I remember back when Ford had something as dull and boring as a GR Corolla.

not sure what you’re getting at.  All I’m saying is we won’t know how successful they were in addressing market concerns and customer wants until we actually see the thing(s)

this is how the tease read to me anyway.

While I don’t like the idea, I guess if it’s going to happen, a JV in the reverse way of the Chinese market ones I guess is the “best” way?

I guess the question is whether this product replaces both Highlander AND Grand Highlander…

They haven’t been in this situation for quite some time with so few vehicle models to sell, so we don’t really know what’s going to happen to their numbers.    I’m having a very difficult time wrapping my mind around the fact that China is flush with Ford vehicles to sell, yet in their home market, the cupboard is bare.  Extraordinarily bad decision-making and no accountability. Now the solution is solely relying on CE1 for replacements of the Escape and presumably the Edge, when it remains very unclear whether the public wants to buy electric vehicles. Not to say I have an issue with the CE1 program, but they need gas models in the interim for these markets.    I’m being lazy and let ChatGPT do the work for me, but for comparison of the number of vehicles and not a debate about demand for sedans verses SUVs:   China Ford Mondeo Ford Mondeo Sport / Mondeo Hybrid (Evos) Ford Taurus Ford Kuga Ford Edge L Ford Explorer Ford Bronco Ford Bronco Sport Ford Equator Ford Equator Sport Ford Mustang Mach-E Ford Ranger Ford F-150 Ford Transit Ford Transit Custom Ford Tourneo USA Mustang Bronco Explorer Expedition Expedition MAX Mustang Mach-E E-Transit Maverick Ranger F-150 Super Duty Who would have ever expected this would be the case. 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ford-ceo-trump-officials-discussed-224022105.html    

In respect to Mercedes, in my younger years, I used to think they were awesome cars and were a reflection of success.  Now that I could actually afford to buy one, they really do not have anything of interest to me and I don’t think they carry the same respect they used to. None of their vehicles stand out to me anymore. It makes me wonder how many people feel the same, which could be part of their problem.

I know - I watched it.

I also liked the paint, 1989 Bronco II in Midnight Blue and a 1995 F150 in White, but the interior tan was most appealing.  I still have the bags that came with the vehicles and I still shop online with them.