Ford Axes Escape and Corsair to Make Room for Affordable EV Pickup
Ford is discontinuing its long-running Escape crossover and its luxury cousin, the Lincoln Corsair, after the 2026 model year to make way for a new, yet-unnamed all-electric mid-size pickup truck launching in 2027.
Both models, built at Ford’s Louisville, Kentucky plant, are being replaced as part of the company’s EV strategy, despite recent slowing in North American EV adoption.
Ford also delayed its next-generation full-size EV pickup and electric Transit van to 2028, but reaffirmed its commitment to more affordable EVs using new lithium-iron-phosphate batteries developed with CATL.
The automaker is introducing a “tree” assembly process to cut production costs and speed output, aiming to price the new truck at around US$30,000—a move Ford hopes will offset revenue losses from ending the Escape and Corsair lines.
July Fleet Sales Climb on Rental Surge Despite Flat Year-to-Date Growth
U.S. fleet sales in July rose 17.9% year-over-year to 173,992 vehicles, driven primarily by a 56.2% surge in rental fleet purchases, which offset a 19.8% drop in government fleet sales and a modest 1.1% gain in commercial fleet sales.
2026 Dodge Durango Goes All-V8, Starting with 5.7L Hemi as Standard
Dodge has announced that the 2026 Durango will come standard with a 5.7L Hemi V8, replacing the long-running 3.6L “Pentastar” V6 and marking the first time all trims feature V8 power.