It has been 3 years since the last Ranger and over 20 years since the last Ford Bronco rolled off the assembly line. Once proud staples of the Ford brand, the Ranger and Bronco offered an alternative utility vehicle for customers who didn’t want a full size pickup. Earlier in the week in a contract between the United Auto Workers and Ford Motor company hinted details of a return of both the Ranger and Bronco.
Ford released this official statement:
“We will move production of the next-generation Ford Focus and C-MAX, which currently are built at Michigan Assembly Plant, beginning in 2018. We actively are pursuing future vehicle alternatives to produce at Michigan Assembly and will discuss this issue with UAW leadership as part of the upcoming negotiations.”
The Detroit Free Press offered details on the proposed agreement:
“The new product investments include a commitment by Ford to bring its Ranger midsize pickup back to America and to revive the storied Bronco nameplate. Both would be built at the Michigan Assembly Plant which will stop making the Ford Focus and C-Max families of vehicles there in 2018.”
This is great news for Ford fans that will be in the market for a midsize pickup. However, customers looking for more of the off-road capable Bronco, production is expected to start after the Ranger but but no later than 2020.
i would love to buy a ranger with a v8 motor.i pull a boat and i found the old rangers under powered with the 6 cyl. engines and they were not good on gas.
Actually, I hope they put a V6 diesel in the Ranger and Bronco.
Imagine 50% more torque than a V8 with 50% better economy, and double the lifespan.
And for the love of God, PUT A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN IT!!!
Yup Jim, a Ranger with a V-8 would be an awesome truck.
I’m sure it would result in Big sales.