There is no conclusive proof that the recall reduced the rate of fire-related deaths in Pintos, which weren't that far out of line with competitive small cars of that era before the recall.

I wonder if the "wellness" pivot the last lady was trying to push had anything to do with them getting a new president, or if she truly was retiring?   That just seemed like a marketing mumbo-jumbo to come up with something while they're in a product transition.

I'd agree we'll probably see the midgate, but regarding the rear seating area, I'd still say at that point, make it a next-gen Maverick with that option - doesn't need to be a completely separate model.  I'd also question how much the average person would use that "switchable" capability of the covered rear cargo for extra seats, as you're also having to install/remove those seats like the "old days" lol.

This close to production, it would be the final bodywork, and we know this is what it's gonna look like, or at least, it's gonna be very close to this visually according to someone who saw it at a dealer meeting. 

I'm pretty sure the 2006+ Mountaineer's taillights were LED....at least the brake lights, but the signal/reverse lights weren't.

My friend's dad had a Pinto back in the day and he said it was one of the best cars he ever owned very reliable and always says it was a later year after they fixed the tank lol

Some Mercurys did get some 'exclusive' features from Fords like the Montego got HIDs and LED tail lights while the Fivehundred couldn't get either.  Strangely the HIDs were dropped when the Sable came around but it did gain projector headlights.  The LED tail lights stayed and IMO looked a lot cooler.  But I think those were the only 2 features it had over it's Ford counterpart.   Milan and Fusion were pretty much the same except LED tail lights and projector headlights on the Milan   Mountaineer actually had a few features over the Explorer when the Aviator was dropped in an attempt to move it more up market like the power running boards, navigation, Clear tail lights not LED strangely, and I think a few other things.  Eventually the Explorer got all those same features later on in that generation minus the tail lights.   Grand Marquis and Crown Vic I believe were 100% the same feature wise, I can't think of any feature the Grand Marquis had over the Crown Vic except maybe the Precision Trac suspension? I have a feeling the CV got it too as an option.   I think Mariner and Escape were pretty much 1 for 1 too can't think of anything there.

Could they go even smaller ala Courier? Not sure if there's much of a market there but would be interesting 

American consumers want the technology and product pricing that them Chinese automakers have to offer. Eventually, those companies will fulfill that demand, whether or not the U.S. government acts upon POTUS' recommendation Let China come in.   https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/business/general-motors-ford-canada-china.html?searchResultPosition=2   Americans already encounter Chinese models on trips to Mexico and will soon begin to see them on visits to Canada or when Canadians drive them across the border. It may become increasingly difficult for U.S. policymakers to explain to Americans why they can’t buy the same attractively priced Chinese electric vehicles available to Canadians and Mexicans.

I was thinking of this new TTP affordable truck that's supposedly a new type of truck.   What if it was a midsized truck with a midgate and a removable rear roof section?  Maybe even with optional 3rd row seats?  Crossover with seating for 6, seating for 4 with enclosed cargo room, seating for 4 with an open bed or seating for 2 with a larger open bed?   Probably unibody with a hybrid powertrain.     That would certainly be different from Maverick and Ranger.