There is an increasingly persistent rumor that Ford is bringing its Ranger pickup truck back to the U.S. Sources with knowledge of the situation say that the company is set to begin manufacturing the once-popular midsize vehicle at the Michigan Assembly Plant if the contract negotiations with the United Auto Workers (UWA) is successful, according to Detroit News. The report remains unconfirmed due to the sensitivity of the on-going talks.
Ford Ranger was discontinued in the U.S. in 2011 due to declining sales. There is an existing 2016 model, however - the one launched in the 2015 Bangkok International Motor Show - but it is not available in the U.S. This is unfortunate because the 2016 pickup seems fit for U.S. consumers with its three key strengths: styling, technology and fuel efficiency, noted Pickup Trucks.
Ford, however, has reiterated early this year that the 2016 compact pick-up is not for the North American market, citing sales concerns for the vehicle segment. The company has been focusing on manufacturing its full-size trucks, particularly the F-series lines, to cater to a market that has already consumed 1.2 million units in 2014, reported Auto Blog.
An upcoming deal with UWA, however, could lead to the reemergence of the Ranger, as production of the Ford Focus and C-Max will be moved out of Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant. Analysts point out that Ford is unlikely to close the plant for political reasons, especially when the American economy is going strong. The move, therefore, is widely seen as a confirmation for an imminent Ranger production.
Experts also explain that there is now an increasing demand for mid-size pickups, which could underpin Ford's recent Ranger plans. "Once upon a time, there were a lot of midsize trucks in this market. The ones that are available are cashing in on the demand," said Karl Bauer of Kelly Blue Book. This can be demonstrated in the current market success of Toyota's midsize Tacoma or the Nissan's Frontier pickup. The midsize pickups for these automakers are stylish and packed with high technology features, which appeal to the active and lifetyle conscious consumers. This could be what Ford is aiming for as it presently mulls the relaunch of the Ranger, according to The Motley Fool.
