I'd love to see Ford develop a platform that could accommodate an insane amount of top hats while keeping costs low, that would be the dream for sure. As for a 2 door pickup, I don't see it happening, but I could see Ford developing something with a shorter nose to give people a decently large cab and a larger bed. 

It appears way too long for my taste, but if this GM Buick concept is meant to be similar to the Cadillac Celestiq, perhaps a more affordable version, I would say it’s an improvement.  It’s only a concept but overall I like it much better than the Cadillac.  The Buick’s inside looks hideous to me, especially the fabric color and pattern, but the exterior’s smooth aerodynamic shape looks futuristic, like something you’d see in a plane or spaceship. 😀  

So just an interesting thought, with Ford throwing the ranchero name out there, a model that combined car like looks with truck utility, and Farley's comments on how these vehicles will look nothing like people expect to the point where he doesn't know how they'll react, I wonder if this CE1 truck will almost be a more lifestyle oriented vehicle that believes sporty car styling with truck utility.    That's probably a bridge too far, but I've thought of Ford doing such a truck for quite some time. Everything else they make has the boxy conventional truck market pretty locked down. A lifestyle truck with really unique styling that's highly differentiated from the rest of Ford's truck line could be a cool idea. 

I think there is a place for a small 2 door truck, similar to the Slate truck.  I would think the cost to add that as an optional top hat to the platform would be relatively inexpensive, so wouldn't take much volume to make a profit.  I think that's one of the big ideas behind the CE1 platform (Model T moment) is that they'll be able to add additional top hats cost effectively, and have a lot of selection with minimal additional costs

Maybe, but that leads to a fairly long vehicle, so while compact truck by designation, not really all that compact by car standards.  Would leave a void for drivers who want a more maneuverable daily driver.

Hard to believe Honda is going in that direction.  Passengers watching movies in surround sound when average trip is way too short, not to mention most cars only have drivers in them?  No doubt a way for a wealthy buyer to state they have more money than they need, but I’m not sure that’s the right message for Honda to be associated with.  Just doesn’t seem the right type of marketing for a company based on value for common people.

IMO, 2-doors are non-starters.

Because it's Ford and they like to make decisions that don't make sense.....     Interesting.  Sounds about right for Ford to cancel updates and then leave a product way too long on the market without a redesign.  Hopefully the 28 is a thorough one, though if it's only 2 years, it'll probably be like the last gen where they add an extra chrome piece and call it a "refresh".   A new CD6 top hat makes most sense to me for now, which keeps investment costs down until they figure out what to do longer term.  That can't be developed in 3-ish years?

Ranchero seems a great name to revive.  They were popular for over 20 years and I don’t recall any baggage.  Older Rancheros are becoming collectible; and IMO were ahead of their time.  I’m curious though if a new cheap compact electric truck, whether called Ranchero or not, will be offered in single cab and with a useable bed as original Ranchero and Chevy’s El Camino, or if it will only be offered as a 4 door like Maverick.

I agree, ranchero doesn’t sound like the name of a modern truck. Evos is good and I think would fit on any of the new vehicles. Hive is crap. Fuze is too close to Fusion, might as well just use Fusion again. Ford Fathom sounds good but not sure that’s a good name for a vehicle.    I would prefer they reuse the escape name for the suv. Here are some other names that ford has used in the past, internationally, or on concepts that I think would work well:   Triton Reflex Falcon Galaxie Cougar Puma ikon equator escort flex Territory