REPORT: Mullaly says global Ranger and Ka won't be offered in Ford's U.S. showrooms
Global Ford Ranger - Click above for high-res gallery
Ford has been working hard to integrate its product lineup on a global scale, but it appears that some models available overseas may never make it to U.S. shores. Ford CEO Alan Mulally has apparently told Automotive News that the Thai-built global Ranger and the A-Segment Ka likely won't be going on sale here in the States. Mulally had previously stated that both vehicles were under consideration for U.S. sale, but now the prognosis appears to be far more dire.The global Ford Ranger is a far more modern entry-level pickup than its U.S. counterpart which is scheduled to cease production in 2011. While the future of the Ranger is looking pretty bleak here in the States, it appears there is some hope that the shelved F-100 project could once again be in Dearborn's plans. Pickuptrucks.com is reporting that its sources indicate that the F-100, which is a lighter, shorter version of the popular F-150, is still being considered. The F-100 is said to be bigger in all dimensions than the global Ranger.
While there is still hope for a smaller truck in the Blue Oval's arsenal of products, there doesn't appear to be any pulse at all for an A-Segment hatch. Mulally reportedly told AN that the Ka is just too small to be successful in America, adding "Fiesta is about the smallest vehicle that we think will be a real success in the United States." The tiny Ka, which shares hardware with the soon-to-be-sold in the U.S. Fiat 500, is a full 25 inches shorter than the Fiesta.
Gallery: Geneva 2009: 2010 Ford Ranger (EU)
Gallery: 2009 Ford Ka
[Sources: Automotive News - subs req'd; Pickuptrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Francis 11:36AM (11/09/2009)
This is why we can't have nice things. The CEO doesn't let us.
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Mike!!ekiM 5:08PM (11/09/2009)
How does Thailand get a TURBO-DIESEL before the US.
More PROOF, these CEO's are turning the US into a Third-World-Country.
Francis 12:50PM (11/09/2009)
Mike, I propose that we a Muay Thai clinch and proceed to knee Alan Mulally in the trachea repeatedly.
bf71090 2:14PM (11/09/2009)
That's the exact opposite of my thinking Mike. I feel like the tiny and cheap piece of crap cars make sense in third-world countries, not in the U.S..
tanooki2003 2:18PM (11/09/2009)
NO NO NO! Shame on you Ford NA! You guys were on such a good roll and now you CEO guys decide to pull something as stupid as this?? Didn't you guys learn that globalization is where it's at, or did someone in the upper management use their fear mongering tactics to change your minds?
I hate to say that I was really rooting for Ford NA to make a complete recovery as one of the few American automotive companies to come back on top but that hope is once again starting to fade like it did back in the 90's. Remember consumers have a lot more respect for a company when they actually listen to them.
At least there is some hope for Hyundai and Kia because they actually listen to what consumers want, desire, and like instead of relying on their products to be based from decisions and designs only being made by the CEO's.
Paul 2:20PM (11/09/2009)
Nope. The problem is that their market research department is run by a know-nothing who landed in the job from a sales gig. They make huge decisions based on what (badly conducted) research (with flawed methodology) tells them.
In this case, I'm likely to agree about the Ranger. That thing is beyond tired and can't compete. But the Ka? I don't know. I think a sweetened "GTI" of sorts could sell extremely well if properly supported and priced.
naggs 3:31PM (11/10/2009)
regarding diesels in the US
actually we like clean air here, go to any european city and compare it to anywhere outside of LA
diesels are dirty dirty things that cost a lot of money to clean up to our standards, so much so that it just costs less to develop a hybrid for the US market
GOT 7:31AM (11/13/2009)
WHY!!! I was really wanting one of those new Rangers. I don't want a big truck!!! I also don't want a Toyota! Damn Ford!
BigDumbFace 11:41AM (11/09/2009)
F-100 would mean just tacking on more sales numbers to a really broad category that actually includes 3 separate trucks.
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stealthebeatles 12:48PM (11/09/2009)
If it were built off the F-150 platform, it would only be two separate trucks.
BigDumbFace 4:26PM (11/09/2009)
F-100, F-150, Superduty all go into 'F-series' sales.
Greg Aryous 11:46AM (11/09/2009)
This could be just a little double-talk to keep the competition guessing too. Mulally has also stated numerous times and stands behind being a "full line" provider including cars - utilities - trucks in small - medium - large segments... and those are his words!
I'd wait until 2012 to see what happens to the Range / F100...
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Yaroukh 1:24PM (11/09/2009)
Exactly, I don't think "no Ranger for US" means "no light truck for US".
And as many said, I can understand too that they're not bringing Ka state-side, even Fiesta is so-so.
Mike!!ekiM 9:23AM (11/10/2009)
1: According to this Peak Oil is REAL.
Which means, FORD's CEO doesn't Know the real situation with OIL?
Or is Ford getting Kick-backs from the Oil Industry.
2: You won't be prepared for Peak Oil Prices.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/09/peak-oil-international-energy-agency
chconline 11:46AM (11/09/2009)
The Ka would make an excellent daily driver for many people. Just bring us it and we'll buy it.
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216 11:50AM (11/09/2009)
that's what the fiesta is fore
Luis 12:03PM (11/09/2009)
I disagree...Americans don't like teensy cars. The Fiesta is small enough. Now if gas is $4/gallon it's a different story, but until then keeping the Ka away is a smart move. The Ranger, not so much.
Alex 12:30PM (11/09/2009)
I agree with Luis. The Ka is likely not going to sell in large enough numbers to be profitable. This may change if the Smart and IQ start killing the market, but i wouldn't hold my breath.
As for the Ranger, I would love to see it live on. Especially with a 4 or 6 cyl diesel. Lets hope Mahindra's pick-up make a solid case for the small diesel truck in the US.
greenz1977 3:38PM (11/09/2009)
I don't think our economy is poor enough yet to justify a car like that here. Most of us still have enough disposable income to afford to drive a nice car. But if Obama's health care plan passes and people like me end up paying a lot more in taxes, a cheap car like the Ka might be all we can afford.
J 11:47AM (11/09/2009)
Damnit
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