LOL, Groundhog Day for Ford and VW? All of this has a very familiar ring to it, Rivian based Lincoln 3-row utility for one.

My guess is it’s more of not wanting to commit the people resources to make it happen, at least not yet.  With the factory opening up and EVs pulling back that might change.

Model Y will likely lose additional ground in 2025, given lower sales numbers for Tesla through first half of this year.  Toyota no doubt deserves credit for various models doing great, but IMO Model Y losing top honor is largely on Musk.  If nothing else, corporations should have learned by now that CEOs should be discouraged or prohibited from engaging in partisan politics, at least beyond their own company’s business.   It’s also interesting IMO that top sellers are better known for value and substance than flashiness and exciting designs.  Not saying vehicles should be boring and ugly, just that emphasizing excessive power, performance, great looks, etc. may not lead to additional sales as much as we often discuss and or expect, particularly if it adds significant costs.

It seems kind of risky to only use one EV platform for such a large corporation. 

The Mustang could use a styling intervention. I think part of the reason why Mustang sales have slumped is due to the more evolutionary approach to its styling. It has looked pretty similar since 2015. 

Don't think I've seen this posted here yet. Interesting turn of events... https://fordauthority.com/2025/06/ford-partner-vw-will-use-rivian-r2-platform-for-all-future-evs/  

I think we've had this conversation before, but I don't see how making it more compelling and more in demand with the same supply wouldn't enable then to push ATPs even higher and therefor margins. Obviously some info we're not privy to (and see your point that maybe the R&D can't be recouped at that volume), but hard to believe it wouldn't be able to have better margins than a superduty when it's mostly just software/tech that they get for pennies relative to what they sell it for. Either way it is pretty disappointing and frustrating that Lincoln gets the 'good enough' treatment again, even after all the talk and separating from Ford hoopla.

In terms of bronco, keeping the boxy, rugged looking, I quite like this sketch even if it looks a bit like a defender.     

I'm mostly thinking of bronco and mustang, as those are two of Ford's best passion products at the moment, and both are virtually guaranteed to have a next generation.    For mustang, I personally believe they should keep the 60s inspiration, it's a lot more timeless than say mustangs from the 80s or 90s that are fads in one moment, and out the next. 60s styling has always looked good, and always will, that's what mustang should pattern itself after instead of chasing styling trends. These are cars that'll be at car shows in 50 years, make them timeless and striking.    In terms of what I'd love to see, it basically boils down to a reduction in visual mass. Lowering the roof by maybe 2 inches, and the beltline by an inch or so, so you have less metal over the wheels. Push the wheels to the corners and really shrink the overhangs, especially in the front. Give the mustang an even longer hood to sell that seductive look.    Basically a 1967 Shelby gt 500 in terms of lines, and an Aston Martin in terms of proportions and sexy surfacing would make for a great looking car imo. Something like this image with slightly sharper lines to sell the muscle car look while also looking striking and more exotic. Make the mustang look so good that people stop complaining about paying 60k for a gt, make a design that makes 60k feel like a bargain. 

2025 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator Recalled Over Faulty Air Bags Ford Motor Company is recalling select 2025 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs over faulty passenger side air bags. https://fordauthority.com/2025/07/2025-ford-expedition-lincoln-navigator-recalled-over-faulty-air-bags/