For 2019 vehicles.   I don't think you guys understand what they're doing.  They're trying to find all existing defects and fix them voluntarily now rather than wait until they're forced to recall them.  A lot of these wouldn't even qualify for a forced recall by the ntsb.     IF they've truly fixed a lot of the underlying root causes then this will mean a drastic reduction in recalls and defects going forward.  They'll never be zero and there may be more older ones yet to be identified but it's not nearly as bad as it sounds.

What about the fresh thinking engineers at the skunkworks? Will they be able to make up for the losses elsewhere within FoMoCo?

That's hilarious.  

Yea, exactly. Hopefully the outsiders that Doug Field brought to Ford’s skunkworks will teach that concept to the Ford big shots whose mode of thinking is “short term and shortcuts”.

But GM, like VW, has been able to weather the storm of bugs, mistakes, and the learning needed to sustain their electric vehicle platforms and launch improvements and increase affordability.   No pain, no gain.   Learn to Crawl before you walk.    There are no short cuts in Life or EVs

The scary part is, I think Ford has lost the ability to do this. Their engineering has atrophied so much that they will be unable to respond to market changes.   Remember, FOE was Ford's small-vehicle center of excellence. It's gone; product development has been outsourced to competitors or China.    If this happens Ford's best may be an acquisition, merger, or be acquired.

It's a small recall, but Ford already starting 2026 with a recall lol...   2019 Ford Expedition SUVs Recalled Over Warning Chime Issue

The 21-23 Nautilus is a great vehicle and probably cheaper than a new Edge.

I meant killing platforms capable of hosting sedans.  If they killed C2 and didn't replace it then yes there would be a concern that if the market shifts to small unibody vehicles that Ford would be in trouble.  As long as they have c2 and cd6/mustang they're fine and can change top hats as needed.  I also think the new truck platform for Tennessee will be unibody.

Ford owned small stakes in both Hyundai and Kia at different stages.    Ford exchanged technology license for small stakes in Hyundai in late 1960s and Hyundai began by assembly and selling Fords in Korea. Ford broke up with Hyundai around 1980 after they couldn't work out a renewal on technology cooperation - Hyundai wanted in on Ford's next gen engine and platform (they were mainly interested in FWD Mk3 Escort) but that didn't fit with Ford's plan which was to switch to Mazda platforms in APAC region. Instead of introducing next gen Escort and Sierra in APAC, Ford went with Mazda based Laser and Telstar. Ironically, Hyundai decided to just reuse what it had already so Stellar was basically a Mk5 Cortina with a new body on it and Mitsubishi engine.   Ford invested in Kia with Mazda a few years later. Kia had an existing partnership with Mazda but Kia was shut down by the Korea Govt in 1981 as the military junta favored Hyundai monopoly for passenger cars. in 1986, Kia was allowed to restart car production so Mazda and Ford both invested in Kia to help it restart operation. Around the same time, Ford commissioned Mazda to design a subcompact car to slot below Escort for US market (Festiva) and they farmed out the production to Kia that became Kia's first real success. Ford and Mazda remained Kia's main foreign investors and technology partner until Kia's bankruptcy.    When Kia when belly up in 1998 as fall out from the Asian financial crisis, Ford was the only other bidder for the business besides Hyundai. In fact, Ford's initial bid was higher than Hyundai which didn't really wanted Kia but was forced by the Korean Govt to submit a competing bid. Ford was seen as the odds on favorite to gain control of Kia but Ford wouldn't guarantee that it will not shut down the Kia brand or layoff any Kia employees so the Korean union lobbied hard against Ford. Eventually the Korea Govt basically told Hyundai to match Ford's offer and Ford knew it had no chance and withdrew its bid.   Around the same time Mazda got into financial difficulties and Ford gained effective control of Mazda with 1/3 ownership. So after the unsuccessful Kia bid, Ford plowed a lot of resources into Mazda instead, including combining Mazda and Ford in Taiwan and expanding Auto Alliance in Thailand. Goes without saying that Ford's footprint in APAC would be a lot different if it had gain control of Kia.