But their own criteria is that a nominee must be new or significantly updated that year.  Its not just the best truck.

To me it read as "OK we did the EV truck thing with the Rivian and now the segment isn't growing much", "We did the Ram last year, they added the Hemi, oh and we have the 2500"...but as you read the articles it's more like "What will middle America really drive for it's need"... Hence, looks like the Maverick.

For the 2025 model year....

ahemmm....  

I think part of the problem the A and B segment hatch segment is no where near as big as it was just 10 years ago. Half the volume has switched to crossovers like the VW T-Roc, T-Cross, Puma, Duster, Yaris Cross, Aygo X, etc. The volume is just not there to support 2 Ford models. VW Group, Stellantis, etc. can support many different vehicles over 5 different brands.Toyota allows Mazda and Suzuki to rebadge certain models in Europe. Neither Renault nor Ford have that support moving forward so it makes sense to team up.    Renault also lost Lada when Russia invaded Ukraine. The Nissan/Mitsubishi tie up will eventually end.    I see Ford using the Renaut 5 as a Fiesta and the new Twingo as the Ka.      Now, if Ford could partner with some Dacia-based models...    

I will say there are some cool possibilities here. Because it's the same platform, if Ford wanted to get really wild, they could do a normal, super affordable hatch, but also use the same platform to create their own take on this Renault, and create like the GTD of Ford hatchbacks. I really like this thing, and I would love to see a Ford variant. Given how car crazy Farley is, I'm betting there have been discussions about it. 

I will say there are some cool possibilities here. Because it's the same platform, if Ford wanted to get really wild, they could do a normal, super affordable hatch, but also use the same platform to create their own take on this Renault, and create like the GTD of Ford hatchbacks. I really like this thing, and I would love to see a Ford variant. Given how car crazy Farley is, I'm betting there have been discussions about it. 

I will say, while the path getting here has been rocky, and some of the decisions leave me scratching my head, I commend the decision to re-enter affordable vehicle segments, it's a welcome addition, I just hope these partnerships are a temporary thing until Ford gets back on their feet in those regions.    In terms of what two products we're getting, I'm gonna assume both are gonna be hatchbacks or cars of some sort. I doubt Ford would be using this base for midsized stuff like the Capri and explorer EVs. My guess is if those get second gens, because they're slightly larger utilities, they will use CE1. It seems likely that the next gen puma would use CE1 as well seeing as it already uses Ford's EV platform, would be weird to go from using your own platform to outsourcing it.    So with that in mind, I'm thinking a new fiesta, and maybe a new focus sized vehicle called escort or something. Kinda like how you have the explorer and Capri which are differentiated by having a boxier, more utilitarian option, and a coupe like, sportier variety that's a little larger, maybe it'll be the same here, but taken to the next level. 

That's part of the problem... Ford should be able to make money on the largest segment in Europe. It's always easy to just pull up stakes and say we don't want to compete but Ford is the only major mainstream market car company in Europe that just can't figure it out.    Partnering with Renault is actually pretty good given the other options. They are the two small guppy left in the pond full of sharks in Europe: Toyota, Hyundai, VW, Geely, BYD, SAIC, Stellantis. The Renault small EV platform is also class leading at least for now so it is not like Ford hitching itself to VW MEB which is not that great.    Another interesting subplot here... I'm sure Ford looked at working with VW again since it is also coming out with ID.Cross B-segment EV. The fact that they don't see any reason to extend the MEB partnership from C-segment to B-segment is... let's just say a clarifying moment. You have to wonder how much longer is Ford going to keep its MEB production going given the near universal dislike (or worse... indifference) for the Explorer and Capri.   Also good call on the question... I do believe you are right that this will be the first Ford made in France since Ford closed down its French subsidiary to focus on Ford Germany and Ford UK (pre-Ford Europe).

Motor trend is a bit tardy as those changes were made a year ago.