I ordered one, did not buy when my turn came up. It was billed as a 500 mile range, 14klb tow rated work truck for ~60 or so. It showed up as a ~320 mile range, 11klb tow rated 'light work' truck that cost 100+. If you're using it like most people use an F150 and you want BEV it is still a great vehicle and the tech is still super cool, just didn't fit my needs when the final version showed up. Personally think they look awesome too, but I understand most disagree on that 🤣 We did get a Y and are loving it so far, wish I could get all the tesla tech shoved into a superduty frame for a reasonable price. Maybe down the road as battery tech evolves.
I follow a youtube channel called NASA Space Flight, that covers rocket launches/news. They have a 24hr live stream at Starbase (Space X launch facility in Texas), a whole lot of cybertrucks have shown up over the last couple of weeks.
I'm going with that they don't care short term, if anything its going to take till at least the middle of next decade to try an reimplement things that where supposed to happen originally.
He's local to us here, wasn't uncommon to see him in the local advance auto when grabbing parts a while back. Cool dude. My buddy painted, I think it was a lime green fiesta ST, that Vaughn used to just beat the crap out of on his uncle's property right up the road from here. Another buddy that did plastidip did some stuff for him too. Haven't seen him a while but the RTR stuff is legit.
Ford tried Twin Traction Beam on Super Duty before reverting to solid front axle so there is something to be said for simplicity on occasion. 😀
Agree that a solid front axle seems highly unlikely for a new RAM mid-size 4WD truck but who knows? That just would not make sense to me because it limits electrification options. If future pickups are designed to be built as PHEV and or EREV, not to mention BEV, then a solid front axle is too limiting from powertrain perspective.
Also curious of what engine options are being considered for an ICE variant, if ICE is even a possibility. The Gladiator was to get a hybrid version but that was walked back. Presently Gladiator has Pentastar and 8-speed but at some point the old V6 was to be discontinued. Also curious if RAM will add a V8 option like original Dakota offered which set it apart from smaller pickups like Ranger. I recall a 318 V8 was a big deal for Dakota when first introduced. The twin turbo I-6 may be a possibility in lieu of a naturally aspirated V8 but that would likely exceed $30k price target. Perhaps as higher-cost high-performance option? Whatever they come up with let’s hope it’s more fuel efficient than Gladiator. Should be interesting to follow.
I see the creation of Ford Model E and the assembly tree way of building cars as "watershed moments" in Ford's storied history of striking out in a new direction when everyone else is doing "what the market expected"....CE1 should build out a solid base for EV adoption, but by no means does that mean Ford should turn their back on Ford Blue...the next 24-26 months will be an interesting time in the history of Ford.
Just an observation,
The alliance with VW was pitched as a way of both manufacturers saving money
by using each others platforms but by far, Ford has made a fortune selling badge
engineered Transits and Rangers to VW, allowing VW to close the Hannover plant
and save a bundle on next generation platforms and German Labor costs.
In turn, VW sells a minuscule amount of Caddys to Ford, and even fewer MEB supplies.
By the looks of it, Ford has taken VW to school on generating income.
Nothing focus corporate attention more than the mounting costs of recalls,
Ultimately, this is all Ford’s own doing be it manufacturing or supplier defects.
If you don’t want to keep bleeding money, fix the processes that lead to this.
People go on about recall costs but I have to imagine that the massive increases
in prices since 2020 have given Ford strong profits but yes, coming at a cost to
both the bottom line and reputation..
Anyone notice that GM recently took a $1.5 billion charge against its EVs,
thinking Ford might have similar paper write downs coming in the near future.