Yes but while Ford has not completely closed down it European Engineering operations, it has severely restructured them resulting in thousands of job cuts and a shift in focus. The company is pivoting towards electric vehicles (EVs) and relying more on global platforms and strategic partnerships, which has reduced the need for a large, independent regional engineering workforce.    My guess is that the Puma replacement will be supplied by Renault as will Transit Courier which leaves me thinking that another plant will either close or start making a new version of electric vehicles.

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.