NAIAS 2017: Ford Makes Me Giddy With Just Two Short Paragraphs, Confirms Bronco and Ranger

by Mark Stevenson

Published: January 9th, 2017

naias 2017 ford makes me giddy with just two short paragraphs confirms bronco and

We knew it would happen, but now it’s official.

Ford, in two very short paragraphs bookended by more spilled corporate ink over mobility and futurethink, has given me a reason to save my nickels and dimes for 2020.

The Bronco, like the Terminator, will be back.

(Oh, and the Ranger is coming back too.)

According to a release from Ford, the Dearborn automaker will bring a brand-new Ranger to market in North America in 2019, followed by the Bronco in 2020. The SUV’s rebirth, while born in Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, could be a global affair, depending on how you read Ford’s release:

Ranger and Bronco Return

Ford is bringing back the Ranger midsize pickup truck to its North American vehicle lineup in 2019 and Bronco midsize SUV to its global vehicle portfolio in 2020. Both vehicles will be manufactured at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan.

“We’ve heard our customers loud and clear. They want a new generation of vehicles that are incredibly capable yet fun to drive,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Ranger is for truck buyers who want an affordable, functional, rugged and maneuverable pickup that’s Built Ford Tough. Bronco will be a no-compromise midsize 4×4 utility for thrill seekers who want to venture way beyond the city.”

Beyond the statement above, we’re still no closer to knowing anything about the Bronco beyond its Ranger bones and its intention to take on the venerable Wrangler. Will it be two- and four-door? Will it look the same as a Ranger ahead of the A-pillar? Could Ford stick a diesel in it to give off-roaders some extra torque? It’s all up in the air — or not, if Ford decides not to make the new Bronco a convertible this time around.

All I can say is this: Ford, if build it right, my checkbook will be ready in 2020.

#Ford #FordBronco #FordRanger #JeepWrangler #NAIAS #NorthAmericanInternationalAutoShow #Pickup #SUV

Mark Stevenson

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5 of 52 comments

Skor on Jan 10, 2017

Will the new Bronco be closer to the chopped F-150 of OJ infamy, or the Jeep-like Bronco of the 60s?

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- Adam Tonge on Jan 10, 2017
  
  Technically it'll be a Bronco II since it shares stuff with the Ranger. That being said, it's supposed to be a Wrangler competitor. We'll have to wait and see how far Ford goes with that though.
  
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Jcisne on Jan 10, 2017

Could this be the new Bronco? The Everest is based on the current Ranger. https://www.ford.com.au/suv/everest/

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- Adam Tonge on Jan 10, 2017
  
  Kind of
  
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- RobertRyan on Jan 10, 2017
  
  @jcisne Shortened wheelbase version of the Everest will underpin the Bronco. Everest is pretty heavy for an Off Roader coming in at 5300-5400lb
  
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