Ford is recalling more than 119,000 US vehicles over an issue with the engine block heater that could short circuit and cause an underhood fire, auto safety regulators said Wednesday.The recall includes certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, 2015-2016 MKC, 2019 Explorer and 2024 Explorer cars, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.The recall covers 119,075 vehicles. The recall includes certain 2013-2018 Focus, 2013-2019 Escape, 2015-2016 MKC, 2019 Explorer and 2024 Explorer car ...

Market Overview - U.S. stock index futures are all down, with Dow futures down 0.02%, S&P futures down 0.05%, and Nasdaq futures down 0.11% [1] - Major European stock indices are also down, with the Euro Stoxx 50 down 0.28%, FTSE 100 down 0.46%, CAC 40 down 0.14%, and DAX 30 down 0.42% [1] - WTI crude oil is down 1.51% at $55.96 per barrel, and Brent crude is down 1.35% at $59.74 per barrel [1] - Gold prices are down 0.39% at $4318.3 per ounce [1] Market Insights - Morgan Stanley predicts gold prices will reach $4800 per ounce by Q4 2026, driven by increased central bank purchases, global growth concerns, and higher demand from stablecoin companies [1] - The OECD expects the AI investment boom to boost productivity, although trade uncertainties remain [1] - The Thai baht has reached a four-year high, prompting the Bank of Thailand to tighten scrutiny on dollar-selling transactions to prevent unwanted capital inflows [1] - The EU is reportedly proposing to relax new car emissions standards, potentially allowing the sale of plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles with fuel range extenders [1] Company News - TotalEnergies has signed a 21-year power agreement with Google to supply 1 TWh of renewable energy for Google's data center in Malaysia from a new solar power plant [1] - Apple has updated its Android Apple TV app to include Google Cast functionality, contrasting with Netflix's recent discontinuation of casting features [1] - Ford is recalling two vehicle types in the U.S.: 32,160 units of the 2022-2025 E-Transit due to axle detachment issues, and 780 units of the 2025-2026 Corsair and Escape for unfastened seatbelt retractors [1] - Volkswagen is recalling 3,138 units of the 2025 Tiguan in the U.S. due to a fault in the passenger detection system that may cause front airbags to fail [1] - Kering Group and Ardian have completed a real estate transaction on Fifth Avenue in New York, with Ardian holding 60% and Kering holding 40%, for a total of $900 million [1] - Ford is restructuring its electric vehicle business, halting production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning pickup and shifting focus to hybrid and range-extended models, incurring a $19.5 billion charge [1] Economic Data and Events - The U.S. non-farm payroll report for November is set to be released tonight at 21:30, with institutions warning that the data may be distorted due to government shutdowns, emphasizing the need to focus on private sector hiring [1]

Core Insights - Ford experienced a modest sales increase of 1.6% year over year in October, with total sales reaching 175,584 units, primarily driven by strong demand for gasoline-powered vehicles [1][11] - However, there is a significant divergence between Ford's traditional business and its electric vehicle (EV) ambitions, as EV sales sharply declined following the expiration of federal tax incentives [2][12] Sales Performance - Year-to-date, Ford's U.S. deliveries have increased by 6.6% to 1.83 million vehicles [1] - In October, Ford's EV sales fell nearly 25% year over year to 4,709 units, with the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning also experiencing declines [4][11] - The company sold 74,309 EVs year to date, reflecting a modest increase of 0.5% from the previous year [3] Impact of Federal Incentives - The expiration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit at the end of September led to a significant drop in EV sales, highlighting the dependency on such incentives [3][5] - Leasing accounted for 71% of financed EV purchases in September but dropped to 60% in October, coinciding with a rise in average transaction prices from $60,167 to $65,021 [5] Gasoline Vehicle Sales - While EV sales declined, Ford's gasoline vehicle sales rose, with truck sales increasing by 4.9% in October to 105,771 units [7][11] - Notable gains were seen in models such as the Bronco (up 14.4%), Ranger (up 48%), and gas-powered Mustang (up 43%) [8] Hybrid and Luxury Vehicle Sales - Hybrid sales softened by 4% to 17,498 units in October, but were up nearly 20% year to date [9] - Ford's luxury brand Lincoln faced challenges, with overall sales down 13.4% to 8,100 units, despite a 37.6% increase in Navigator deliveries [9] Future Outlook - Ford's ability to balance its profitable legacy business with its emerging EV segment will be crucial, especially in a challenging environment without federal incentives [12][13] - The company must focus on recalibrating production, managing costs, and reigniting demand to sustain growth in the EV market [13]

Core Viewpoint - A sudden fire at the Novelis plant in northern New York has disrupted operations, significantly impacting the U.S. automotive aluminum sheet supply chain, which supplies approximately 40% of the automotive aluminum sheets in the country [1] Group 1: Impact on Ford - Ford Motor Company has suspended production of several models, including the profitable Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs, due to the aluminum sheet supply interruption [1] - The production line for three-row SUVs at Ford's Kentucky truck plant has halted, and the Super Duty truck plant in Kentucky may face future shortages [1] - To prioritize core business, Ford is reallocating resources to maintain production of the F-Series trucks while adjusting operations at other production lines [1] Group 2: Operational Adjustments - The Michigan Dearborn plant has ceased production of the F-150 Lightning model, while the Louisville plant has reduced shifts for the Escape and Lincoln Corsair SUVs to a single shift [1]

Core Viewpoint - Ford Motor Company is discontinuing the Escape and Lincoln Corsair at the end of the 2026 model year, raising concerns among investors about the potential risks of exiting popular vehicle segments without a clear plan [1][4]. Sales Performance - The Escape sold 93,805 vehicles in the U.S. through July, outperforming the Bronco and Bronco Sport, which saw a 45% year-over-year growth [3]. - Despite its sales success, the Escape has experienced some of its worst-selling years in the past five years [5]. Strategic Decisions - Ford is replacing the Escape and Corsair production with a new midsize electric pickup truck, expected to be priced around $30,000, which is seen as a compelling price point for an electric vehicle [7]. - The company has invested approximately $5 billion in the Louisville Assembly Complex, creating around 4,000 jobs to support the production of up to eight new EVs [9]. Financial Implications - Ford's Model-e division, responsible for EVs, reported a loss of $5.1 billion during 2024, raising concerns about the financial viability of replacing profitable gasoline vehicles with electric models [10]. - The company anticipates that the new electric pickup will be profitable early on, marking a significant step in the evolution of EV profitability [10]. Market Challenges - The transition to electric vehicles may face challenges due to slower-than-expected EV sales growth in the U.S. and potential rollbacks of EV incentives and tax credits by the current administration [11]. - While the decision to discontinue popular models may cause concern among investors, it reflects a strategic long-term vision that is not always characteristic of Detroit automakers [12].

Core Points - Ford is recalling 694,271 SUVs in the U.S. market due to a risk of fuel injector cracking, which may lead to fuel leakage and potential engine compartment fires [2] - This is not the first time Ford has addressed this issue, as a previous recall in November 2022 attempted to mitigate the risk through the installation of a diversion tube and engine control software updates [2] - An independent investigation by NHTSA revealed that Ford's previous repair solutions were insufficient, prompting the current large-scale recall [2] Summary by Sections Recall Details - The recall affects 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape models [2] - The main cause of the recall is the risk of fuel injector cracking, which can lead to fuel leaks and fires [2] Previous Actions - In November 2022, Ford initiated a recall to address the issue by adding a diversion tube and updating engine control software [2] - A second recall was necessary in March 2024 due to incomplete software updates on some vehicles [2] - NHTSA's investigation highlighted the inadequacy of Ford's repair solutions, leading to the recommendation for direct replacement of faulty injectors [2] Remedial Measures - Ford will implement a phased remedy, starting with free engine control software updates at dealerships to monitor injector conditions and reduce fire risks [3] - A permanent solution is being developed in collaboration with suppliers for improved injectors, with a final plan to be announced soon [3] - The estimated cost of the recall and related services is approximately $570 million, with Ford committed to ensuring customer safety [3]

Core Insights - Ford Motor Company has been leading the automotive industry in recalls this year, with a recent recall of 694,271 SUVs in the U.S. and a total of approximately 858,000 vehicles globally due to fuel leak issues that pose a fire risk [1][7] - The company faces significant financial repercussions, including a $570 million cost in its second quarter 2025 results and potential fines of up to $165 million, marking the second-largest civil penalty in NHTSA history [2][7] Recall Details - The affected models include the 2021-24 Bronco Sport, 2020-22 Escape, and 2019-24 Kuga, with the recall stemming from cracked fuel injectors that may lead to fuel leaks and possible fires [1][2] - Although no injuries have been reported, there have been eight instances of underhood fires, with six of those vehicles lacking the recommended software update intended as a temporary fix [3] Financial Performance - Ford's shares have decreased by 16.7% over the past year, contrasting with a 4.2% decline in the broader automotive industry [4]

Core Viewpoint - Ford is recalling nearly 700,000 SUVs in the US due to a fuel leak issue that poses a fire risk and potential injury to drivers [1][6]. Group 1: Recall Details - The recall affects 694,271 vehicles, including specific 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2020-2022 Escape models with 1.5L engines [2]. - Ford estimates that approximately 0.3% of the recalled vehicles, equating to about 2,083 cars, have the defect [2]. - Drivers may notice fuel odors, smoke, flames from the engine compartment, or dashboard warning lights as indicators of the issue [2]. Group 2: Remedial Actions - Ford is currently working on a repair for the faulty fuel injectors, while dealers will provide free updates to the engine control software for affected vehicles [3][5]. - The company plans to notify vehicle owners of the safety risk by August 18, with follow-up letters sent once a remedy is available [5]. Group 3: Historical Context - Previous recalls in 2022 and 2024 related to the same fuel leak issue recommended software updates but did not address the faulty injectors [7]. - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a recall query last year to evaluate Ford's previous remedy, which was found inadequate [7]. - Ford identified cracked fuel injectors in eight vehicles that experienced underhood fires, with six of these vehicles lacking the updated engine software [8].

Group 1 - The article discusses the patent application by Seres Automotive for an automatic sensing vehicle trash can, which simplifies usage by eliminating the need for manual operation [1] - Ford Motor Company is recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to potential fuel injector failures that could lead to fuel leaks and increased fire risk [2] - BMW's 7 Series is set to undergo a mid-cycle refresh, featuring redesigned split headlights and a full-width tail light bar, enhancing its luxury design [3] Group 2 - Stellantis has decided to abandon its hydrogen fuel cell vehicle project, citing limited infrastructure and high capital requirements as key reasons for this decision [4] - The company will not proceed with the production of its new hydrogen-powered Pro One series trucks, originally planned for mass production in France and Poland [4]

Core Point - Ford Motor Company is recalling over 200,000 vehicles due to a software malfunction affecting rearview cameras, which increases the risk of crashes and potential injuries [1][6]. Group 1: Recall Details - The recall involves 200,061 vehicles, including models from 2018 to 2024 such as Transit Connect, MKZ, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, Ranger, Mustang, EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, Aviator, Transit, Explorer, Bronco Sport, and Maverick [2]. - A software error may cause rearview cameras to display a blank or frozen image when the vehicle is in reverse, which can distract drivers and reduce visibility [3][6]. Group 2: Customer Support and Actions - Affected vehicle owners can visit dealerships for free software updates to resolve the issue [9]. - Notification letters to owners are expected to be sent out by July 28, and customers can contact Ford customer service for inquiries [12].