After months of speculation, the future of Ford’s Ranger compact pickup is still not clear. In November, Ford debuted the 4-Trac Concept. In March, a production version of the concept was unveiled, which turned out to be the Asian/European-market Ranger. Just prior to the introduction, several media reports indicated the new truck would not being coming to the United States — a prediction that so far has turned out to be true. Around the same time, it was also reported that Ford planned to kill the Ranger entirely in the U.S. after production ended. Today, the St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that Ford has already started building the 2007 model year Ranger — several months ahead of schedule. The move has prompted some workers to wonder if Ford will close the plant sooner than planned. The Leftlane Perspective: Is Ford keeping quiet about a new small pickup so doesn’t hurt sales of the current model? Surely it won’t abandon this market entirely…
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05/09, 5:23 PM
posted by:
6ix
All I know is that I questioned some Ford guys driving around a small, camoflagued truck last year in Colorado while they were filling up. It had the same character line in the front window like the Excursion and new F150 (where it kicks up just behind the side-view mirror.) Obviously, they wouldn’t tell me anything. But from what I could tell, it was a Ranger replacement.
05/09, 5:28 PM
posted by:
atomicbri
FOrd is really losing its way….The Way FOrward seems to be filled with a lot of uncertainty. Why would Ford abandon this market that it opened up so long ago??? To build some more Excursions or other pointless vehicles?? I am really shocked at Ford’s indecisiveness for its original and home market of America. Really crazy if you ask me
05/09, 5:39 PM
posted by:
tweek
they are closing the st. paul plant which ford has numerous times over, awarded as the most effecient plant. That is the most discouraging thing about this ranger deal. (fyi the ranger was exclusively made at the st. paul plant)
05/10, 7:19 AM
posted by:
yozzie
I’d be really surprised if they didn’t start bringing in the Thai-built Ranger as a replacement – not much size difference, much more modern and more economical, plus the availability of diesel powertrains, which seems to be inevitable. From a business standpoint, what’s the point of keeping the current battleaxe in production? It’s no longer related to the Explorer, and they could potentially get a newer, better replacement cheaper from SE Asia anyway.
05/10, 9:24 AM
posted by:
nick
I would hope that Ford sticks around in the small truck category for a little while longer. If they turned the Ranger into a mini F-150, they might get some buyers of F-150s (and other full sized trucks) if gas prices go too high. From what I’ve read about the new Asian Ranger, it’s almost a half ton truck (like the 150). It could be the economical replacement for several people who want a “big” truck w/o the big gas bill.
05/22, 7:14 PM
posted by:
Dan Smith
I’m almost tempted to think that FOMOCO is nothing more than a bad vaudville act. Most of their really good stuff is being manufactured and sold overseas, while their home market is tanking; they’ve had to close at least five plants and lay off some 30,000 employees. Mazda-produced vehicles like the 3 and 6 are in short supply, because their home market plants can’t expand to accomodate market demands… It’s all a gargantuan, screwed up mess. Why is the next gen Focus being built everywhere but here? Why isn’t Ford already producing a modern, hyper-competitive Ranger. That truck has been the best selling truck in its market segment for more than seven years. What in the hell have they been doing with all of the money…? Oh, I almost forgot. There’s a new stadium in town called Ford Field… This has to be the dumbest damned business decision since the owner of the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees so that he could produce a Broadway play. Can you say No No Nanette? I’m beginning to think that the Ford family is suffering from the same health issue that afflicted the Spanish Royal Family. It’s called inbreeding.
Dan Smith