Ford Promises A Massive Comeback

Issue #140

Happy Tuesday!

Ford goes back to its roots with a bold strategy that could pay off in a big way, IF it plays its cards right. Plus, car prices are increasing relentlessly and we urge caution with flood-damaged cars.

Market News

• With floods increasing, we explain how flood-damaged cars could end up in your hands and how to avoid that. 

• Car companies are assuming the costs of tariffs, but this article explains why it won’t be forever. 

• This startup turns older cars into modern hybrids, giving them a new chance at life.

• Jeep’s CEO says the company can build cars people love. Here’s his strategy.

• Buick just released this jaw-dropping concept. Could it be the future of the brand?

• Toyota plans to use this engine on everything, going against the grain and generating many doubters along the way.

• Here’s how Volvo dodged 147% in tariffs. 

• Jaguar’s new boss defends the rebrand. But not everyone is convinced. Here’s why.

• Hyundai could create a sports version of this SUV to compete against Toyota. How times have changed. 

• A security flaw allows hackers to control your car. Here’s how. 

Safety and Recalls

• Mercedes-Benz has to recall these models once again after the previous attempt to fix the issue failed.

• Kia’s latest quality issues are becoming more serious as this authority begins its investigation.

Car Culture

• What happens when you crash at 120 mph? Travis Pastrana relives his crash here.

• A man hid this rare Lamborghini in his apartment, with climate-controlled conditions, and now has a time capsule.

• You can take your car to Florida by train. Here’s how much it costs.

• The Chevy Camaro is back! But, there’s a twist, and you might not like it. 

• This expert tells you not to put money down on a lease and it makes perfect sense.

• Here’s America’s fastest car and it just broke a record with no special mods.

• Are cars ugly and boring? This article is a plea to bring beautiful design back into our daily drivers.

• Ford unveils a logo from 1912 as part of this new campaign (more on it further down.)

• Dodge promises a new car, with a twist that you might love. Here’s more on it. 

• Mercedes-Benz CEO launches this warning: a collapse is imminent. 

Video Of The Week

Did the Ford Bronco live up to all the hype? What do you think?

Do You Want To Buy A Car On Facebook Marketplace?

Learn all the tips and tricks to master the art of buying a car on Facebook Marketplace.

We’ve condensed years of experience into the most complete and updated guide to buying your next dream car, daily driver, or project car in one of the most dynamic digital marketplaces out there.

👉 Click here to check out our Ultimate Guide To Buying a Car On Facebook Marketplace!

You can also click on the picture!

In The Know

Can we believe in Ford again? 

Ford just dropped what its CEO calls the most radical shift since the Model T—and yes, that's saying something, as this article explains.

$5 billion is an extraordinary commitment. That's how much Ford is investing to prove that it wants to be a game-changer, and it has many excited, with some being overly cautious. Here’s a summary of what’s happening. 

A new era begins in Louisville as Ford plans to overhaul its manufacturing strategy, and the investment will come in two stages. First, there's $2 billion investment at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, and another $3 billion at Michigan's BlueOval Battery Park. 

It's not unusual for automakers to invest billions in their manufacturing facility. So, why does this situation matter more? 

Because it marks a new era for the company, one that could help it regain its glory. 

The new Universal EV Platform is Ford's latest bet on providing an affordable, American-built electric vehicle priced around $30,000. It is expected to hit the market by 2027, and that's now the most important aspect, as The Verge highlights.

At the heart of this is a clever "assembly tree" process. Vehicles are built in modular chunks—front, middle, rear—and pieced together at the end. Literally, Ford is going back to its roots, and it's a great move. 

This article explains how Ford aims for 20% fewer parts, faster production, lighter wiring harnesses, and reduced complexity. It's streamlined, efficient—and downright futuristic, but there's a big catch that I personally don't know whether Ford will overcome. 

We'll get to that later. 

If Ford plays this right, and it has all the tools to do so, it could improve its presence not only in the US (where it lost the title of the most-sold vehicle in the country to the RAV4), but also internationally. 

The company plans to sell this cheaper option across many countries and, as CEO Jim Farley promised, it would be a profitable product. People could fall in love with Ford again, especially in countries where it once had a solid presence, such as Argentina, Chile, Brazil and, yes, China.

So, what's the big catch? Quality.

Ford has broken the record for the most recalls in the year, and the year isn't even over! It's a surprise given that Ford had actually improved in JD Power rankings (10 spots!).

However, as this article explains, it has had so many recalls that many have already forgotten about the rankings. 

This detail is crucial when it comes to the new vehicles because Ford has openly recognized that this Universal EV Platform will use the company's lower-quality batteries. If we pair this with the company's latest quality struggles, we're in for more recalls and even more damage to its reputation. 

The other big challenge is America's relationship with EVs, as this article highlights. With changing policies, tax benefits ending, and an overall dislike of EVs, the country might not be as interested. That's why the international presence becomes crucial. 

So, if Ford plays this right and gives us a cheap, dependable truck that's $30,000, the world will love it! Not only that, but it could eliminate the competition, such as the Slate Truck. Companies should be cautious. 

In the meantime, Ford needs to get this plan in action as soon as possible. The public is longing to get its hands on a cheap, fun EV.