Ford May Grant Ranger a Two-Year Reprieve

by Frank Williams

Published: June 25th, 2008

ford may grant ranger a two year reprieve

Sajeev can breathe a sigh of relief. The Detroit News reports that the Blue Oval Boyz are considering offering the Ranger demi-pickup for two more years. Originally slated for the scrapheap in 2009, along with the Twin Cities Assembly Plant, the new plan puts a hold on the factory closure and extends production of the market's most fuel-efficient compact truck to 2011. That's when the "global" Ranger model hits the streets. Of course, Ford will neither confirm nor deny the reports. Spokesman Said Deep: "We do not discuss future product plans for ~~fear we'll have to change our minds again~~ competitive reasons." FoMoCo will build the global Ranger outside of the U.S. South Africa gets the nod, exempt as it is from the "c hicken tax" on imported pickups. Now if they'd just start marketing the Ranger (when was the last time you saw a commercial for one?), they might just have a hit truck on their hands. You know; relatively speaking.

Frank Williams

More by Frank Williams

Comments

Join the conversation

4 of 34 comments

John Horner on Jun 25, 2008

I picked this up from another article on the same topic: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080625/ford_plant.html?.v=3 "Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally indicated in a May 22 conference call that the company would increase Ranger production and was thinking about smaller trucks now built in other countries. "As you know, we're extending the Ranger production also, and we also have some tremendous Ranger-size vehicles around the world. So another thing we are thinking about is -- what does that market look like in the United States?" he said. 'But clearly having a range of fuel-efficient different-size pickups is going to be important to our plan going forward. We're sorting that out as we go here.'" Wow, sometimes Alan sounds like an overpaid CEO who at least has a clue.

Like Reply
Otsegony on Jun 25, 2008

My request to Ford would be to bring back the Ranger's four cylinder 4wd option. Gear it to get decent mileage and promote it in snow country. It wouldn't be fast, but it would be a very useful vehicle in this part of the world.

Like Reply
The Luigiian on Jun 25, 2008
Robert Schwartz : June 25th, 2008 at 11:24 am I have a pretty good idea of how big cars should be and how much they should weigh. But, not being a truck guy, my sense does not embrace trucks. How small can a small pick-up be and still be usefull? For me, I'd like one to carry fishing gear in, and maybe a Christmas tree or other big but lightweight stuff. I'd say it depends mostly on the bed's size, less on towing and hauling capacities. Six feet is a good size for a bed. With camper shell or tent for the bed, it can sleep two, it's the same length as an open-faced fishing rod and it's big enough for Christmas trees, camping gear, skis, and other long items. As for the Ranger: Better engine and a larger extended cab would work for me. Of course, if they can make a 4 x 4 four-cylinder Ranger do 21 mpg on the EPA driving cycle I'd buy one even with current interior. They need to offer the four-door extended cab model with the four cylinder engine. I know I’ll probably be shouted down for this again, but I can’t resist. I still maintain that the ranger is not that last true compact pickup. The 2wd reg cab tacoma is close enough for me to consider still fitting into that segment. Here’s the side by side on edmunds edmunds.com The 2wd Tacoma Access Cab, if its new rear seats have enough room to seat a five-foot-nine person, would be my choice for a truck. For me, "comfort" is being able to sit in the back without having your legs rub up against the front seat, and considering the Tacoma is bigger than a T100 I don't think it's too much to ask for the rear seats to be comparable with the Dodge Dakota. They look OK to me. Regarding size, the issue with most Tacomas' size is the PreRunner trim (the fact it's T100 sized is also not a good thing). Put the fender flares on and add a couple inches of ground clearance and it looks and feels like you're driving a full size. It's the few inches. But, your comment about the 2.7 liter is apt. I just wish the truck would use its size more effectively.

Like Reply
Theodore on Jun 25, 2008

From time to time I've thought about getting a Ranger. One of the things that's kept me from doing it is the seats. I do long road trips. The Rangers I've been in...don't. Maybe the bucket seats are better, but the bench seats are pretty bad.

Like Reply