Bob, the "System off to Save Battery" is your warning. You most likely have an AGM battery in that so make sure your charger is AGM compatible. The short drive cycles are not good for the AGM's long term, although they will hold that charge longer. I have found that whenever I get the the low battery warning, it only takes 1 night of charging with my NOCO Genius 10 to get it back in shape.
Its the only "path forward" Ford has to keep selling it in the USA.
The interesting thing is how they are going to change it in 2027 because the Ecoboost powertrain doesn't meet CARB requirements like the Escape doesn't. The HEV model is fine though.
Given how "fast" the Maverick was developed, I don't understand why a CUV version would take so long (given the rumors of a hybrid C2 not hitting till 2030 or so) to build.
Also I think you might be right-there is no reason to move all BS production to Spain, I can see it being added to the plant, because of tariffs would kill any profitability it would have.
I also wonder why Ford hasn't planned more Hybrids/PHEVs even with more EVs coming out...it would be natural if the Bronco/Ranger and Bronco Sport got P/HEVs added to their lineups and it would help with the battery plants and keeping them busy. But I guess that money went into EVs plans that might not be panning out as they thought.
So, FWIW, some of Borg's latest reporting....
Ford appears to be restarting development of an SUV based on the Maverick, along with a utility van. For those of you with a long enough memory, Ford had developed an SUV alongside Maverick (distinct from Bronco Sport) that was ultimately shelved. The idea is that it would be a practical Hybrid SUV while the Bronco Sport was the off-roader. It appears that has been revived. The van was also shown to dealers awhile ago, but the revival of the utility is news to me.
Interestingly, Ford plans to move production of the next Bronco Sport to Spain and Hermosillo will make the Maverick and its variants. Bronco Sport might become a global model if that's the case.
Anyway, you know how that goes these days, it's all tenuous at best. But I had been hearing about new C2 products coming and now it's starting to come into focus. Europe is suppose to have a Ford C2 renaissance.
Obviously hindsight now, but it was dumb to stop development anyway.
I find it kind of hard to believe that they'd completely move all Bronco Sport production to Spain. I could see them ADDING production there for global markets (I don't know why it hasn't gone global......maybe when a hybrid is added, it'd make more sense), but full on moving completely.
Ford is really handcuffed without another NA C2 plant.
FWIW, despite being adamant that it wasn't happening, Borg is now confirming their plan is to import Corsair from China, backing up what you've been saying.
It was a manufacturing style that was adopted by US companies from several Japanese counterparts...hailed as a great boon to the industry for saving money and turning production times around quicker.