Exactly - they didn't invest in them, then wonder where sales go.   Software changes are great, but nah, doesn't count when most people won't even notice.

Mach e’s problem is it’s been 5.5 years without a refresh and its price. Its basically 40k for its base trim with 260 mile range. There are plenty of models out there like the Tesla model 3, model y, and equinox ev that are similarly priced or cheaper and get 320 miles of range, often also having more options.   I’d imagine the new suv built on the uev platform will have a similar size to the mach e but have better range and a cheaper price. If we are talking strictly compact suv ev’s, this vehicle is the mach e’s replacement. If you are talking about a compact performance SUV’s, then who knows what it’s replacement will be.

Even Tesla has run into the inevitable result of that, with sales declines of Model S and Model X.   Didn’t some big shot at Tesla make BS claim they were making changes to the vehicles’ software every week or somethin’, so that counted as “refreshing” and improving the products as they aged?

The Nissan cube had the weird carpet dash thing...

Mercedes VLE Review: Will It Work For America?   Mercedes-Benz wants to sell a van in the United States—not just any van, but a desirable van. For a country that sees vans (in the mini variety) as nothing more than family haulers and (in the full-size variety) utilitarian objects, this is more than just brave. For an automaker as large as Mercedes, it’s an uncharacteristically large gamble. It’s not just one van, either; Mercedes plans to sell three vans in America: the VLE, the upper-class VLS, and the ultra-luxury VLS Maybach. All hitting slightly different segments of the market, all of them aiming for the premium upper end. Not only is Mercedes swinging for the moon here, but it’s also throwing all of its weight behind the effort. The big question is: Are Americans ready for a $130,000 luxury van? Mercedes certainly thinks so. I'm not as confident.         This move is doomed to fail, IMO.....   unless they want to target the livery market, which may be their only shot.

Especially in China, fresh product is needed, and Ford's ever extending product cycles, it's no wonder sales have dropped.   I know Teslas have had long product cycles, but they're the exception, not the rule.   It does also make sense that at a certain point when they knew they were moving to CE1, it didn't make sense to move forward with too much further work on Mach E.

I contend that one of the biggest drags on Mach E is Ford not updating the charge port from CCS to NACS even though they agreed to utilize NACS going forward since 2023....

To be fair, for awhile, the mach-e sold very well for an EV, and was one of the most popular non Tesla EVs. Where I live, it's mostly Tesla's, mach-es, and Rivians. You'll see another EV every so often like a ID buzz in orange, which looked really neat for a van, but they're a lot less common.    The lack of refreshes and major changes really hurt the mach-e. I remember when it came out, we were told there were high performance trims for instance that would slot above the gt, and it just never happened. We should have gotten the second gen by name if Ford was sticking to their original timeline. They do this over and over, release a compelling product, and then let it die. 

This morning's updated gas prices in Hamden, CT 06514 (Greater New Haven) $3.76 Regular (Cash or Credit) @ Oasis (Independent - NOT Gulf) Reduced $0.13 from $3.89 $3.99 Regular (Cash) @ Sunoco (No Change) $4.06 Regular (Cash) @ Citgo (Reduced $0.03 from $4.09))            

Honestly, IDK. Because the truck seems somewhat performance oriented, RWD with mustang Ecoboost levels of acceleration, and a lot of downforce. That sounds pretty sporty. We also know Farley has talked about using the platform for a RWD sporty sedan.    I had a though, and I hope I'm wrong, but maybe the design is the hangup. The mach-e looks great, but it does certain things that prioritize looks over aero efficiency, like having a longer hood, and more upright front end. Maybe it was a case that to make it fit with this new aero efficient mentality that's a guiding force for skunkworks, they were gonna have to give it completely different proportions and shapes, and at that point, the product loses a lot of its appeal.    I hope that's not the case, because I don't want everything on this platform to be a stub nose thing. But it's one of the only reasons I can think of.