Courier?

[85_Ranger4x4]

Exactly. If you run a business and need a fleet of 10 vehicles to haul car parts around you dont want to spend 40 grand on each truck because its turbo charged with 4 wheel drive, locking diffs, ass warmers, leather interior and built in wifi. You need cheap reliable trucks with a bed and a steering wheel, AM radio if you want to get really fancy.

I think that is why they still make XL's.

 

[Dirtman]

I think that is why they still make XL's.

But the 2019 xls are a far cry from a 2011 xl. And cost about 15k more... even with 8 years of inflation thats nuts.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

But the 2019 xls are a far cry from a 2011 xl. And cost about 15k more...

2011's sold for $11k new?

The Focus that this new "Courier" is based on isn't much cheaper than than a XL Ranger.

I am not trying to knock this thing, I can see its market. I don't know if it will be substantially cheaper than a Ranger though.

 

[donaldcon]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/247348802617144/

Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk

 

[Dirtman]

2011's sold for $11k new?

The Focus that this new "Courier" is based on isn't much if any cheaper than than a XL Ranger.

I am not trying to knock this thing, I can see its market. I don't know if it will be substantially cheaper than a Ranger though.

My 09 xl fleet was 12k new. I could have bought it for around 10 if I was buying more than one lol. I dont know what they plan on pricing these things at so yea if they try selling them for 25k+ you have a point and itll be a bust because why not just get a ranger at that point. but if they try selling them like the original xl fleet trucks even under 20k with no feature options the market will be there.

The 2017 fiestas my warehouse is using were bought for around 12k each (obviously apples and oranges) but how much more can a base model focus cost? Drop more features (the base fiestas still have media and phone sync stuff and alot of other nonsense uneeded in a fleet vehicle which could all be ditched in the courier) and save more money.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My 09 xl fleet was 12k new. I could have bought it for around 10 if I was buying more than one lol. I dont know what they plan on pricing these things at so yea if they try selling them for 25k+ you have a point and itll be a bust because why not just get a ranger at that point. but if they try selling them like the original xl fleet trucks even under 20k with no feature options the market will be there.

I just checked, the base focus with a 5-speed starts at $15k. Automatic bumps it to $16k.

 

[Dirtman]

I just checked, the base focus with a 5-speed starts at $15k. Automatic bumps it to $16k.

That aint bad and like i said a base focus has a TON of standard options not needed for a courier. The courier if anything should be cheaper. You dont need a sync system, color changing interior lights, and all that nonsense. 15k is still 10 under the ranger xl.

 

[RonD]

On my trip "down under" I saw lots of these "utes" on the road, very popular
Many had Ford Blue Oval badges as well
And they came with V6 or optional V8

https://jalopnik.com/how-australias-coolest-little-truckets-are-showing-up-1557594577

Even had a 4 Door called a "Crewman": https://www.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews/holden-crewman-used-car-review-117931

 

[Dirtman]

I know they are garbage cars/trucks but ive always liked the style of those aussie holden pickup car things...

 

[don4331]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/247348802617144/

I was thinking more like https://www.smythkitcars.com/jetta-golf-ute

There's enough of market that Mark Smyth has built a business out of it; with a kit cost (which leaves him some profit) of <$3k. And Ford could do it easier (cheaper) as it would be designed from start.

Transit Connect, Escape and Focus are all on same platform; so AWD shouldn't be out of question. I can work with 750-1k lb payload/3.5k lb towing (I'll give up some of Transit Connect's payload for higher towing limits of the Escape). Ideally, it would be plug in hybrid although that probably forces me to automatic.

I'd want base Sync to connect phone/Android Auto but no need for Nav/Sirius, I can have my own tunes/Google maps on the phone.

This would be my 2nd vehicle so it doesn't need to seat 7 (or even 3).

 

[Jim Oaks]

That link is an interesting reminder that Ford and VW partnered up.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That link is an interesting reminder that Ford and VW partnered up.

I wonder if they did it so VW could learn how to get a diesel past the smog sniffer (legally)?