Yea, electric vehicles and all that advanced driver assist/robotaxi stuff, along with new manufacturing processes, are the sources of most innovation in the Auto industry.    Ford should be makin' a lot of progress in those areas thanks to the skunkworks. Wouldn't be surprised if Ford's patent grants in 2026 and 2027 are much higher.   At the same time, akirby clarified some important points about the nature of patents, especially being a patent owner himself. That's why I added the qualification that while patents can be a proxy for innovation, they are an imperfect one.

Because you bash Ford and give them no credit just because they don't do what you want them to do.

I've likened it to a company who partnered with Disney 70 years ago at a reasonable price, and the partnership was a no brainer because Disney was at the top of their game taking bold risks and winning big, with an incredible reputation. But if Disney started hurting their reputation by half adding films, and only making remakes of their hits instead of still trying to innovate, and on top of that said they wanted you to start paying 20 million a year to license their product, what would you do? You'd cut ties with them and go find another scrappy partner that had the same magic of Disney at their prime. 

Yea, I got to test drive the Daytona (EV) version of the Charger. Big step up in every way from its predecessor, even though was a 3 door instead of a 4 door. It's also just...BIG. 🤣   In case anyone is wonderin', Maverick won the truck award and Palisade won the SUV award  

Here's something else to consider as well, I made the case that Multimatic is the new Shelby. They've partnered extensively with Ford on things like the GTD, Gt, bronco DR, and racecars, which echos Ford's partnership with Shelby back in the 60s where they were making the gt40 and mustangs with Ford. Furthermore, when Shelby was at their best, they were on the cutting edge of innovation experimenting with things like radical aero, chassis development, and powertrain tech. There was even a sketch from the 60s showing them thinking about doing active spoilers on a mustang, that's how far ahead they were.    That innovative spirit is lost on the current Shelby, which has sadly become a glorified tuning company. But you know who it still describes perfectly? Multimatic.    They're the people building the fastest and coolest cars in the world, like the Valkyrie. That's who I want Ford to be partnered with when making kickass performance cars, not a company who puts ram truck looking grille inserts and stripes on a mustang and says "That'll be 30 grand". 

It is because they were...

https://moparinsiders.com/2026-dodge-charger-earns-north-american-car-of-the-year-honors/   Ford doesn't really have a competitor to the new Charger but it will be interesting to see how or if the market responds to this vehicle.   For the past few years, sedan buyers have a choice of Korean, Japanese or German sedans.   Now there is an American nameplate although built in Canada and owned by Stellantis.   I have been following the reviews of the ICE powered version and they have been quite positive with only a couple of outliers.    Some don't like the sound of the straight six and there are the "muscle car" purists who think Dodge should make crude sh*tboxes with V8s for $30,000.   I have test driven the new Charger with its 550 HP straight six.   This car makes the old Chargers feel like 50 year old farm implements.   It is also a big step up from the now dead Impala and Taurus.   I have always been a Lincoln buyer but switched to a BMW M550i when Lincoln stopped making sedans.    I found the Charger to be exceptionally refined, comfortable and near luxury level.   Calling it a "muscle car" or a Mustang competitor makes no sense to me at all.   It is more of a grand touring car that is very quiet and comfortable, yet pretty quick.   It is also very roomy and practical.   They probably should have offered the 4 door version first but I much prefer the 2 door.      Compared to my BMW, the Charger I drove was equal in fit & finish and overall refinement.    The ride was maybe a slightly firmer but that could simply be related to tire pressure.    I had no opportunity to compare handling quality.   However, reviewers who drove it on the Tail of the Dragon were impressed.    The lack of wind and road noise was excellent; as good as my BMW, which is about as good as it gets.    The interior of the Charger with the top line package is very striking and can be compared to much more expensive vehicles.    The straight six, while smooth, lacks the performance of my V8 BMW and certainly lacks the beautiful V8 sound quality.    It is quicker, however than the old Chargers with the 392 Hemi and far better than any other sedan in its price range.    Fortunately,  the Charger will be available with the Hemi V8s including the Hellcat version within a year.   However large or small the sedan market is, this car deserves to be considered and not just by the Mopar faithful.    In price, it bridges the gap between the low cost Asians and the higher cost Germans.   I will certainly be interested when the Hellcat version arrives.  

Union or company sources?

Don't worry.....in between now and the proposed launch date - the product will be cancelled and the factory either renamed or sold. 

sure, but the Sport Trac of that era is essentially a current 4-door Ranger (which wasn’t offered at the time).   i don’t see what a current da Sport Trac (I.e. Explorer-based) would really offer that would make it a worthwhile addition to the lineup