I don't know about that, I'm a young millennial, basically a year off being gen z, and I look forward to the day where I'm able to buy an ICE mustang, a V8 specifically. The passion is still there with younger enthusiasts, and the connection to a V8 muscle car is still there.    Is it possible that Ford one day offers an EV mustang coupe instead of an ICE variant, but I believe that say is way into the future. The mustang is the most iconic car Ford has, arguably the most iconic car in the world, or near the top. So Ford needs to do whatever it takes to keep the coupe around.    Once the mustang coupe is gone, Ford basically ceases to be Ford. I'm betting that's one of the main vehicle programs getting the skunkworks approach moving forward. 

The people who buy GTs, Dark Horse and Shelby are mostly a bay boomers and Gen X. Once their number die away, Ford will end ICE Mustang, they’re keeping the door open for them

Stubborn bloody mindedness, Ford had to know that the more extreme , the design became the lower the interest and fewer the buyers.   Stupid is as stupid does, they nearly went over the cliff into the abyss….

Not following you

Unfortunately, the only way Ford seems to learn is by the pain of crippling losses. Hopefully the recent large losses are enough to sharpen its focus on what’s important.

Model Split: EcoBoost/Base: Appeals to younger, first-time buyers seeking affordability. GT/High Performance: Targets an older, often wealthier demographic focusing on heritage and power. Mustang Mach-E: Attracts a different, younger, and more tech-savvy, eco-conscious consumer Once again, Ford is missing its actual buyer base….

The three row is what happens when you chase spreadsheet data and engineering objectives over product appeal. A lot of engineers seem to struggle with this, where they can get really into the numbers, the engineering geekiness, without realizing that frankly, most people outside of them don't give a damn about all of that.    They just want a good product. Sometimes that engineering obsession can yield incredible results, which is what we're hoping for with the UEV platform. But other times it results in a spreadsheet dream machine that's a nightmare to actual customers, like the three row. 

To be honest when I look at the product I’m shocked it made it so far in developement. It would’ve failed and been overpriced and underwhelming. Well, Ford needs too listen to customers more that’s forsure.  Cancelling this oversized Prius was a good decision although it didn’t seem like it to me at the time.

how many 20/30 somethings even know who Carroll Shelby was?

Also, remember the context of the time with Ford cancelling its contract with Rivian for a three row Lincoln Utility….. Ford engineering had brass kill that plan and double down on its proposed three row BEV Utility.   Ford could pick any design and style it wanted for a three row Utility  but ultimately it shoes that low riding wedged looking crossover  mainly because it was way behind on battery range. Ford chose to keep developing something because they were on a mission and completely lost sight of the fact that it has to engage potential buyers. The reason Ford cancelled so damned late tells you that Ford stopped  listening to buyers many years before (thank you Doug Field)   There is a theory within Ford that Farley leaned into BEVs the way that Bill Ford how investing so much money was no guarantee of success…