Ford unveiled a compact pickup concept in Thailand on Friday called the Ranger Max. The show car is intended as a preview of the next-generation Ranger for the Thai market. For years, the Ranger sold in the Asian country has been a completely distinct model from its American counterpart of the same name. At this point in time, it’s not known if that will change, but this new Ranger does draw on Ford’s ‘Bold American’ design language.
Ford says the Ranger Max concept was developed by a team of truck specialists in Thailand working closely with Ford’s Australia-based Asia Pacific and Africa design team. The next-gen Ranger, code-named T6, is being developed by the same group.
“The Ranger Max is not just about creating show excitement,” said chief designer Paul Gibson. “We have a great opportunity to test design themes that may make their way into production. Ranger Max says exciting things about the possibilities for truck fans in Ranger’s future.”
So what, if anything, does this mean to those of us in North America? Well, there are a few possibilities. Recent rumors suggest Ford might be planning a separate compact model called the F-100, specifically built for the U.S. market. Alternatively, there is speculation Ford might simply offer different versions of the F-150 with smaller engines. Lastly, there have been some whispers about Ford importing a version of the Thai Ranger to America. At this point in time, there’s not enough information out there to place any reliable bets.
11/30, 4:23 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
BRING IT OVER!!!!!!! Replace the current Ranger with this.
11/30, 5:06 PM
posted by:
inline6
My goodness…bring this frigging thing over here, Ford. How hard can it be? Replace the ca. 1983 Ranger with THIS! You won’t even have to change the badges.
11/30, 5:25 PM
posted by:
elviososa
huahaha…that’s only for Asian…Ford think American are stupid enough to buy their old crap.
11/30, 5:30 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
wow that looks nice…as usual…fnck the asians, and fnck ford if they dont bring this over
11/30, 6:09 PM
posted by:
mShu7
Looks good. Build it Ford.
11/30, 6:22 PM
posted by:
A4
thats definately what a US ranger replacement SHOULD look like
11/30, 7:48 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
Ford keeps missing the US market by a US country mile. This model should have started here in the US, dammit!
11/30, 8:13 PM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
****ing Asians are starting to dominate the car world! Tell me this is just a dream
11/30, 8:18 PM
posted by:
maross600
the rest of the world always gets something better than the US when it comes to vehicles. even toyota’s hilux is much cooler than our tacoma. ford should bring this hear, build it in minneapolis, save american jobs and sell a cool truck. however, that would make sense and that is something american car companies do not like to do often.
11/30, 8:38 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I think someone from Ford’s North American operations needs to commandeer one of the company’s corporate jets and immediately fly to Thailand in order to investigate this matter further.
11/30, 9:11 PM
posted by:
VictorRaikkonen
The entire Ford North American executive line up should be replaced with the folks form Europe and Australia.
11/30, 9:20 PM
posted by:
Jon
A nice interpretation of the 3-bar grill. The tail-lamps, however, have a “mail-order” appearance.
11/30, 11:38 PM
posted by:
Commodore
I don’t like it..it looks too tame and car-, almost crossover-like for a pickup truck. Although redesigning the really old current ranger is a GREAT idea and they should do it soon
12/01, 12:08 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Elvio, I’m an American and I couldn’t agree with you more. It makes me so frustrated to know that if I want a small truck, I don’t have too many great options to choose from. This Ranger looks great, and to think that we only get the old one because Ford believes it may not be successful makes me really mad. If THIS were the only Ranger option, people would buy it. However, I’d really like to see the interior on this thing. I don’t even have real interest in anything until I see the interior.
12/01, 12:08 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
But I still feel a little bristly…
12/01, 7:51 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Wow, nice.
12/01, 9:44 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Here’s what I don’t get: Ford says it would cost too much to develop a new Ranger for the US Market, yet apparently it does not cost too much to develop a new Ranger for Thailand. Really the only additional cost involved here would be some engineering mods and safety tests for US code - they don’t need to redevelop a truck from scratch. I’m not saying that’s easy work, but it’s not as costly as recreating the wheel.
This BS about Americans not buying a smaller truck is pure crap. Tacomas sell bigtime, and they cost as much as F150s, basically. And Ford can and does build better trucks than Toyota, and already has decent domestic powertrains it can install. If they brought out this truck, the new Raptor, the new Fusion, new Taurus, revamped Mustang, and the Fiesta, it would be like a rebirth.
There must be something more to it, because not offering this truck does not make sense at all.
12/01, 11:34 AM
posted by:
cwa107
@mayer_ray_nagin
You are spot on. Ford is really missing the boat by not having a competitive vehicle in this segment. Since they’ve already got the R&D investment done by their Australian subsidiary, they would be remiss not to bring the platform here.
Yes, fuel is cheap right now - but we all know it’s just the calm before the storm. Many Americans still need pickups, and a fuel efficient, smaller version will absolutely be a perfect fit for the vast majority of them (and I’m not talking about the people who buy a huge truck because they’re trying to compensate for inadequate genitalia).
12/01, 2:28 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
This thing is old, FORD BRING OVER THE “FALCON” FORM AUSTRALIA!!! or put that motor in the Rapter…
and can you make it a 4 door, I have kids….
12/01, 3:57 PM
posted by:
PW
I think this looks great! Perfect for North America, once the Avalanchesque plastic thing in the back is removed.
12/01, 6:51 PM
posted by:
tzu13
Holy Tacoma, Batman!
12/01, 7:22 PM
posted by:
FSVT_ROCK
Nice, about time.
12/01, 8:10 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
mayer_ray_nagin: you are right once again! I also don’t get it anymore…it’s as if Ford *wants* to shoot themselves in the foot.
12/03, 9:39 PM
posted by:
richt62167
this is why i really stating to hate US autos I hope they all go under. serves lhem right
12/03, 9:42 PM
posted by:
richt62167
OOPS!! WTF!!
this is why I’m really starting to hate US autos I hope they all go under. serves them right