What the end of the Ford Ranger says about working in America

[sblake01]

"Sometime Friday (December 16, 2011), the final Ford Ranger pickup will be driven off the assembly line in St. Paul, Minn., ending an 86-year run for a factory opened by Henry Ford. Here's what the end of the Ranger means for work in America."

Entire article:
http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/end-ford-ranger-says-working-america-183034573.html

 

[shovelmike]

That's a good article, and sums it up pretty well. As citizens with much at stake we must demand that government at all levels be reduced in size and scope. We must take our freedoms back, get back to strong individual responsibility and no expect government to step in with a solution to every woe.

 

[four100d]

Another good article:
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/12/end-of-the-line-ford-ranger-production-ends-today.html

 

[RollinWOT]

Somebody should buy the production rights for the Ranger from Ford and build it in a small company dedicated to strictly Rangers. I think Ford is rather stupid for discontinuing one of the best pickups ever made.

 

[bobbywalter]

they would never sell it....i would kill them with a diesel ranger that turned 15's and got 35 mpg...


after we cut up the epa into a rational entity first of course....


and let teenagers work on farms....ya know sensible shit like that...

 

[hondaxr650]

We all love our Rangers because we are enthusiasts but we are a very small minority. Here in the northwest, Crew cab Tacomas, Frontiers and Colorados outnumber Rangers by probably 10 to 1. I think Ford is really missing the boat by not offering a crewcab Ranger in the states. I have seen sales of the Ranger dwindle to almost nothing at my dealership over the last few years or so. I can't even remember the last time I worked on a Ranger here. It's probably been weeks. We just don't sell 'em anymore. 99.9% of the population won't even notice it's gone. Very sad that they made no attempt to save it. 4 real doors are what most people with families want these days.

 

[bilzy7]

That was my major reason for switching to an explorer. I could rebuild my tranny, or junk it and buy a 118k mile explorer for 2200. I have one son and a daughter on the way. I love the ranger and don't like the other small pickups. It's simple and gets the job done. A switch to explorer was a necessity in my case.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

We all love our Rangers because we are enthusiasts but we are a very small minority. Here in the northwest, Crew cab Tacomas, Frontiers and Colorados outnumber Rangers by probably 10 to 1. I think Ford is really missing the boat by not offering a crewcab Ranger in the states. I have seen sales of the Ranger dwindle to almost nothing at my dealership over the last few years or so. I can't even remember the last time I worked on a Ranger here. It's probably been weeks. We just don't sell 'em anymore. 99.9% of the population won't even notice it's gone. Very sad that they made no attempt to save it. 4 real doors are what most people with families want these days.

Compact trucks are a minority around here, and by far and way most are standard or extended cab.

 

[hondaxr650]

Compact trucks are a minority around here, and by far and way most are standard or extended cab.

Funny how different regions have different wants and needs. You can't go anywhere around here without seeing a small crewcab or two at every intersection.

 

[Riq21]

Was bound to happen sooner or later. Cost crept too close to the F150...

 

[MarkI]

One of the most affordable compact pickups on the market is Ford Ranger. This is the reason why Ford fans are angry about the end of the Ford Ranger. The business is still taking stick over it from consumers. Nissan Motors, however, hopes to woo them over to the Nissan Frontier pickup, which the company wants to start selling to even more light pickup fans. I found this here: Nissan woos disgruntled Ford enthusiasts with Frontier pickup.

 

[DoctorPhate]

See now up around here(ottawa Canada) there are very few pick ups at all. Most people are driving 40-50k+ Sedans or SUVs but thats because over half the population of this city is employed by our Federal government and they severely over pay(Example: Secretaries make 40k to start)

The few trucks you see in town are half ton trucks, however once you get outside of town into Osgoode, Kemptville, stittsville, merrickville, etc you see quite a few pick ups and I would say the majority are ford rangers.

Here in Canada we pay DOUBLE what you pay for gas so for many people who need to haul around stuff we simply cant afford the insurance, car payment AND gas of the F150.

Highest selling vehicle in Canada for a few years now has been the Honda Civic, I like to think its because of gas prices. I prefer to buy domestic when possible.

 

[kemo]

Ford would have done pretty good with a whole new engine lineup and a bit of an update to the truck. I mean, 2.0 ecoboost or even the 3.7, new 6 speed transmission, they could have easily brought the fuel mileage up and set the bar in the small truck market.

BUT... they felt the F150 with the 3.7 is the ranger alternative, and somehow the Fiesta too.

 

[DoctorPhate]

It certainly isn't in the same price range. Even a BASIC F150 you're looking at 25 grand where as my step father just bought a brand new Ranger 6 months ago fully loaded with every option for 19grand during employee pricing.

The basic ranger was selling for like 14,500 if you wanted 4cyl, manual, no options.

And the cheapest F150 on the lot at the local dealership right now is a 2012 for 39k not very economical.

Edit: I found this one outside town.. http://inventory.kanataford.com/new/vehicle/2012-ford-f-150-id128971.htm Still 22k for something that is overkill for most people around here.

 

[kemo]

It certainly isn't in the same price range. Even a BASIC F150 you're looking at 25 grand where as my step father just bought a brand new Ranger 6 months ago fully loaded with every option for 19grand during employee pricing.

The basic ranger was selling for like 14,500 if you wanted 4cyl, manual, no options.

And the cheapest F150 on the lot at the local dealership right now is a 2012 for 39k not very economical.

It is if you actually utilize it. Most people use them as grocery getters... because it is "hip" to have a truck, remember?

Shoot, I almost bought a new F150 with that sticker price. I decided against it... and after seeing the 2013 Mustang, I might be getting the new pony!