Ranger returns in 2012

[pacodiablo]

The bronco is comin back?? The f100 is comin back???? *faints*

No, and no.

The Bronco was green lighted for production a couple years back when SUVs were still popular. Nobody is spending any money on R&D for SUVs right now though, let alone a two door, so the Bronco won't be back for a while.

The F-100 was to be a Dakota sized truck with a V6 and V8, but it was scrapped when the truck market tanked over the summer. I for one am very happy the F-100 is dead, as Ford would have used it to replace the Ranger.

However, I don't like the fact that the next Ranger will be a foreign designed and possibly foreign built truck. The American market Ranger has traditionally been an American designed and built vehicle. Austrailia can build a good truck, but I really like my American designed and built Ranger and would like to replace it with another one.

 

[jdc215]

dont get me wrong i support domestic production but personally i dont care if the new ranger is built in australia, good people, capitolist, just so long as its up to par so far as quality and design.

 

[xr8d302]

Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Mustang

Ideas (some pirated, some of my own)

- Rebadge the Mazda3 with a Ford symbol and call it the escort.
- Make a Fusion/Taurus combination, call it the Taurus, get rid of the Fusion name
- Leave the Mustang

Ranger, F-150, F-250, F-350, (and bigger)

- Don't touch Ford's truck lineup

Escape, Edge, TaurusX, Flex, Explorer Sport Trac, Explorer, Expedition

- Kill the TaurusX, Flex, Sport Trac, Explorer, and Expedition
- Retain the Escape (it will sell)
- With all the extra money, make a solid Bronco at different levels of trim and off road Capability.

This would leave Ford with the Escort, Taurus and Mustang, it's successful line of trucks, and Escape, Edge (need a crossover nowadays) and Bronco....

Cutting the ridiculous line up of vehicles nobody wants over a Toyota can help Ford to concentrate their funds on vehicles that people actually need

Toyota doesn't flood the market with new cars, and they do well because they sell what they build

Our North American companies throw out all these vehicles with the hope people will love them....bad idea financially, no question about that...

just my .02

 

[Ozwynn]

In these days when everybody wants a truck that rides like a car, I don't see anybody releasing a solid axle truck. IMO

whens the last time you drove a 97 Lexus LX450? straight axles, rides like a car.

Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Mustang

Ideas (some pirated, some of my own)

- Rebadge the Mazda3 with a Ford symbol and call it the escort.
- Make a Fusion/Taurus combination, call it the Taurus, get rid of the Fusion name
- Leave the Mustang

Ranger, F-150, F-250, F-350, (and bigger)

- Don't touch Ford's truck lineup

Escape, Edge, TaurusX, Flex, Explorer Sport Trac, Explorer, Expedition

- Kill the TaurusX, Flex, Sport Trac, Explorer, and Expedition
- Retain the Escape (it will sell)
- With all the extra money, make a solid Bronco at different levels of trim and off road Capability.

This would leave Ford with the Escort, Taurus and Mustang, it's successful line of trucks, and Escape, Edge (need a crossover nowadays) and Bronco....

Cutting the ridiculous line up of vehicles nobody wants over a Toyota can help Ford to concentrate their funds on vehicles that people actually need

Toyota doesn't flood the market with new cars, and they do well because they sell what they build

Our North American companies throw out all these vehicles with the hope people will love them....bad idea financially, no question about that...

just my .02

FORD, DONT YOU DARE KILL THE EXPLORER. RENAME THE EXPLORER SPORT THE BRONCO 2 IF YOU MUST HAVE A BRONCO, BUT DON'T YOU DARE KILL THE EXPLORER.

I believe the explorer out sells the 4 runner.

 

[pacodiablo]

The last Explorer Sport was built in 2003. At this point, I couldn't care less what Ford does with the Explorer. They already ruined it with IRS and by trying to separate it from its truck roots as much as possible. Ranger-based Explorers are the only ones I care for, and they won't be coming back.

That said, Ford won't get rid of the Explorer name. They have recently shown a concept Explorer...with unibody construction. Personally I'd rather see the name die off with some dignity than turn into this.
http://jalopnik.com/343795/detroit-auto-show-ford-explorer-america-concept

 

[Ozwynn]

The last Explorer Sport was built in 2003. At this point, I couldn't care less what Ford does with the Explorer. They already ruined it with IRS and by trying to separate it from its truck roots as much as possible. Ranger-based Explorers are the only ones I care for, and they won't be coming back.

That said, Ford won't get rid of the Explorer name. They have recently shown a concept Explorer...with unibody construction. Personally I'd rather see the name die off with some dignity than turn into this.
http://jalopnik.com/343795/detroit-auto-show-ford-explorer-america-concept

I'll give you that. but If i found a 2005 or 2006 explorer at the right price I would get it instead of a 4runner because the explorer ride so much better and have better seats.

 

[pacodiablo]

Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Mustang

Ideas (some pirated, some of my own)

- Rebadge the Mazda3 with a Ford symbol and call it the escort.
- Make a Fusion/Taurus combination, call it the Taurus, get rid of the Fusion name
- Leave the Mustang

....

The problem is the Fusion is the best four door Ford has going for them. It's an excellent car, and it's a strong seller. It might be a little late and a bad idea to play name games with it. The Fusion should have taken over the Taurus name from the start, but I suppose Ford wanted it to have a new name so that people knew it wasn't just another rental car. I really think Ford would be in a much better position today if they hadn't shot themselves in the foot repeatedly while dicking around with their car lineup over the last few years. Letting the Taurus die off, then desperately rebadging the 500 when they realized they fucked up was just stupid. The Taurus should have been given top priority back in the early 2000s when the Camry and Accord were both getting MAJOR clean sheet overhauls. Unfortunately, Ford was blinded by the Expedition, Explorer, and F-Series.

Ford is apparently redesigning the Taurus, despite having no money. Hopefully they do a good job. There is speculation that it will be heavily influenced by the Mondeo...a strong seller and Top Gear's 2007 car of the year. I hope they do it right. The Taurus needs to be its own car and not a parts bin rebadge.

The Mazda 3 will be the base for the next Focus. The European Focus, which is what we will get in the states to replace the current Focus, is based on the 3. The 3 is a great car, probably the best small car available in the US right now, and should help put the Focus on top.

I don't think Ford needs to cut down their car lineup. That's where the Japanese have them beat. Ford has nothing that competes with the Fit and Yaris. The Fiesta is supposed to take care of that soon.

They do need to cut out some of the crossovers. There's just too many. The Edge is the only one I'd keep.

They do need to cut out some SUVs too. The Expedition wasn't viable until SUVs took off in the mid 1990s, which means it probably isn't such a good idea to keep it around much longer. The SUV boom is over. I hate to say it, but it may be time to let GM have the full size four door SUV market to themselves again...like they did for 60 years before the Expedition. There just isn't as much market share to go around. I'd bet the Seqouia and Armada's days are numbered anyway.

I think any Explorer redesigns should be put on hold. They don't need to be spending their money there. Once they are in a position to design a new small truck platform, they should redesign the Explorer to compete directly with the 4Runner. Let the Edge go up against the Highlander, and the Escape against the Rav4.

 

[Mechanickid]

I think when whoever is redesigning the ranger, when get that done they need to build an explorer and a bronco 2 off that platform. Just mix up the explorer body styling so the bronco II and the ranger look like twins again.

 

[volrath]

In these days when everybody wants a truck that rides like a car, I don't see anybody releasing a solid axle truck. IMO

i think those people who want a truck to ride like a car should get a car. 75 percent of them don't need a truck, let alone know how to use it. it is almost an insult to the "truckers" who use them and love them. even the new dodge 1500 4x4 is ifs now. which blows in my mind. i think i could see a limited run bronco package with solid axles but i don't see it happening. i guess some one will just have to do the swap. but if it hits the market that will be a god start. if sales go well, then hope for some real off road ability.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I would actually like to see the F100, and have the explorer be based on it, then a new bronco based on the smaller ranger, that way there are three different sizes of light trucks and SUVs. I really would like to see a small 2-door suv, similiar in size to the original BII or maybe even a tad smaller, a 4 cylinder turbo diesel, 5/6 speed transmission, manual t-case, factory lockers, and 2 solid axles. Something similiar to a 74 series cruiser or SWB patrol... Something like that would compete with a Wrangler and blow it away... I could really use something like that...

 

[xr8d302]

Well, let me go back to my post....and clarify a few things as it seems that we've gotten into a discussion about the current Ford lineup...

When I mentioned getting rid of the explorer, I mean....getting rid of the name. The Bronco has a great history with Ford. The Explorer, not so much. This is not a bash, this is reality. The Bronco, to myself, and to many enthusiasts, is remembered as a brute machine that had offroad capabilities while still maintaining enough seats to comfortably hold a family.

The explorer is known (to the common person) as a vehicle that can hold a family, and is prone to all the same problems Ford encountered during the 90's. Ask your everyday, "I generally know about trucks" kind of guy, and he'll tell you which vehicle is better known as an offroad performer....

That said, take the money they've spent redesigning and building this slew of SUV's for the past while, spend money on one fully capable design at an affordable price to the average worker, and rename it the Bronco. With all the money saved, Ford can look into it's wallet, and realize that they haven't spent all their money, but now have a fan favorite vehicle.

After this, other benefits will follow. Down the road, with one main SUV, Ford Technicians will be more knowledgeable of their own product, and with a smaller parts bin, and less cost, Ford itself will probably be a little less stingy on their warranty work, as they have in the past. More customer loyalty spins off into more buyers. It is the complete opposite of a vicious cycle.

Of course, this is an idealistic viewpoint. It is but opinion...I'm sure many of you would do things differently, but I see it as a win win situation for a company that's been lose lose for the past few years

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I agree with bringing back a Bronco of some sort but, if it is going to replace the Explorer I don't think it would make much sense. Most people don't want/need an off road-capable, rugged SUV, they want fully independent 4 wheel suspension, a cushy ride, leather, power everything and a device that wipes their face when they dribble Big Mac grease down their face. So for those people (us) that actually want/need something rugged and off road-capable, we're pretty much screwed. I think they need to keep the Explorer in it's current form, let it get bigger and bigger, but, build a Bronco, the same size as a Ranger, available in 2-door SWB and 4-door MWB, solid axles, manual everything, etc. Something like that would compete directly with the Jeep Wrangler, but, the smart thing to do after that is give it options that you can't get in the Wrangler, like front and rear lockers, small diesel engine, overbuilt axles, etc. I think the only way Ford could really make it feasible is to do something similar to that, giving it options off road users would actually need, not leather upholstery, and independent suspensions... Something to kill the Jeep Wrangler, because it's the only choice right now for a real American small off road Truck/SUV...

 

[bmacsys]

Well, let me go back to my post....and clarify a few things as it seems that we've gotten into a discussion about the current Ford lineup...

When I mentioned getting rid of the explorer, I mean....getting rid of the name. The Bronco has a great history with Ford. The Explorer, not so much. This is not a bash, this is reality. The Bronco, to myself, and to many enthusiasts, is remembered as a brute machine that had offroad capabilities while still maintaining enough seats to comfortably hold a family.

The explorer is known (to the common person) as a vehicle that can hold a family, and is prone to all the same problems Ford encountered during the 90's. Ask your everyday, "I generally know about trucks" kind of guy, and he'll tell you which vehicle is better known as an offroad performer....

That said, take the money they've spent redesigning and building this slew of SUV's for the past while, spend money on one fully capable design at an affordable price to the average worker, and rename it the Bronco. With all the money saved, Ford can look into it's wallet, and realize that they haven't spent all their money, but now have a fan favorite vehicle.

After this, other benefits will follow. Down the road, with one main SUV, Ford Technicians will be more knowledgeable of their own product, and with a smaller parts bin, and less cost, Ford itself will probably be a little less stingy on their warranty work, as they have in the past. More customer loyalty spins off into more buyers. It is the complete opposite of a vicious cycle.

Of course, this is an idealistic viewpoint. It is but opinion...I'm sure many of you would do things differently, but I see it as a win win situation for a company that's been lose lose for the past few years

I would very much like to see them go back to their roots. To me the Bronco II was a very good vehicle. You could seat 4. It had decent storage. Mileage wasn't awful. It still seemed like you were driving a truck and not a wimpy SUV. It was masculine looking. It had some very good amenities without being bloated with creature comforts. I am sure that Ford could make an affordable, basic, SUV that got good mileage, had todays technology that wasn't filled with DVD players, heated electric adjusting seats and garbage like that.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I think an affordable small SUV would be profitable, look at the Jeep Wrangler, it is currently the only new vehicle available in the US that is really off-road and rugged, they need competition...

 

[bmacsys]

I think an affordable small SUV would be profitable, look at the Jeep Wrangler, it is currently the only new vehicle available in the US that is really off-road and rugged, they need competition...

I have a 99 Wrangler and love the heck out of it. It's reliable, simply built, spartan, utilitarian, fairly economical, easy to work on. I can squeeze into any parking space as the turning radius is unreal. I pulled the back seats since its usually just me and my dogs as passengers. I'll always have both a Jeep and a pick up. Preferably a Ford pick up.