not for USA: new "global" Ford Ranger

[haven]

Pickuptrucks.com has a nice piece on the new Ford Ranger, built in Thailand and South Africa for distribution around the world. The new truck is longer, wider and taller than the model it replaces. It's slightly larger than the Toyota Tacoma sold in USA, and about 90% the size of an F150.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/0...ing-the-all-new-global-ford-rangers-size.html

On the world market, the Ranger will compete with newly re-designed models of the Toyota Hilux, Mazda BT-20 (a Ranger clone), Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu DMax, VW Amarok and Chevrolet Colorado. None will be available in USA.

The Nissan Frontier sold in USA is probably the pickup model that is most similar to the model sold internationally.

 

[jasonL_031]

damn thats a nice looking ranger..... why cant NA get them????

 

[Cards81fan]

damn thats a nice looking ranger..... why cant NA get them????

Some nonsense about it stealing sales from the F150, like they expect every former Ranger owner to just blindly move up to a half ton truck because Ford puts their name on it.

Because, you know... the former Ranger owners won't buy a Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, GM/Chevrolet Canyon/Colorado once the Ranger is gone :coffeedrink:

I used to drive a Ranger (1994), and though it was a stripped down 2wd, I loved it. If they made a quad cab, or even an extended cab with "other than" jump seats, I would have owned it instead of my Dodge. But Ford doesn't see a market for them, supposedly.

 

[alaskaboy]

And it comes in diesel!

 

[TwoTrack]

Makes me sad. Everything keeps getting bigger. Even the Toyotas and Nissans. "Mini trucks" are going away. Soon a "Mini Truck" will be the size of the current F150. They say there is no market for them, but I think once they discontinue it they will realize there is a demand and they will start producing it again.

As we've previously reported. Ford says the new Ranger won't be available in the U.S. because it's 90 percent of the size of the F-150. We'll let you do the math and ponder the following: Compared to the global Ranger, the 2011 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab's overall length is three inches shorter, its wheelbase is the same and it's two inches wider. Toyota sold more than 100,000 Tacomas in the U.S. last year.

 

[haven]

"everything keeps getting bigger..."

Sad but true. I bet if you compare the dimensions of the new Ranger with an F150 from the early 1990s, they will be about the same size. The current F150 is pretending to be a mini-Peterbilt. Standing next to the truck, I can just barely look into the bed.

When you compare the EPA ratings for fuel economy for 2011 trucks, the Ford Ranger V6 comes out a couple of mpg less than the F150 with 3.7L V6. So Ford says, "Who would buy a small truck if it's not more economical?" and they cancel the Ranger.

The fact is the new F150 uses all sorts of tricks to improve its fuel mileage. Apply the same tricks to the smaller and lighter Ranger (or import the Ranger's small diesel) and its fuel economy numbers will improve, too.

 

[OTR]

I call BS on the Ranger pulling a Bobcat on a trailer with no compression on the rear springs. That would be one heck of a truck if it had that much towing capacity.

 

[MrBeast]

It looks like a Toyota Tacoma

 

[MrBeast]

I call BS on the Ranger pulling a Bobcat on a trailer with no compression on the rear springs. That would be one heck of a truck if it had that much towing capacity.

You are right there, I used to tow a bobcat around with my 72 Blazer that had tons and a big block in it, and you still felt it.

 

[rdraider]

Last time i heard they were replacing the ranger with an updated F100. That was a couple of months ago. And as far as the F150 being to big, its about the same size as the 80's early 90's models. The Late 97-03 models were lambasted at the beginning for being small for a full size truck.

All that being said, I still wish we'd get this new international version with a diesel, but i know it won't happen.

 

[ki4iwd]

those pics look like the f100 prototype i saw at a car show in fl last year

 

[haven]

One comment on the Pickuptrucks.com web site makes sense to me. If Ford were to import the new Ranger to USA, it would be in the 2013 model year. That year is scheduled for a refresh of the F150 design. It's possible that Ford will produce a new F150 that is lighter and more fuel efficient than today's model. It might even be a bit smaller. The 2013 F250/F350/F450 would become a separate heavy duty line.

If this scenario is true, the 2013 Ranger and 2013 F150 would be quite similar to each other. Maybe it's OK that we won't get the Ranger, after all.

 

[r_w]

they may just rebadge it as the F150 for here.

As far as the diesel (or gas MPG for that matter), the EPA has made it impossible. grrr.

 

[OTR]

I don't think Ford would consider replacing the F-150 with an import. Chevy and Dodge would have a field day with that. For the last several years it has been a bigger is better philosophy with 1/2 ton trucks. I would be amazed if Ford "downsized" the F-150 platform.
I see them getting rid of the Ranger completely since the newer F series motor can get better mileage for the same price.

 

[helcaraxe]

That reminds me of the Explorer Sport Trac, to be honest