U.S. won’t get 2011 Ford Ranger

[MM2004]

Ford Motor Co. introduced an all-new Ranger compact pickup at an Australian auto show Thursday that will be sold in 180 markets — but the United States and Canada are not among them.
That means when the current Ranger is discontinued at the end of next year,

American buyers will have to choose the full-size F-150 if they want a Ford pickup.

The new, global Ranger is larger than previous models, putting it close in size to the current F-150, said Ford truck marketing manager Doug Scott.

And the two trucks overlap in price. The current Ranger is priced from $13,000 to $25,000; the F-150 sells from $20,000 to $50,000.

Scott said there isn't as much North American demand for a compact pickup as elsewhere.

The segment has gone from 1 million units less than a decade ago to about 230,000 today — largely because when consumers find out they can move up to an F-150 from a Ranger for about $20 a month, they go for the larger truck.

Jim Collins of Greensboro, N.C., is disappointed. He wanted to replace his Ranger with a new model and he thinks the global truck's larger size is ideal for his needs.

"I can drive to and from work and maneuver into a tight parking space. I don't need the entire parking lot to turn around in. And I can haul plywood, building supplies or tow a trailer while still getting decent gas mileage."

Collins said that while he prefers a Ford and doesn't like Chevrolet's styling, "this may force me to try a Chevy Colorado."

Scott said some Ranger buyers in the past were young and first-time consumers who weren't necessarily in the market for a truck; it was one of the most affordable choices and they based their decision on price.

Some of those buyers, he speculated, may end up in a Ford Focus compact car.
Others may turn in their Ranger for a utility vehicle, such as the Escape.

In markets where the new global Ranger is being sold, it often is used as a work truck or becomes the single family vehicle, Scott said.

Ford is hoping buyers recognize the new lineup of F-150s with more fuel-efficient engines, including two V-6s, and will want the larger pickup.

Mike.

[yjmud]

just when you think Ford wasn't stupid they do a bunch of dumb-ass things

[Matt In Detroit]

stupid move....

[Egon Spengler]

I had a Ranger and for the small truck, it got s***ty gas mileage. I liked the truck and miss having a pick-up. I think when the marauder goes, I will be getting a pick-up. I guess not a Ranger though!

[SC Cheesehead]

just when you think Ford wasn't stupid they do a bunch of dumb-ass things


stupid move....


For sure...:shake:

I've owned two Rangers and both were great trucks. My wife talked me into trading in my '01 XLT Extended Cab for her Escape Hybrid and I regret it to this day.

My next vehicle, new or used, is going to be another pick up. If new, guess it won't be a Ranger. :(

[Egon Spengler]

My next vehicle, new or used, is going to be another pick up. If new, guess it won't be a Ranger. :(
Is there an echo in the thread? LOL I like where your head is at!

[Bigdogjim]

I have a short bed regular cab F-150(1995) and no problem parking anywhere:)

MPG's suck...............about 11:mad:

[ImpalaSlayer]

my ranger got awesome mileage at 28-30 but i needed more space which is why i got the bronco.

[RR|Suki]

small tuck sales are half what they used to be so they decided to stop sales here. Doesn't seem like rocket science.


Scott said there isn't as much North American demand for a compact pickup as elsewhere.

The segment has gone from 1 million units less than a decade ago to about 230,000 today — largely because when consumers find out they can move up to an F-150 from a Ranger for about $20 a month, they go for the larger truck.

[SC Cheesehead]

my ranger got awesome mileage at 28-30 but i needed more space which is why i got the bronco.

I had a '96 XLT Flareside with a 4 cyl and 5 speed when I first started working at Fluor, was commuting around 500 miles per week, and routinely got over 30 mpg on it.

My '01 had the big V6 in it with an auto trans, mileage wasn't as good (mid-20's), but with the longer wheelbase it was a great highway cruiser.

The wife's Escape is okay for hauling some stuff, but IMO, nothing beats a pick up if you need to haul stuff around.

[Hacklemerc]

I had a '97 XLT regular cab, a '00 XLT extended cab, and a '01 XLT 4X4. Loved them all. The '01 got horrible mileage, but that was because it had giant offroad tires. Its a shame that Ford is screwing the pooch on with this.

[ImpalaSlayer]

I had a '96 XLT Flareside with a 4 cyl and 5 speed when I first started working at Fluor, was commuting around 500 miles per week, and routinely got over 30 mpg on it.

My '01 had the big V6 in it with an auto trans, mileage wasn't as good (mid-20's), but with the longer wheelbase it was a great highway cruiser.

The wife's Escape is okay for hauling some stuff, but IMO, nothing beats a pick up if you need to haul stuff around.

mine had the 2.3 with the 5 speed as well

[FordNut]

Ford taking themselves out of another market segment. Idiots.

Fuel economy-wise, my most efficient car right now is the wife's totally stock Marauder, it usually gets 20-21 mpg in mixed driving. Second is my '01 F150 with 4.6 and automatic, it usually gets about 18 in mixed driving.

[69428SCJ]

To me this makes sense. I might not be as in the loop as others when it comes to future Ford products, but aren't they bringing back the F-100??? I thought I read that somewhere...

[Got_1]

Engine and lack of crew cab option is what killed this truck. they could have MADE a market for the Ranger.

[Vortex]

Ithink that new Aussie pickup is pretty ugly myself and have always thought the present US market Ranger is a real nice looking small truck. As with the Panther, all it needed was an engine change. Ive never understood why Ford didnt put one of their small, euro-type 4 cylinder diesels in them.

[bugsyc]

I have a 06 dodge dakota..love it. I've driven my friends ranger,the dakota is better.I know we're Ford men,but my dakota with their magnum v8 runs real good..just my 2cents..:cool4:

[RoyLPita]

I wonder what Mazda is going to do after the Ranger is done with production.

[Matt In Detroit]

No F100 in the plans. Yes the sales are small but if we gave it a good redesign and offered a diesel in it i think it would sell. I think this is a bad move on managements behalf. In a time when everyone is looking to downsize Ford says..."we'll get em in a F150", but these buyers dont want a big truck. I like Ford management, but not on this move.

[Shora]

What I think is not being noticed here is that the Ranger is currently so outdated it would take heaps of money making it competitive in the market. Sorry, but the Frontier and Tacoma run circles around it.

Currently, the Rangers feel so very cheap inside.

The F-150, in any forum, is one of the best engineered vehicles on the road and feels so much more upscale and solid than the Ranger.

The Rangers are not that cheap once one adds basic options and they honestly don't get that good of MPG.

Now that one can have an F-150 with some sweets V-6s to choose from, it was a great move not to spend any more money on the Ranger.

IMO, if I had to guess, it would be that FOMOCO is attempting to imitate Honda in many ways. One of them is limiting their markets and lowering the choices for consumers, but really excelling in what they do end up pursuing/ offering.

My 2Cents.

Edit: Well, I've had a chance to see pics of this new Ranger that ya'll have been speaking of and it just kills all the arguments I made above. It looks like they ALREADY spent the money redesigning the Ranger. It looks so much better IMHO. I mean, it looks straight up bad a$$.

Kills the Dodge and Chevy with no effort and looks it could beat the Frontier and Tacoma as well.

Looks aside, it seems well engineered too (not just carry over).

Maybe they are not selling it in the States simply because the F-150s will yeild higher profits and for no other reason?

[wht02lightning]

Everyones so quick to judge. Im sure they have reasons. One of which being capital to spend. In a dangerously bad economy Ford is doing what they think will make money. Id rather have a FoMoCo thats making a profit than a company with great offerings that arent selling. It may not be coming to the US because of the massive differances in safty standards. It costs millions to certify a platform in the US. GM did it with the GTO and never made the money back. In this economy you have to be lean to make it. Only time will tell what works, but whos to say it wont return after the markets go up