Anyhow, back to thread-topic Maverick.

An interesting question, to me, at least, is that, considering the huge success the Maverick has been (the factory has been sold out for the 2022 model year now for some time), is how well an upmarket Lincoln version would do. Certainly the entry-level MKCs and Corsairs have been a success. Admittedly, Lincoln DID introduce two full-size trucks (Blackwood, Mark LT) that were complete duds, for reasons which I've explained in other threads, but premium vehicle-brands, in general, have done a lot better the small crossover market. An upmarket version for Lincoln just might sell this time, especially if they don't use the same factory for both versions and more of them can be built to satisfy demand.

 

I've watched the video, I'm not saying its a great vehicle...but the argument that it doesn't make business sense for GM makes no sense. It sells very well.

I bet you this vehicle is way more profitable for GM than the Bronco is for Ford.

 

Seeing that this is a bare bones economy truck with few frills, a Lincoln version would make absolutely zero sense. Luxury branded trucks don't work, its been tried and found.

 

The Bronco is selling in such high numbers that we probably won't know its true profit-figures from Ford until at least the end of the 2022 model year. And, with the big dealer markups (which don't necessarily affect manufacturer-profit)...you can bet THEY are making money.

 

Thats just it...its not selling in that high numbers, its simply in high demand relative to supply. With the high development cost of the Bronco compared to the relatively low development cost of the Blazer, thats where the Blazer is more profitable.

Just because one manufacturer finds success in a specific area doesn't mean every competitor will find success the same place. GM went one direction, Ford another and both have found success.

 

Obviously they cannot sell more Broncos than they can build with the chip-shortage, but my point was that demand greatly exceeds supply. I'll stand corrected if I turn out to be wrong, but I don't see much evidence of that on the Blazer.


And perhaps the real question is not so much how many sales the Bronco will take from the Blazer, but how many it will take from the Jeep Wrangler. The Wrangler has had this market cornered for years.

 

They can sell more Broncos and it still be less profitable. I’m talking about profitability not sales. Development cost of the Bronco is exponentially higher. Blazer was cheap to develop and is basically just a gravy maker.

And nobody will cross shop a Bronco and a Blazer. Bronco Sport sure.

 

The entire appeal of this truck TO ME, is the cost vs capability and low running costs. A lux branded version would be nice to own but ultimately pointless since you would have to wait for it to be CPO to make sense. The normal base model gives you a lot

 

100% ^^^*.

I only want this truck due to the “bang for buck.” I can get an XLT, which has all I need, with bed extender and cover for less than 23, assuming I could order one at MSRP. It gets 42 mpg, and would be extremely cheap to own and drive, especially in light of some substantial road trips we plan to take. It’s also a cheap truck bed for a home owner who can’t stop doing projects (I think it’s a sickness, I’m always fidgeting).

Once you remove the low cost, I’d rather have a different truck. The higher speced models have zero appeal to me. If I’m paying in the 30s plus, I’d want a true truck. Just my .02 bucks.

What are your thoughts on longevity? Can we expect the sort of high mileage numbers we see from the Prius? I don’t recall Ford having substantial hybrid success in their past, but maybe I’m forgetting something?

 

Eh I'm sure it will be okay, they had some issues with their inverters and with the hybrids in general but that's just ford being ford. The warranty they offer is long enough you should be able to discover if your car will have an issue or not without needed to pay out of pocket to do so.

The Toyota hybrid transmission is my favorite from the respect of reliability

 

Dealer markups don't make any extra money for FORD; that all goes into the dealers' pockets.

 

Interesting discussion of Fords hybrid reliability in another forum.

“I had that same 2.5L engine + hybrid in a 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid. Took it to 205,000 miles before trading it in to CarMax. It showed NO signs of being tired at trade in time. Just time to get something else. There have been other owners in the 300,000 mile range with that model.

In addition, the previous edition of the Ford Escape Hybrid, (when used as NYC taxis), resulted in numerous examples racking up 400,000 to 600,000 miles. (Google it).

I wouldn't loose sleep over longevity here.”

Taken from bobistheoilguy forum …ford-hybrid-reliability-thoughts.

 

Your comment basically repeats what I said earlier, although both Ford and GM have "cautioned" their dealers (whatever that means) about excessive mark-ups.

However, at the corporate level, Ford, GM, and Stellantis all three make good profits off the sale of full-sized trucks and SUVs...probably more than with any other classes of vehicles.

 

Exactly; that's why Ford is getting rid of sedans for the most part. Hopefully it won't bite them if sedans come back into vogue. Who knows?
By the way, Tesla's margins approach 30%, dwarfing Ford, GM, and Stellantis.

 

.........That's if you believe the figures that Musk makes public. I'm not necessarily going to say whether they are true or false ( Frankly, I don't know).........but I take them with a grain of salt.