People make such a big deal about this, but there was a Ford F-150 HEV [0] released in late 2021 (2022 model) that no one seems to talk about. It used the Ford Hybrid PowerBoost V6 engine (3.5L F150 FHEV), and seems to be more than sufficient. Though I haven't driven it myself.
Not saying it isn’t possible but someone like DeMuro is making so much money just from subscribers that it is likely harder to throw cash at him for a positive review.
It’s the smaller youtubers that are more worrisome since they have less money and influence. So the power dynamics are different.
It’s a great question. FWIW, I specifically posted this review by Doug DeMuro after watching a couple others that were clearly just PR regurgitation. I personally consider him a competent and neutral reviewer after having watched his reviews of other vehicles.
Doug has his personal biases (as does everyone else), but does make an decent effort to be neutral (within his capabilities) while hitting his main points and remaining entertaining.
This [1] is a fairly great conversation with him which covers a lot of topics including the incentives [2] many other YouTubers/Car Journalists have (from getting flown out to launch events and the general pressures to not lose access to press cars by being too negative in a review)
That said, while I trust Doug far more than many reviewers he still has many relationships with car dealerships, often gets access to preproduction cars that he can't drive yet (but almost always does a full review when he can), and does have a car auction business so there's still room for that to have an effect on his judgement even if he's trying otherwise.
I clicked comments first curious if this would be Doug's video. His reviews and retro reviews are so well constructed and thorough and, as with the cars, his "quirks and features" really shine through.
I just watched the review and he says he has only positives to say about. That makes me already skeptical. A review with only positives? Would he get other cars to review after a negative review?
It's an astounding number. In order to afford an "average" car you're going to have to put down $20k (cash + trade-in) and/or get a 7 year loan (ouch).
I knew the average sales price in the US would be pointed out. It's still ridiculous because you have most of these people financing these cars with 5-7 years loans but also the whole "half of Americans don't have $1k in their bank account". Spending $40k when the median personal US income is $36k/yr means this car is not actually "for the masses" making a financially prudent decision.
For the 50% masses of Americans making $36k/yr or less, the people's car should actually be a used reliable economy car getting 30+ mpg (Prius, Civic, Kia, etc.)
It’s absolute garbage. But so are normal Fords. Whether it’s the body panels thinner than a pop can, the mushy steering and road feel, or the tacky cheap interior, Ford finds a way to make quality their last job.
Ford also fought and lobbied against electric vehicles for ages. You’d have to be a moron to buy an electric vehicle from a company which officially not only hates them, but which has actual FUDded the Internet against them.
Ford and GM are good for making fleet vehicles for the government. Well, not even “good” but the government chooses them because of mutually beneficial kick back schemes. They are not good for consumers to own.
The Focus and Fiesta were good cars, except the interiors were garbage. (Why Ford can't match something like an Elantra in interior quality, I do not understand.) But they drove well.
Then they canceled both, because they could get bigger margins on trucks and hausfrauenpanzers.
Readit News
[0]: https://transportation.report/vehicles/2022-ford-f150-pickup...
It’s the smaller youtubers that are more worrisome since they have less money and influence. So the power dynamics are different.
The game is you love it or you dont get special access anymore from us.
This [1] is a fairly great conversation with him which covers a lot of topics including the incentives [2] many other YouTubers/Car Journalists have (from getting flown out to launch events and the general pressures to not lose access to press cars by being too negative in a review)
That said, while I trust Doug far more than many reviewers he still has many relationships with car dealerships, often gets access to preproduction cars that he can't drive yet (but almost always does a full review when he can), and does have a car auction business so there's still room for that to have an effect on his judgement even if he's trying otherwise.
[1] https://youtu.be/pFGh-YqHT4Y [2] https://youtu.be/pFGh-YqHT4Y?t=5155
With a larger organization there is at least peer review and multiple people that would have to keep quiet.
What about cost of repairing and more.
> $40k MSRP
Good one
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38748092/new-car-average-...
It's an astounding number. In order to afford an "average" car you're going to have to put down $20k (cash + trade-in) and/or get a 7 year loan (ouch).
For the 50% masses of Americans making $36k/yr or less, the people's car should actually be a used reliable economy car getting 30+ mpg (Prius, Civic, Kia, etc.)
Dead Comment
Ford also fought and lobbied against electric vehicles for ages. You’d have to be a moron to buy an electric vehicle from a company which officially not only hates them, but which has actual FUDded the Internet against them.
Ford and GM are good for making fleet vehicles for the government. Well, not even “good” but the government chooses them because of mutually beneficial kick back schemes. They are not good for consumers to own.
Their cars might be junk, but their F150 truck has been the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. for 45 years.
America needs things that are cheap and cheerful. Not all this bloated garbage. That applies to everything.
Deleted Comment
Then they canceled both, because they could get bigger margins on trucks and hausfrauenpanzers.