The cupra does look really nice for what it is, it's funny how you mentioned that because I've also thought a design like that would suit the Capri name better than what we got.    On one hand, I get it, doing new body stampings is extremely expensive, so I try to understand why Ford wanted to carry over as many body panels as possible, but on the other hand, like you said, it's arguably worth the additional investment just to have a better design that stands on its own.    I'm genuinely concerned Ford's gonna repeat this mistake with the mustang sedan. In theory, the mustang sedan is gonna need new body stampings compared to the coupe because of the longer wheelbase, so a new body side, I'd imagine the roofline and decklid is also different for obvious reasons, and as such, will also require unique stampings.    For that reason, if they're already having to invest in new stampings for a significant portion of the body as is, I'd kinda prefer it if the mustang sedan had its own unique design, something fresh that doesn't just look like an s650 with 4 doors.    I just fear that because the reception to the s650s design has been lukewarm, by the time the sedan arrives in 2-3 years or more, if it looks like an s650, it's gonna look kinda dated and tired, and that might turn some buyers off. A fresh design that potentially even influences the future styling of the next coupe generation would be neat to see. 

The recalls are comin' nonstop at Ford. Literally nonstop in the case of the latest one:     Ford Motor Company is recalling 312,120 vehicles due to a potential loss of brake assist that can increase the risk of a crash. The U.S. auto giant is recalling five different models of Ford vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.   The recall affects the following models: 2025 Ford Bronco 2025 Ford Expedition 2025 Ford F-150 2025 Ford Ranger 2025 Lincoln Navigator RCLRPT-25V488-4203.pdf

Bronco Sport is still up 10k YTD.   In fact all current vehicles except Transit is up YTD.

Well for one, the Cupra (Seat) Tavascan is on MEB, similar size but way more appropriate styling as a Capri. It’s like Ford really didn’t care about sufficient differentiation or styling over the Explorer that or blocked by VW? but even then, still a bit wide through the body (unavoidable?)

Couldn't agree more, I'm of the mindset that due to the very large size of the crossover market, there's more than enough demand for Ford to offer multiple body styles to appeal to different kinds on buyers, boxier stuff like BS and coupe style crossovers like mach-e, both are aspirational iconic products, just with very different flavors so to speak.    I also agree with your take on the MEB stuff. I don't hate the explorer, it's just kinda uninspired imo, there are certain angles and design details that look quite appealing, but as a whole, it's pretty dull. The Capri on the other hand is very awkward looking, particularly because it's limited by the hard points of the MEB platform, but additionally because it shares so much sheet metal with the explorer to save on costs. Trying to blend the boxier explorer design with a fastback roofline just does not work. Then you have the stub nose on top of that.    I say throw the Capri and explorer designs in the bin, and take more styling inspiration from the bronco family for future rugged crossovers, and inspiration from puma and mach-e for street based on road performance crossovers. 

Makes me wonder if some of the lower sales observed are a result of pull forward with deals in June, the fact that Ford is offering 0% finance over 48 months with zero down for first three months  tells me that the sales market is getting extremely competitive and Ford avoiding cutting prices and accepting fewer sales as a consequence?   Without getting political, $800 million hit due to tariffs is hard to ignore, Ford eating the costs?

There’s quite a few things that determine output - number of shifts 1, 2 or 3 X 8 hour or variations like 2 X 10 hour  - number of days worked per week, 5, 6 or 7 - line speed, number of cars made per hour.   Normally, the body/paint shop will work more shifts vs assembly/final trim. the idea is to enough bodies made and painted to keep the other parts of the  plant running at constant line speed as most parts are supplied just in time.   When Louisville produced 430k in one year, that was three shifts running 7 days a week with fairly quick line speed.

Overall, it was a good performance, though it is weird to see the Bronco Sport down. I still don't find any sense in losing the Escape volume and trying to replace it 1-2 years later with an EV.   On the other hand, Lincoln seems to be slowing down, the Nautilus is down and the Navi seems to have lost the effect of the 2024 models? I hope the 2025 model accomplishes more than 1.4k-1.7k units per month because that was the level achieved by the last gen.   

Agree and that unfortunately is kind of the way Ford is heading, designing for American tastes but perhaps not capturing the alternative softer styling that many buyers also like….it is possible to do two vehicles instead of forcing the issue with just one vehicle.   Also, Puma is Fiesta /subcompact size and a lot smaller in person than the pictures convey….but man, they look nice.     With the MEB based BEVs, we see what happens when bulbous styling results from in between choices when’re the vehicles are neither swoopy rounded or boxy American. That sort of styling kind of misses the mark even though those Euro sales improve, it could be that buyers are being forced into a vehicle style that not what they prefer.   The sleeker swoopy styling probably represents the modern take on a car while the boxy utility is the epitome of space utilisation and good to live with as that other daily driver so people buy one of each in a two vehicle family?

The engineers who basically live at the track and have thousands of laps under their belt are professional race car drivers lol.