But the issue was the small vehicles from the EU didn’t translate well to other markets. Let’s say they are gold plated to a point.    I can go back 46 years ago to give an example-it cost something like $300 bucks to fix an carb issue on my dads fiesta back in the early 1980s-that is like $1000 today.    The C2 platform itself has been an issue-the last gen Escape decontenting and pricing issues with it   The other EU platforms used in the Fusion-it seems like the older Mazda derived platforms in the Escape and Fusion where better and more in line with the tastes of the North American market at a reasonable price point.    I guess this has been sorted to a point with the introduction of the Bronco Sport and Maverick, they also command a higher price point then the Escape did too. 

One quarter ain’t enough to infer trends. How did those three companies’ EV sales do in calendar year 2025 compared to the previous year?

Europe had tariffs on US products up to 17% while we had none on their exports.  Japan and China limit US imports.  Demanding fair trade terms is not bullying.

Same as it did when the F-Series was redesigned from Gen 6 (73-79) to Gen 7 (80-86). it was first time F-Series was downsized (or, rightsized if you will) and the market responded positively to it. 

EREVs don't make sense for regular vehicles.  But if you have a lightning you can't tow anything heavy for more than 50 miles.  It's a non starter.  EREV allows you to do it when needed but use it as a BEV most of the time.  The tradeoff is reduced battery capacity.  Not sure a BEV makes sense yet for towing anyway.  Just go ICE truck for towing and have a BEV for daily driving.

They should make reliable cars first.

But what does this accomplish aside from further overlapping all of the products?   You proposed adding more room to Maverick, which makes it overstep Ranger, while adding a body style to Ranger, and making F-150 smaller/closer to Ranger on top of that? What does making F-150 (or F-250) smaller accomplish?

I like that idea, though a concern with be with parts sharing.  Right now the F150 and Super Duty share cabs.  That would be a necessity to keep the profit levels high.   I've always wondered what the point of the F250 was.  It's essentially the same truck as the F350, but with a lower GVWR.

Here is a radical idea that is not really radical if you think about it... F150 gets a reset to a smaller unit but still bigger than Ranger (with EREV unit) F250 moves to F150's vacated size slot (with more powerful EREV unit) F350/450/550/600 remains on current Superduty size slot F650/750 gets new aluminum Superduty based cab structure E-Series soldiers on as is but with Transit derived cab structure. New redesigned Maverick gains 2-3 inches in rear cab CE1 based truck (Courier, Ranchero, newly named) slots in under Maverick. Ranger gains Supercab back on an MCE. 

They have a lot of those down in the south.  I read recently that they're opening locations in TN soon.   Unfortunately, they don't have one close enough to me to make it worth it (30 mins.....yes, I know that's not long, but I'd rather go other closer places before driving there for a burger).  I've enjoyed the burgers/food, but their drinks have left something to be desired, IMO.     I'd push back on this a bit since in Europe, Ford is/was a "home team" with the small vehicles.