The weight is a typo. And the price is on par with Euro prices. Cars are generally more expensive and this was one with all the options. If Ford did bring the new Focus here it would not cost nearly that much, minus for maybe the upcoming ST

Yes and Ford essentially expects those looking for something like a Focus to get an EcoSport instead....for more money, because crossover.

I always thought it was ironic that hybrids and EVs that essentially shut off when at a stop got the HOV pass. Those are the cars you want stuck in traffic if you are concerned about emissions. 

Also the fate of a few plants are already known. The Focus plant just started building the Ranger and will have the bronco. The Taurus plant also builds the Explorer which honestly was probably hindering Explorer output. Ford’s plans had less of an effect on its employment numbers and took a hit for it.

I would argue this is more vague. They have announced the closing of plants but not concretely what happens to those models locally. Production could shift somewhere else. For example the Cruze is also built in Mexico. Will the US market receive Mexican built Cruzes?

I admit to having installed one of these. But with today’s population glued to their phone screen I consider it insurance.

I think one thing to take in to consideration is temperature. Even with dry pavement I’d rather be driving with my winter tires than all seasons when the temps gets in the negatives (which is not uncommon where I live). Regardless of wet or dry roads rubber loses its grip at lower temps and a softer compound helps…

Thank you, I’m glad I’m not the only one thinking this. And to think they probably spend millions on a marketing department. 

If I remember correctly those cars had been modified quite extensively. It’s hard to blame the software for the airbags when a ton of other stuff has been modified, especially if there was a tune installed.

Pretty sure the Legacy/Outback platform dates back to 2010 with a 2015 refresh.

Where I live (Milwaukee area) people will definitely run a red light clearly after it has turn red and I have gotten the green. I wait every damn time because it is so common.

Admittedly haven’t tried every small crossover, but we had a Ford EcoSport (based on the fiesta platform) as a loaner. It got worse gas mileage and had less cargo room than our Focus. Mind boggling people would prefer a vehicle like that over a slightler larger vehicle because it’s higher up.

The edge ST already gets the 2.7 Ecoboost. I however doubt a larger engine would fit. The smallest platform that currently uses the 3.5 is the Taurus/explorer.

The RS dates back to hardcore rally cars. So you’re correct it wasn’t about track but it had some serious Motorsport history.

Very recently you could still get an Outback with a manual in Canada. Not sure if that has recently changed though given the push for eyesight in everything.

Reread the quote, they aren’t saying US sourced steel is the most expensive, they are saying buying steel in the US as a US customer is the most expensive. If you were in Europe, Asia, etc. you would pay less regardless of the supplier.

US steel suppliers raised their prices because with the tariff international steel is more expensive. In essence the cost of US steel is still more because the sell it just below the tariff. Let’s say Chinese steel is $30 per pound and there is a $10 tariff per pound. US suppliers will charge $39 per pound.

They start at $54k, dealers only order the ones optioned over $70k lol

And that’s where cannibalizing sales from the F-150 Raptor comes in. It’s probably safe to say the profit margins on the F-150 one would be larger than a Ranger Raptor, they probably are betting on customers stepping up to get a Raptor.