Ford May Bring Ranger Back To US in 2018

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

Ford is reportedly discussing bringing back the mid-size Ford Ranger pickup to America and Canada in its bargaining negotiations with the United Auto Workers, the Detroit News is reporting.

Ford may be assembling the truck, which could be brought back as early as 2018, at its Wayne, Michigan plant. The truck would replace the outgoing C-Max and Focus at the plant. Ford announced production of those two products would move to Mexico in 2018.

The last U.S.-spec Ranger was most recently produced at Ford’s St. Paul, Minnesota plant, which shuttered in 2011.

According to sources, the formal decision would need to be ratified by Ford executives and the union’s board.

According to the report, Ford was enticed by the small, but growing, mid-size pickup segment. Although the segment only accounted for 227,000 sales in 2013, it is expected to grow in coming years. Toyota’s Tacoma dominates the segment, accounting for more than half of the segment’s sales, but General Motors’ Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon could slowly gain a higher market share.

Ford produces the Ranger in Thailand, South Africa and Argentina for 180 global markets including Mexico. Recently, Ford announced it would produce the Ranger in Nigeria.

It’s unlikely that Ford would would bring the global Ranger to America without significant modifications for safety and fuel economy. The Ranger’s size and classification places it firmly in the CAFE “dead zone,” which could make it difficult for Ford to find a suitable (read: efficient) powertrain.

The Ranger was last redesigned in 2011 and facelifted in 2015. A redesign for the Ranger would align with the 2018 production start date in Wayne. The C-Max and Focus are scheduled to leave that plant in 2018 as well.

Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • Fred Fred on Aug 26, 2015

    Too big and too late (for me at least).

  • Frozenman Frozenman on Aug 26, 2015

    Agree with APaGttH, the only fullsize I would consider is a Titan Kingcab Pro-4x. Its a tidy older design with a low bed rail height, at least in appearance. Some of these new trucks look like aircraft carriers when they roll by, GM being the worst.

  • Steve Biro At a $27K starting point - often with additional dealer discounts - the Equinox was an attractive option for many on a tighter budget. Especially when the FWD model came with a traditional six-speed automatic.Now, with a starting point of just under $30K (and discounts much smaller and/or less likely for a couple of years) and a CVT, the Equinox is suddenly much less competitive.Add to that the need to pay an extra $2K for AWD just to get a real transmission, and the Equinox isn't very competitive at all. An AWD base version will start at about $32K and an RS or Activ will be $36K and change - quite laughable. And one is still stuck with that 1.5-liter turbo powerplant.If this is what Chevy is demanding for the ICE Equinox, it's no wonder a $30K EV version turned out to be vaporware.
  • AZFelix I know someone who spent a night in a Dodge Dynasty. The velour interior was the best part of the experience.
  • MKizzy Looking at the high-nosed Equinox and its assumed huge front blind spots, I see why Mayor Pete wants to mandate improved AEB on all vehicles.In addition, GM's lack of commitment to its ICE powertrains is on full display with its continued use of its class-trailing 1.xT engines. The new Equinox may be all show/no go, but at least after a decade of shoving its 1.5T into the Equinox and Malibu, you'd think GM would've at least made it top flight reliable by now.
  • Daniel China can absolutely make quality products when contracted at the right prices or their car companies trying to compete. However, I doubt any of their nearly 100 EV companies would even want to try to break into the US market with a 25% tariff (Polestar pays this) and the huge service and support network needed other than *maaaaybe* BYD eventually and only then if they end up using their upcoming plant in Mexico for not just Latin America, but decide to try the US market without the tariffs. They def would need to have excellent quality and support to be taken seriously, we'll see!
  • VoGhost I know one commenter who would love to live in Kia towers.
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