CE1 gets Ford a foot in the door of the electric vehicle market and for now, a mid sized BEV seems to be the sweet spot for costs and affordability.   Vehicle size appears to be the big limiting factor for now, big BEVs don’t work for Ford as the increasing cost of the battery outweighs the justification of the project.   Also for now, Ford is constrained to using a lot of is existing supplier network but importantly, things like batteries, controllers, motors and drives are all made by Ford internally. Going to a single ECU that controls all vehicle functions and features should reduce the cost of supplier based parts back to before they got smart with software controlled modules…   Ive heard that depending on how things go, the 40 volt wiring might be delayed  depending on availability of 40 volt systems supplied, Ford is still optimistic that this is on track and will be included….could be a reason to delay until late 2027.

Potentially, if the sedan and SUV sales are high enough

How far does CE1 bring them and how much further should they go? Ford will be making the batteries themselves, should be making the full software stack themselves, and the electric motors. I figure they’re using contract manufacturers for many pieces like the wiring harness, power electronics, and many other pieces (Wards Auto cited they are using a mix of traditional suppliers and contract manufacturers although not what for). Should they start making AC compressors themselves? Or move more things to contract manufacturers?

That’s what I have, but yeah not really a fan of many of the others. Aviator has the best options as far as wheels in my eyes. 

So the question is how does Ford reverse this trend, and what are they doing to be proactive? Ce1 is a step in the right direction, but it feels like there's a lot more they could do. 

I get that idea but it’s coming at a hell of a cost to Ford and its dealers because  Ford is quite prepared to watch those former buyers go somewhere else. (not aimed at you..) That is not a recent strategy, Ford has been reducing and concentrating its product line up for at least the last two decades, starting with vehicles purposely built to sell to daily rental companies, then it was the other  less efficient body on frame models replaced by existing unitary body  vehicles, then it was getting rid of cars, the list goes on but each time, it’s about a vehicle “on the bump” that no longer make financial sense.   The elephant in the room is the way Ford designs and builds its vehicles  is now way too expensive and bleeds to much cost away to suppliers who now control a lot of that process due to computer controlled modules that are a compulsory just in time buy for Ford (kinda got them by the nuts)

A new unibody platform perhaps that underpins the coupe, a sedan, a gas powered mach-e, and maybe some other enthusiast stuff?

https://www.theautopian.com/38-years-ago-ford-tried-to-make-trucking-23-percent-more-efficient-and-failed-so-hard-it-doesnt-make-semis-anymore/    

And never recover the investments costs on the coupe alone.  Maybe with a sedan and suv coming it could work.t

The mustang would really benefit from a skunkworks style makeover. Lower cost, less weight, better quality, doing all of that would take the mustang to the next level.