It’s stupid’: why western carmakers’ retreat from electric risks dooming them to irrelevance    

Usually, in those totaled Tesla cases, it was the battery case the was damaged and that is an expensive component to repair. In the case of Mega / Giga / Uni -casting of major structural components of a vehicle, in the case of a totaled car, the dismantling yard will see a large increase in the amount of aluminum that is recyclable. Should be an interesting time down at the scrap yard in the next few years. 

Exactly. While Tesla did not invent the process it did mainstream it:   https://www.automotivemanufacturingsolutions.com/editors-pick/production-minimalism-how-megacasting-is-reshaping-automotive-manufacturing/660564

I am not buying this just yet.  Based on what I see, Tesla's are difficult and expensive to repair after an accident tend to total out more easily than other cars, EV's included.  Giga-castings are certainly a manufacturing advantage, but replacing these large structures after an accident presents a whole set of new problems.  From what I understand it these aluminum castings often cannot be repaired.   Google search 'Totaled Tesla Model Y' and see what comes up.   Seems to me that any advantages Giga-castings represent are on the manufacturing side.  The owner gets a throw-away car that's more expensive to insure.   

Deming NM, Thursday 3-19-26:  Valero 91 Octane $4.39

The more important question would be how would a SUV based on Maverick distinguish itself from a Bronco Sport? One way I can figure is that a Maverick SUV would be available as a FWD only variant with hybrid options of course and more room (longer wheelbase) for rear seat passengers. It is going to get muddled if/when Maverick and Bronco Sport move closer to each other stylistically.

This morning's updated gas prices in Hamden, CT 06514 (Greater New Haven) $3.99 Regular (Cash) @ Citgo (Increased $0.20 from $3.79)  

But Ford has positioned the BS as “premium” - the Maverick based SUV was supposed to slot below it, so how would it make sense for a BS truck to slot below the Maverick?

Hey jpd80 my friend, would vehicles that are competitive in Europe and Asia necessarily be competitive in Australia? Or are Australian car buyers a different breed with preferences that diverge from buyers in Europe and Asia?   You know the Australia market as well as anyone here, so your thoughts are appreciated 😊

Yea, outsourcing didn't solve the problem of unnecessary complexity in Ford's engineering and manufacturing processes and in certain respects made it worse.   Radical change is what Ford needs. Sounds like that's finally comin' to fruition thanks to the efforts at the skunkworks and CE1 products.