It is even easier then that-Ford wants to push the Dark Horse branding because it ties into the various racing series that the Mustang is involved in.
Here is the other thing- Baby Boomers are just about past their prime to be buying a car like this, Gen X is much smaller, didn't really relate to the Shelby name as much and younger generations are further detached from it.
From a marketing perspective, its a better for Ford to have new branding vs using something that is 60-70 years old and costs what I assume to be a ridiculous amount of money for the return it might get
This is probably a good place to post this. There are a bunch of videos about the Rouge plant, but this is one of the better ones. There's also one about the explosion on Feb 1, 1999. I think all the money Ford has spent and lost on EV's, building a new headquarters and tearing down the old one could have been better spent rebuilding the Rouge plant. The only thing they didn't make were the tires! Ford would be able to put out a car at 50 to 75% off the current prices, blowing away the competition!
(1542) Trip Through Time The Inside Tour of the Ford Motor Company River Rouge Plant Original Film - YouTube
Yep, a few decades ago, Ford was near the top, now they are being left behind.
I don't know why you are so defensive.
I am not going to dispute your list, but most of those items were developed, co-developed, or built by suppliers, not Ford. Ford's first all-aluminum product wasn't the F-150, it was the Jaguar XJ.
Most innovation in the Auto industry is in electric vehicles, not ICE; the list reflects that reality.
Canada agrees to cut tariff on Chinese EVs | AP News
I can foresee that Chinese automakers looking to buy underutilized Canadian Auto factories to establish a production hub there.