Ford Reviving Ranger Mid-Size Pickup for 2019

January 10 15:43 2017

Ford didn’t release any further details about the new Bronco at the vehicle show. Details on the Bronco are a bit fuzzier, but Ford does say that it’ll be a “no-compromise mid-size 4×4 utility for thrill seekers who want to venture way beyond the city”.

Ford Bronco had a successful run for 30 years from 1966 to 1996 before the company chose to cease the production due to fall in sales. The national news networks (including cable upstart CNN) pre-empted their live television programs in order to show the police chase to 95 million Americans. President-elect Donald Trump leveraged criticism at the USA automaker for moving small vehicle production to Mexico, a decision that has since changed.

Many enthusiasts have expressed hope a new Bronco would look back to the 1960s for styling cues, though it’s not clear what direction Ford is looking to take.

Ford announced on Monday that they are bringing back the Bronco model.

Ford’s confirmation that two iconic nameplates will return to the USA on Monday is the latest sign of the brand’s efforts to reshuffle its crossover/SUV lineup.

So, now that we know Ford plans to sell a new Bronco SUV in 2020, what exactly do we know about it?

A Ford Bronco concept model was presented back in 2004 at the New York Auto Show, showing a much more rugged body than previous builds, and that looked nothing like the last vehicles manufactured.

The Honda Ridgeline was named truck of the year, while the Pacifica minivan from Fiat Chrysler won the award for as top utility vehicle, the first time an award was given separately for that category. Foreign automakers and General Motors, with its Chevy Suburban, caught up to Ford by the 1990s, and so the company officially ended production of the Bronco in 1996. It now is converting plants in MI and IL to handle expanded truck demand.

Rumors about the Bronco’s and Ranger’s return have been floating around the auto industry for a couple of years.

However, it won’t simply be a rebadged version of the Ford Everest, an SUV based on the Ranger.

The Chevy Bolt from General Motors has snagged the annual award for the top auto in North America.

“For the workers in the Wayne Integrated Stamping and Assembly Plant, having this hot-selling SUV is great because it has a higher profit margin, it is going to have better sales, and they won’t have weeks of shutdown because of the demand was soft for the Focus”. Dana has promised at least 300 new jobs at the plant.

Ford's John Hinrich

Ford Reviving Ranger Mid-Size Pickup for 2019
 
 
  Categories: