Pretty much. I like what JPD is proposing. But a ranger hybrid would appeal to someone like a maverick owner who wanted a larger, more capable truck, or someone who wanted a pro power hybrid that was smaller, and more affordable than an f-150. Whereas the CE1 thing appeals to an entirely different demographic.    With them talking about performance and driving engagement, design, and having lots of customization according to people who've seen it, that makes the CE1 truck sound a lot more lifestyle oriented than something like a ranger. 

Excellent article in today's Detroit News about how Ford plans to make EV's profitable.  Of course it's behind a paywall.  This statement from Farley stands out:   "We dealt decisively with the reality of the market," Ford CEO Jim Farley said this week on an earnings call, "and shifted our focus of our EV business to a high-volume, affordable end of the market."   https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2026/02/13/ford-model-e-profitable-2029-earnings-ev/88622942007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z11xx60p119750c119750v11xx60d--46--b--46--&gca-ft=65&gca-ds=sophi  

This is just a personal opinion, but Mercedes throwing some mediocre 2.0L turbo in 75% of the vehicles they sell does not scream "aspirational" to me. They've wiped away everything that once made them unique. 

For me, the modest improvement in MPG is welcome, but it is the additional power and capability that is very appealing.

Gotcha.  Powerboost is the way to go.  I think some hear hybrid ranger or bronco and think it's going to get 40 mpg like Maverick.

I don't think JV's with Chinese auto manufacturers is necessarily a problem, but if they drag Chinese suppliers over that could be.  That's the concern of GM and others.  

A hybrid Ranger in North America would likely have the same hybrid system as the F-150 Powerboost. The non-hybrid F-150 3.5 4WD is rated at 16/24/19. The F-150 3.5 4WD Powerboost is rated at 22/24/23 (a 21% improvement).   The Ranger 4WD 2.3 is rated at 19/26/22. If a Ranger 4WD 2.3 Powerboost achieved about the same improvement as the F-150 Powerboost, then I would expect about 25/26/26 (probably slightly better due to Ranger being ~500 pounds lighter).   But it's not only about MPG. If they don't de-tune a Ranger Powerboost (like they did the Ranger PHEV), then it would be in the neighborhood of 360 HP and 500 lb-ft of torque which would be exceptionally fun and fantastic for towing. With Pro Power Onboard it would be even more appealing.

Never buy gas, no fluids to change, massive acceleration.  Same as every other BEV.   It's not a question of converting ICE buyers.  It's giving those who want an EV a smaller less expensive truck option.

There are three ways traffic signals work. A) Timer mode, B) Loop sensor (under the asphalt) mode, C) Camera detection. With intersections I'm familiar with. I can with 95% accuracy tell when a signal is going to turn red and when it will turn green. There are sometimes variations, but with practice, you can figure it out.      Timer controlled: Usually signals will offer a green light to the major artery for 30 to 60 seconds depending on how they programmed it, while offering a green light to the intersecting or minor artery for 10 seconds. If I come across a low-volume side street getting more than 10 seconds, I notify the DOT or municipality and they fix it. Once you figure it out, you can time yourself so that you don't have to come to a dead stop.  Brake wear is greater bringing a 3000 lb. vehicle to a DEAD stop, rather than a slow roll. So by the time I get to the light, it turns green.       Loop sensor mode and Camera detection: Both operate by detecting the presence and absence of vehicles approaching on both roadways. The main artery will get priority so you don't have to race up to a red light and jam on your brakes on the major artery. After all or most of the minor artery traffic has passed through, the major artery will get the green. Now if you're on the side street or minor artery, you do need to pull all the way up so the sensors detect your presence IF you're the FIRST approaching. But if somebody ahead of you has triggered the system, you do NOT have to race up to the light. Just back off the gas slightly, tap your brakes if necessary and by the time you get up to the car in front of you, the light will turn green. With practice you'll figure this all out. So who needs START/STOP?      Camera detection is better at detecting low-mass vehicles such motorcycles and maybe some very small cars. Many signals are programmed so if the major artery detects a huge absence, it will default to red and offer a green light to the side street/minor artery even if there are no cars on the side street!     What does this all mean? I've gotten 100K to 150K on a set of brakes. Furthermore, I don't floor it at green and have to get up to speed in 500 feet. I take a half a mile. That's why if the mfr. says I should get 25 MPG on average, I get 31.  

Better packaging, better reliability, lower cost of ownership, more refinement.