Ford reconsidering small truck for America.

[Mustangfan2003]

http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1094829_ford-reconsidering-a-compact-pickup-ranger-replacement-for-u-s

[S204STi]

I'd like to see what they come up with, but not terribly excited about the speculation regarding a Fwd/awd platform. I'm sure it would be capable of filling the role, but I would prefer something a bit more rugged.

[Mustangfan2003]

That platform would work just fine for me.  About the biggest thing I would carry would be an atv or maybe a jet ski. 

[Pancor]

I wish they'd just use the last ranger platform, and update the rest of the truck to current levels of safety and refinement.   Small trucks were extremely popular, and not everyone wants to spend $30,000 on a "midsize" Tacoma/Frontier/Colorado.  I think it'd do allright.   

[280Z Turbo]

I wish they'd just use the last ranger platform, and update the rest of the truck to current levels of safety and refinement.   Small trucks were extremely popular, and not everyone wants to spend $30,000 on a "midsize" Tacoma/Frontier/Colorado.  I think it'd do allright.   

I hear this a lot, but I think such people are in the minority. Credit is too easy these days. There's no demand for vinyl floors and roll up windows.

[Madman]

Today's Ford Ranger.....




Much more comfortable, doesn't ride like the axles have been welded straight to the chassis and your cargo won't get wet or stolen.

[Mustangfan2003]

I hear this a lot, but I think such people are in the minority. Credit is too easy these days. There's no demand for vinyl floors and roll up windows.

Also, the seats tend to suck in the base model trucks. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

Fuck a FWD Ranger. I'll keep my car with a utility trailer.

[Mustangfan2003]

What about one of these?

[280Z Turbo]

What about one of these?

Yes, yes...good for hauling a load of pillows.

[Eye of the Tiger]

What about one of these?

That is awesome, as would be a Fiesta Ute.

[Mustangfan2003]

I worked with a guy that had one with a diesel.  I was a little jealous. 

[Byteme]

It will be interesting to see how this goes what with the new aluminum F150s getting the mileage they do.  2011 Ranger got 22/27. Ford won't want to introduce something that will just cannibalize F150 sales.

[Rupert]

I hear this a lot, but I think such people are in the minority. Credit is too easy these days. There's no demand for vinyl floors and roll up windows.

Sure there is, at last enough for those "options" to still be available. I've had a few new(er) fleet rigs over the past few years with vinyl and roll-ups.

[Rupert]

I'd love to see a $20k 4WD 4-cyl pickup.

[Mustangfan2003]

It will be interesting to see how this goes what with the new aluminum F150s getting the mileage they do.  2011 Ranger got 22/27. Ford won't want to introduce something that will just cannibalize F150 sales.

Well I'm not sure how many previous Ranger owners are currently jumping to an F150. 

[280Z Turbo]

I'd love to see a $20k 4WD 4-cyl pickup.

Well, doesn't sound there's much profit there. The purpose of a car company is to make money, not fill voids in the market.

[Rupert]

Well, doesn't sound there's much profit there. The purpose of a car company is to make money, not fill voids in the market.

Thanks for the lesson.

Mostly I'm surprised that there isn't a big enough hole in the cheap small practical truck market to make a profit.

[FoMoJo]

Well I'm not sure how many previous Ranger owners are currently jumping to an F150. 

Friend of mine did.  He was happy to have the excuse to get a full size.

[Eye of the Tiger]

The Ranger was a good compact 4x4.
What do we have for compact 4x4s anymore, or just any real 4x4?
Full size trucks are only for work or penis enlargement.
The Wrangler is almost the size of a full size truck now, so it doesn't csount.
None of the other Jeeps count.
The Dakota is huge. no longer built?
The new Colorado is huge and shitty.
I can't think of anything.

[Byteme]

Well I'm not sure how many previous Ranger owners are currently jumping to an F150.

Since Rangers are no longer being manufactured they have little choice if they want a Ford truck.

[Onslaught]

I'll never understand why the small trucks died. I make it no secret that I hate and despise the Ranger. Top 5 on my "go fucking burn to the ground" cars/trucks ever. But I think there's still a market for trucks that size with small engines.  Something the size of the mid 80's Toyota, Mazda or Nissan trucks. Not everyone wants or needs a huge ass truck.

[MX793]

Since Rangers are no longer being manufactured they have little choice if they want a Ford truck.

Apparently a fair number decided that if Ford wasn't going to build a small truck, they wouldn't be buying a truck from Ford.  I doubt Ford would be looking to get back into the small truck market if they saw F150 sales increase by as many Rangers they sold prior to its demise.

[2o6]

I feel like the return of the coupe utility is the only way a small truck will ever come back.


Something like a Sonic with a bed (Chevrolet Montana, sort of) or a Fiesta with a bed.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I feel like the return of the coupe utility is the only way a small truck will ever come back.


Something like a Sonic with a bed (Chevrolet Montana, sort of) or a Fiesta with a bed.

At least it could still manage 40 mpg if it was literally a Fiesta Ute.
If Ford goes and chops the back off a Transit Connect, stretches it so it can have a back seat, then gives it the CUV treatment of oversized wheels and a cosmetic lift kit, then the thing won't have any hopes of hitting over 25 mpg.

[S204STi]

I feel like the return of the coupe utility is the only way a small truck will ever come back.


Something like a Sonic with a bed (Chevrolet Montana, sort of) or a Fiesta with a bed.

Hmm... Nope.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Hmm... Nope.

Brat

[ifcar]

Well, doesn't sound there's much profit there. The purpose of a car company is to make money, not fill voids in the market.

Well, keep in mind that the old Ranger (and Colorado) started in the low/mid teens. Even the base stripped down Tacoma is only $21k. So this price point isn't too unrealistic.

And really, having a smaller, cheaper, less comfortable truck is really what will provide the least competition with the F-150 than a midsize model would. It would serve the customer who can't afford or doesn't want something big.

[Rupert]

Well, keep in mind that the old Ranger (and Colorado) started in the low/mid teens. Even the base stripped down Tacoma is only $21k. So this price point isn't too unrealistic.

And really, having a smaller, cheaper, less comfortable truck is really what will provide the least competition with the F-150 than a midsize model would. It would serve the customer who can't afford or doesn't want something big.

IIRC, 4WD trucks have been $25k+ for a long time.

[ifcar]

IIRC, 4WD trucks have been $25k+ for a long time.

I didn't realize how big the Tacoma's price jump is with 4WD but even today it's $24k base.