Ford invested on new models that are doing much worse (VW-based Explorer EV and Capri EV) than the models they killed off like the Fiesta and Focus.  Kia did a smart move by merging two similar sized models. Ford's problem is it is reverting back to its pre-One Ford self. Developing regional models even if they belong to segments common globally. The Bronco Sport could have been a hit in Asia-Pacific if Ford utilized its plants in Thailand, but it didn't. The Ford Puma belongs to the subcompact CUV segment that is common globally, particularly in rest of the world markets outside of the USA and Canada, but it chooses to mainly build it and sell it in Europe (with attempts to export it to a few markets where it ended up being overpriced because it was imported from Europe.) Ford probably spent as much as Toyota when they developed the current Escape and the outgoing Rav4. In 2024 Toyota's RAV4 outsold the Escape+Kuga around 3.6 to 1. Basically, Toyota maximizes its profits through global economies of scale with its global Rav4 compared to Ford which relies heavily on USA, Canada, UK, Germany, and Denmark for Escape and Kuga sales.

https://interestingengineering.com/energy/evs-could-save-90-charging-costs    

From the Detroit News:   "following multiple fires this fall at a Novelis Inc. aluminum plant in New York. It'll hire a new third crew of 1,200 employees at Dearborn Truck in 2026 to make up for lost production".   https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2025/12/15/ford-model-e-q4-charge-ev-2029-profitable-f-150-lightning-erev-skon-blueoval/87778986007/#:~:text=F-150s following multiple fires this,make up for lost production.

Has Ford scheduled any extra weekend shifts to catch up on production?

Kia K4 sales are down this year even compared to K4/Forte sales last year and Kia overall hitting record sales in the US in 2025.    Kia used to have two compact cars between the Forte/Cerato and the Ceed. The global compact market is so bad that the K4 has replaced both.    Why should Ford invest in a dying market with little return?

Yes, they seem to exist in an alternate universe from Ford where they still build vehicles in segments Ford abandoned. This is the Kia K4 (formerly known as the Forte), its predecessors competed in the same segment as the Ford Focus. The upcoming compact Ford Bronco PHEV better be a Euro version of the next Bronco Sport. If it isn't, Ford will just be building multiple redundant vehicles.

In other EV news, Geely just had to bail out Polestar again: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/polestar-secures-600-million-loan-majority-owner-geely-holding-2025-12-16/  

Which is a logical move. Are there any c2 products planned for the NA market that you know of beyond the maverick suv/van?

How so? I don't see a ton of overlap between an electric ute and a sporty crossover. They'll both be RWD, relatively fast EVs, and somewhat affordable, but those are some relatively basic similarities.    The driving dynamics, design, interior layout, packaging, and size will all be completely different. I do hope we get a CE1 mach-e. 

Remember that this was a decision for Ford Argentina. Since Ford ended Brazilian production of the Ka, Fiesta, Focus, and EcoSport, they have the Ranger/Everest in Argentina and the Transit in Uruguay.    They also import in the Maverick, BS, Mustang, Territory, etc. But they do not make cheap vehicles anymore.