As luck would have it, we've got a Raptor outside. I just took the keys and checked - tailgate is power down and power up.   I don't think the flip up glass is super plausible on this realistically. I think it could be done, but I think it won't be the route the designers take. This does bring up another thought about rear glass, though. I know there isn't an option on any Maverick to have rear window defrost. If they're going to have it on this thing, they'll either have to have the glass connected to the truck for the electrical connection, or have a quick-disconnect or press-connect if the glass is removable. Or, like the Maverick, just not offer rear defrost.

A bit of contrast to break things up perhaps? Then again, the truck being super low, around 60 inches tall, maybe it'll look pretty sleek as is. 

Yeah, my dad has some shoulder issues, and sometimes has problems putting his tailgate back up on his '17 Raptor.  He'd love one of the power (up) tailgates, but I don't think the Raptor offers those.   Are you meaning like a flip up glass?  Don't think that's possible with the setup of what we have seen so far.

I just had a customer point out how much weight difference there can be in tailgates. He was commenting that a 26 F-150 on our lot had a tailgate that was so much lighter than his 23. That didn't make sense until he mentioned he had the bed utility package with tailgate step, and the 26 didn't.   Taking another look at the camo-tape-wrap truck, I wonder if maybe they'd just go with what they've already got on the Bronco Sport. Not super likely, but another option other than roll down or remove and stow.

With that solid dividing line there, I think a two-tone paint job would look good on there.

Do you guys think it would make financial sense for Ford to invest into a partnership with "Renault Geely do Brasil" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Geely_do_Brasil)? As you know, Ford does not produce in Brazil anymore and does not produce cars in South America (only the Ranger pickup in Argentina - plus a few Transits in Uruguay, via Nordex/Stellantis). Having local cars (produced in the south of Brazil, in Renault's plant) in showrooms, especially EVs, could help Ford achieve a healthier market share - and avoid complete dependence on the Ranger in the continet.     As a side note, Ford and Renault have crossed paths in the region: Willys-Overland do Brasil had a partnership with Renault to build French-based cars, and when Ford do Brasil bought out Willys in 1967, Ford inherited both the Jeep utility line and the ongoing Renault-designed passenger car project that became the Corcel and Belina (when I was born my parents had a Belina mk2).

I wonder when Ford stops with the "everything's a recall" approach and goes back to TSBs, etc.

Overview of recalls so far:   Ford Recalled More Vehicles Through July 2026 Than Any Other Automaker  

My partner has a Q3 and loves it.   Conversely, my mom looked at a Q7 years ago and didn't like it at all.....she got an X7.

REO originally was the initials of its founder, Ransom Eli Olds. After he was sacked at GM, he started his own company, REO. FIAT was also originally an acronym: Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, as was SAAB: Svenska Aeroplan AktieBolaget   End hijack.