Yes but the post I was replying to suggested “folding the next gen Maverick into the CE1 platform”. 

The Ute-like appearance you describe is what bothers me. This mule almost looks like an old Taurus. Of course a lot of that is due to the camo, which they did a great job on. But one thing the camo can’t hide is the rake of the windshield. It’s too extreme and car like in my opinion. Part of what made the maverick a success and the Santa Cruz a failure is that one looked like a truck and the other did not.   Short hoods generally don’t look good on trucks. I think the gm EV trucks suffer from this a bit. This Toyota is often used as an example of a decent looking short hood. However, it still has a more truck like rake to the windshield. I’m not sure how the short hood and carlike windshield combo will look.  

Just changing the wiring and electronics would be huge.

Incorporating CE1 elements into the next gen Maverick doesn’t mean it has to be an EV. It can be pure ICE or hybrid.

Because an EV Maverick would sell at less than half the rate as the current model and would cannibalize CE1 sales. 

Honestly, the truck being 60 inches and that low to the ground is awesome to me. It almost feels like the return of the Ute. Low, RWD, performance oriented, with styling that at least from the side profile, looks very ute/car like to me. This helps differentiate it from the maverick more imo. 

If anything, the post 2020 Escape was the start of trying to right the ship with costs and that extended to the Bronco Sport and Maverick. The former vehicles have been picked on because of their interior materials though, but seemed to be not as much of a sticking point with the Maverick because of its original price.    The other factor at play here, is why wouldn’t Ford fold the next gen Maverick into the CE1 platform, if it is successful? The size and pricing makes sense for a smaller vehicle, just like the Escape is coming back on the CE1 platform in a few years. 

The good thing is it doesn't look insanely droopy. it still has squared off, blocky truck elements to it. The side profile on the mule looks a little ute life and soft, so I wonder how well it'll mesh with the design under the tarp where you can see some hints of boxier elements like the character lines around the "grille" that essentially just form a big rectangle. 

This morning's updated gas prices in Hamden, CT 06514 (Greater New Haven) $4.09 Regular (Cash or Credit) @ Oasis (Independent - NOT Gulf) No Change $4.19 Regular (Cash) @ Sunoco (No Change) $4.23 Regular (Cash) @ Citgo (Reduced $0.06 from $4.29)        

Which is exactly why they're applying the ce1 cost savings to all the other platforms.