End of the Ford Ranger

[Joe G]

Grab some tissues, Danny. The last one rolled off the line in Minnesota today. :sad2:


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


(http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/end-ford-ranger-says-working-america-183034573.html)I still think an updated Ranger, with one or 2 of the small displacement EB engine options would reinvigorate sales and be a big seller. I just don't see it as a competitor to F-150 sales like Ford does. :nonono:

[The Bone]

Maybe they should have branded it the F100 like back in the day. I liked the Ranger they were nice trucks

[68fastback]

:cry:

...it's actually been selling well -- 55,000 units is not low these days (tho they position relative to total-market in the PR info -- doh! -- to make it seem low). Problem is, they don't make much moey on it and it's architecture and crash ratings are so ...2001 -lol). They talk about mileage and compare it to an EB F150 -- bogus PR comparo, imo, since an I-4 EB would likely get well over 30 mpg (my neighbor commutes about 80 miles a day on his 2001 I-4 Ranger and he gets consistent 31 mpg, and it has 240K miles on the clock). They make much more on an F150 than on Ranger -- I beleive that's the real reason ...and it would cost a fortue to do a new small pick-up only to cannibalize F150 sales.

That said, there are assuredly customers who DO NOT WANT a large pick-up. They intentionally ignore that inconvenient fact by spinning a different rationale. I must agree there are much better things to invest in than a new small p/up with a lousy ROI -- lol -- and if they price it for margins like F150, sales may be lower still. Now, if they did a *really* small modern 4x4 utility ...with a 5.5' bed it just might find its own niche and not canibalize F150 sales -- and no one has that, but that's just not going to happen.

Maybe a small-Ranchero built off the Mustang RWD chassis :shades: :haha:

[Grabber]

Toyota still makes a small Pick up.

I guess their sales will pick up.

Not sure what Ford is thinking here.

[Tommy Gun]

Looks like Ridgeline sales will go up. :nonono:




LOL

[Carnut]

Maybe they should have branded it the F100 like back in the day. I liked the Ranger they were nice trucks

A few years ago there was talk of Ford actually doing that. I wonder if there is still a back door plan to do this at some point in the near future.

[HSURB]

Wish Tek was still around. Would like his take on this.

HSURB®

[68fastback]

I don't think what they call it will matter much ...there are folks that just want a *small* *Ford* *pick-up* that's economical to operate ...an F150 'stripper' called F100 won't address that need, imo.

Sad that the domestics are leaving this market to the Japanese, tho Ridgeline has been a failure for Honda. Peaked in the first year at about 50K units and was down to $16K last year. In contrast, 1999 Ranger sold well over 350K units. Meanwhile Toyota says they're in it for the long haul with Tacoma ...which is not all that small now but is the only small p'up that's a real 'truck.'

Oh, well... if the demand is there Ranger will come back. I suspect with CAFE numbers on the rise there's little 'room' for another 'truck' in the lineup ..especially one that will canibalize more profits from F150 than it's likely to generate overall.

[Joe G]

Looks like Ridgeline sales will go up with guys in NY who look like the Ramones. :nonono:


LOL:goodone:

[68fastback]

Ridgeline Tek edition!

...has really weird sound system and klieg ambient lighting :giggle:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FnqqG-qiLo

[Joe G]

New Colorado should have a good following. Offering the stick shift is smart considering I doubt many will choose it, but it looks good to have a "value price" option.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/11/26/chevy-colorado-to-offer-6-speed-stick/?intcmp=features

[Tommy Gun]

Um, that's a GM product. :nonono:

[Tommy Gun]

Funny how companies say they won't build something, then the demand is there again and they do.

For example, Dodge stopped making the Sprinter vans a couple years ago and said they wouldn't...I think mainly because their parent company Mercedes made a similar version :rolleyes: ....but now Dodge has one again, we saw one the other day.

They just call it something different :giggle:


http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/ram_promaster/

[ati]

I had a GMC Canyon (same truck as the Chevy Colorado) back in 2006 and it was a good truck. I think Ford and GM were stupid for discontinuing the mid size pickups. I needed a new truck but didn't want a full size so I bought a Toyota. My new Tacoma should be in very soon. I decided to order a new 2014 vs buying a left over 2013.

[Joe G]

For example, Dodge stopped making the Sprinter vans a couple years ago and said they wouldn't...I think mainly because their parent company Mercedes made a similar version :rolleyes: ....but now Dodge has one again, we saw one the other day.

They just call it something different :giggle:


http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/ram_promaster/


Isn't that what you really wanted vs. the old F-series?

[Tommy Gun]

Isn't that what you really wanted vs. the old F-series?


One of the short, low roof Sprinters. Yes, but they didn't make them.

Now they have this "similar" van, but it has very few available options (no chrome trim, different mirrors, different interior upgrades, battery choices) and is very under powered IMO.

I need extra power outlets for charging phones, etc. Also dual batteries or at least a larger alternator to run dual batteries. And w/ all my supplies like a V8 option so it's not a slug.

The new Dodge has the same engine and trans as our Wrangler, great for a lightweight Wrangler, not for a full on workvan. The Dodge has an optional diesel 4 cylinder, but I don't like the idea of a 4 cylinder diesel or not pulling around the weight of a workvan.