That's a good point about next-gen Explorer and Aviator at this point.  I'm guessing they'll just end up being rebodied with some modifications to lower costs.  I can't see them switching back to T6 or something like that as some have mentioned.     I don't mind Navicross (even if that might be better for a coupe type thing).  Absolutely not for the Mark __ name......they tried that years ago and it just confused everyone.  leave that in the dustbin.     Except, to warrant having the more offroad type ones, you'll need the regular ones to justify it.     I think everyone has run with the "Lincoln Bronco" thing, but I think what's really happening is we'll see a T6-based model that will use Everest as a starting point, perhaps with a more boxy silhouette.  If you're not having the model have removable doors and roof, there's really no point in using Bronco as a starting point, as you'd have to rip up so much when they already have a "regular" vehicle construction platform mate.     No need to revive an old GM Isuzu rebadge name of Ascender. I still think it's dumb to reuse a Mercury name....they've worked hard to shed a rebadged image, and borrowing that name just seems lazy to me.     No thanks. I also don't like any of those names except Sentinel.  Give it something more modern/"strong".     I think this was done more as a design exercise, but I don't see them making a 2-door version.

No

Ford Wants to Fix Your Car the Same Day - Autoblog   Despite a dizzying number of recalls over the last few years, Ford is confident that its quality-improvement strategy will reap positive results for buyers. In 2025, Ford CEO Jim Farley said its powertrain durability is now on par with Toyota’s. But the Blue Oval is also working hard to improve all areas of the customer experience, and that now includes the time it takes to have your Ford repaired. Given that Ford dealers complete 35 million repair orders annually, getting them done faster will be highly impactful. The company has now shared its bold ambition to help franchised dealership service departments achieve same-day vehicle repairs.   In 2025, Ford launched an initiative known as Uptime Assist. Dealerships can enroll in it for free, with the goal being to achieve same-day customer repairs. While that hasn’t been achieved yet, Ford says it has already managed to cut hours off repair times. The service revolves around a team of 25 employees based in Michigan. This team, together with hundreds more based at global call centers, monitors each new repair order opened by dealerships. Should an order take longer than two days, Ford is alerted. The dealer is then contacted to find out if they require additional technical support or assistance in ordering parts. The dealer can also proactively contact Ford if a specific repair proves especially complex.

I wonder if it's a manual Sasquatch.....   Blue Oval Regrets Manual Ford Bronco Sasquatch Debacle   Turns out, this particular oversight is also something that The Blue Oval regrets, perhaps unsurprisingly. “Um, yeah, launching with the Sasquatch package obviously was a disruptor to this segment, and even to like the off-road kind of industry, right?” Bronco development engineer Seth Goslawski told The Drive in a recent interview. “It kind of set a new bar, I would say."

Ford Recalls - 2026 Version     Ford Recalls 412,774 Explorer SUVs Again Over Rear Suspension Fracture Risk - Autoblog Ford is recalling certain 2017-2019 Explorer SUVs because their rear suspension toe links may fracture. Some 412,774 vehicles are affected, but what makes this recall particularly irritating for owners is that it concerns a problem that has plagued the SUV in the past. The NHTSA says that this is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall 21V537, in which 644,055 examples of the 2013-2017 Explorer were named. In other words, upgrading to the newer 2017-2019 Explorer hasn’t rid owners of the problem.   Ford Latest Recall Crisis Leaves Thousands Of SUVs Stuck Without A Fix | Carscoops We haven’t even hit March yet, but Ford has already racked up more recalls than Hyundai and General Motors combined. They’re now cementing that lead with an expanded recall that involves 24,690 crossovers including plug-in hybrid versions of the 2023-2025 Escape and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair.   Ford Truck Recall: 4.4 Million Trucks Affected Update: The original version of this story stated that over-the-air updates would be deployed in May. Ford confirmed that those OTA updates will actually begin on March 17. The story has been updated. Ford Motor Company is recalling over 4 million vehicles due to a software issue. Several models, including the automaker’s best-selling F-150 pickup, might have an integrated trailer module (ITM) that could lose communication capability with the vehicle. This could prevent a trailer’s brake lights and indicators from functioning.   The recall affects the 2022-2026 Ford F-250, the 2026 Ford E-Transit, the 2022-2026 Lincoln Navigator, the 2022-2026 Ford Expedition, the 2022-2026 Ford Maverick, the 2024-2026 Ford Ranger, and the 2021-2026 Ford F-150. The Ford F-Series accounts for the bulk of the recall—3.4 million vehicles. Ford is recalling 412,105 Mavericks, 317,604 Expeditions, 129,836 Rangers, and 75,029 Navigators. The recall affects 4,380,609 models   According to the recall report, a software vulnerability "allows for a potential race condition" to occur between the ITM and CAN Standby Control bit. A race condition occurs when multiple processes access shared data at the same time, with the results depending on execution order, and it’s this unpredictable timing that can cause the failure.  

Chrysler’s 2027 Pacifica Shows Its Face, And It Clearly Has A Favorite Detroit Cousin | Carscoops    

Hyundai's Toyota Tacoma Rival Will Be More Rugged Than the Santa Cruz - Autoblog     The Santa Cruz is pretty much the only Hyundai that is unpopular, selling just over 32,000 units last year versus the Ford Maverick’s 155,000, but the Korean automaker’s next attempt at luring Ford and Toyota pickup buyers to its dealerships will have several differences. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a couple of years to see exactly how the new midsize pickup will differ, reports Australia’s CarExpert, but the good news is that we already have several clues. We’ll discuss those momentarily, but first, let’s see what the latest is. Speaking with local media Down Under, Hyundai Australia chief operating officer Gavin Donaldson said the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger rival is scheduled to launch around 2028, but there’s still a lot to do between now and then.         ---     Unknown if this would come to the US.

If it is a new power train, hybrid is the only thing that makes sense. And that will be interesting to watch, because if they don't also deploy it in the Ranger at the same time, then we know the Ranger in it's current form is being dropped. If it is deployed in the Ranger, then it lives on.

I had a go, I know one of them looks a little Lexus-ish with the side sheet metal, but it gives you a rough idea. I prefer the front end of the two door version, and the side of the four door.    I think something where they take the rectangular grille of the bronco, and blend that with the horizontal light bar Lincoln was would look unique and classy. 

The market didn’t change - Ford just abandoned it.