Ford Ranger to avoid the axe in '09?
As record fuel prices leave automakers' carefully-laid truck plans looking as if they've been bombarded by a squadron of B-52s, an unlikely survivor might poke its head through the wreckage at Ford: the Ranger. Originally slated to be given a gold watch, a pat on the back, and then shown the door in 2009, the Detroit News reports that the current Ranger might live on until 2011, when its new global replacement will be ready. Attractive fuel economy and good sales numbers -- the Ranger is the #2 compact truck behind the Taco, even though opening the door to the Ford is like stepping into a time machine to the 1990s -- might be the current Ranger's saviors. Salvation is not completely assured, however. Some investment would be required to keep Ranger alive no matter what, as the current truck doesn't have side airbags, which are required after 2009 (this was probably one of the reasons it was slated to die off then in the first place). Is spending money on the Ranger to extend its life just two years in Ford's best interests? Bean-counters will decide. In case you haven't noticed, they've been doing a lot of deciding, lately.
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Jack Anderson 1:13PM (6/25/2008)
Ford dealers love selling this truk. They sell all they can get ahold of.
That being said, how many could they sell if it was actually a good product? like the kind they sell in the rest of the world...
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:16PM (6/25/2008)
Agreed. Not only do trucks in this niche sell, but they sell despite not being very good.
Ford better concentrate on smaller trucks, because you can bet the other manufacturers will.
Maybe now we'll see the race to produce a good true small truck instead of the current race to produce the biggest small truck that produced things like the Tacoma and the now gone T100.
TriShield 1:06PM (6/25/2008)
Cheap, cheerful, compact, capable and frugal.
The Ranger is worth keeping around and refining.
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AutoXN 1:19PM (6/25/2008)
I own a 99 Mazda B4000 and have to say they are pretty good little trucks. Fuel mileage of the 4L is my only gripe ( Avg 18 MPG). 110,000 miles and no issues except for regular maintainance items. If Ford updated the suspension, installed a current efficient engine and transmission and a few more safety features, I would buy one again even being an older design. Consumers need to be asking themselves what they need, not what they want.
JayP 1:28PM (6/25/2008)
My '01 2.3 has done nothing but get me 27mpg on my 100 mile commute.
It's a little rough, but defiantly an overlooked gem*.
*if bought used with under 100k miles.
MemphisNET 1:33PM (6/25/2008)
Great truck - just severely outdated. The new 2.5 4cyl would be a great addition. The 4.0 litre is plenty powerful, just thirsty. EcoBoost 2.5 for the higher trim?
As for moving to the replacement, just kill it for two years. There are tons of quality used ones out there to keep people moving for a few years.
Bungle 6:13PM (6/25/2008)
I've got a 2005 Mazda B2300 (Ranger clone) with 19,700 miles, in *perfect* shape. Anyone want to buy it? I live in central Texas.
It's been a wonderful truck, and I only need to sell it because I don't use it much anymore. Believe me, you'll save a *ton* of money in gas, and it's still built like a tank.
Esprit bird 1:06PM (6/25/2008)
I say clean it up a bit, offer more options and packages and help it out and you've got a solid truck there.
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Rafael Illan 1:15PM (6/25/2008)
the ecoboost will make this a fine truck
SITEiNK 3:19PM (6/26/2008)
i don't understand why Ford cant find it in their heart to consistently update and redesign great little items like this.
Another strong item they had that was left to bleed to death was the Taurus. Once a very strong seller, it was allowed to grow old and tired compared to the foreign competitors that enjoyed consistent updating and now today as a result appreciate the top spots.
The econoline is also victim of the same neglect. It too could be so much better.
mk 1:51PM (6/25/2008)
You mean to tell me that Ford can't afford to update this old dog?
They have been milking this for DECADES. This truck is so paid-for it isn't even funny.
Ford is officially completely stupid.
Liquidating brands for the quick high, and talking about doing it again for Volvo.
Starving Mercury to near death... and no food in sight.
Continuing to weaken Lincoln's standing as re-badged FORDS. It is bad enough that Mercury is that, Lincoln should be even more yet.
More big trucks that they can't sell.
More Mustangs that are under-equipped, and no other coupe options, aside from the econo-focus, which itself is an old-dog in newly groomed fur.
Now a dinosaur (I owned a 2000 4x4 XLT Off-Road. I know what I am talking about) that should have been replaced LONG AGO, is being kept on life support still, rather than being re-designed before being replaced in FIVE YEARS FROM NOW?
I am about this }{ close to writing Ford off completely. I used to be such a Ford fan, too.
Have they shown any competence at ALL, lately?
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Gramps 1:16PM (6/25/2008)
Prediction:
With 5 dollar gas, the beauty of a cheap & simple, easy-to-maintain, and fuel-efficient compact pickup will be re-discovered and re-appreciated by the American Public, en masse. Soon.
2 suggestions for Ford to make the Ranger sing:
1) Bring the crew-cab version of it to the states that is currently sold in Mexico.
and
2) Throw a small diesel in that puppy! Americans love diesels in their large pickups already. Wait 'til they see that in small truck it gets 'em 40 mpg. You won't be able to build enough.
With rapid-fire downsizing on every American's mind, 2009 could very well turn out to be the year of the Ranger.
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:36PM (6/25/2008)
Americans love Diesels in their large trucks? Over 90% of large trucks in the hands of the general public (not contractors) are gas powered. That doesn't seem like a lot of love to me.
Oh, and
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/06/25/ford-selling-fewer-diesels-more-gas-engines-in-trucks/
Jason 2:03PM (6/25/2008)
@ why not the LS2LS7?: source of that 90% statistic? Guess that probably includes 1/2 ton trucks huh, which aren't even offered with a diesel in the first place (yet), since according to that link diesels still make up 60% of SuperDuty sales (down from 75%). I realize the truck market here in TX might be a bit different than the rest of the country, but you just about can't find a 3/4 or 1-ton truck that's a gasser around here.
And FWIW, my primary vehicle is a 1-ton diesel Ram Megacab. My commuter is a 4-banger Ranger though (consistent 28mpg highway).
Gramps 2:21PM (6/25/2008)
Hey, I don't want to argue with anyone about reality.
Whether or not at least a significant portion of America loves Diesels in their trucks is matter of fact-checking, I think! The most-capable superduty trucks seem to be Cummins Diesels. My truck friends seem proudest of the Diesel-powered Dually trucks that can pull a house off of its foundation.
My main point is this:
If there is a type of vehicle that Americans will embrace a diesel engine in, it is the pickup truck.
And there are literally thousands of hard-working diesels doing the stump-pulling and hardest hauls already plying America's highways.
Any negative connotations that a diesel engine has in a passenger car are MORE than overcome with people's positive associations with a diesel engine in a pickup - so acceptance would be quicker/greater there than in, say, a Ford Fusion.
But once the word-of-mouth starts spreading that "The tough-as-nails diesel in that Ranger gets 40 mpg," then watch out.
The Ford Ranger (or a similar small pickup, like, say the new Mahindra that's coming soon) could really be the catalyst that sets off "Diesel Fever" in the States.
mdm-adph 3:03PM (6/25/2008)
@ why not the LS2LS7?:
Ever stop to think that even if that statistic were true (source?), that maybe it's only because gas trucks are easier to get?
Rafael Illan 1:16PM (6/25/2008)
Ford should bring the ecoboost engine to this pickup.
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:19PM (6/25/2008)
Which ecoboost engine? The twin-turbo V6?
You do realize ecoboost isn't terrible economical, right? It's really a way of stuffing huge engines into vehicles while paying slightly less fuel consumption penalty.
I think for now something like GMs 4-5-6 cylinder Atlas engines are the right kind of thing for small trucks. The beefy 4-cylinder is good for light duty, like pool boys and the 5 can be the powerful variant.
Rafael Illan 1:17PM (6/25/2008)
Ford should bring the ecoboost engine to this pickup.
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Jordan 1:23PM (6/25/2008)
I hope Ford never brings the ecoboost. Why the hell would you want that engine?
I just want the regular 263hp Duratec 35. Beats the guzzler 4.0 in power and frugality.