ford talking unibody ranger replacement

[joseodiaga4]

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/18/f...r-replacement/

[Carguylee]

"While speaking at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, Doug Scott, marketing manager for Ford Trucks, said there's still a market for a smaller pickup, but that buyers expect to see a larger differentiation between the smaller utility vehicles and their full size counterparts in price, capability and fuel economy."

That really is the key to all of this. I don't need to tow a whole lot, it is very unlikley that I will ever tow anything. So as long as I can move furniture with it if needed, pick up stuff at lowes, but I drive 20,000 miles a year and would like to gett better MPG. When I wrecked my ranger the problem I ran into when I bought my current truck is ....why wouldn't I buy a full size truck when I can buy full size for the same price as a small truck with a V6 that only gets 2 mpg better. There has to be a clear advantage for me in the future to consider a small truck, by either price or MPG.

If I wanted a high end truck or towed a lot full size would be the only option, but I normally go for a truck like the STX, XLT. $10K off is pretty normal for a full size truck around here $14K off right now for some trucks, you don't get thoes kind of discounts on small trucks, especially Tacoma's

[falcon lover]

Ford abandoned 15000 monthly Rangers buyers that now will buy the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy or GMC small trucks. Is incredible that Ford cant produce a truck that fit well in this market, without affect the F series sales. I think they are wrong when think that the small truck buyers crossshopping the F series.... NO. Both buyers are very different. Look at the sales charts and you can see . Ford is loosing a market share and customers with the Ranger demise in USA

[Carguylee]

Ford abandoned 15000 monthly Rangers buyers that now will buy the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy or GMC small trucks. Is incredible that Ford cant produce a truck that fit well in this market, without affect the F series sales. I think they are wrong when think that the small truck buyers crossshopping the F series.... NO. Both buyers are very different. Look at the sales charts and you can see . Ford is loosing a market share and customers with the Ranger demise in USA

I cross shopped both small and large trucks, and I have the last 3 times I have bought. Twice I bought a small truck, and the last time I bought a large because there was almost no price difference, and losing 2mpg didn't bother me.

I would not have bought another ranger in it's current form, it had escentially been around since 1993. This go around I was looking at Tacoma's. The current Chevy and GMC small trucks are not appealing either... I almost bought one in 2006 but ended up going with a used ranger instead.

The reason so many people bought small trucks in the 90's and early 2000's was because they were cheap. They were some of the cheapest new car/truck you could buy. That's not the case anymore, small cars now are nicley equipped for less than small trucks. And when you can buy a new full size truck for $1-2K more....or sometimes the same price as a small one, most people go with the full size.

Like the article said.... for me to consider a small truck next time, it has to have a clear advantage MPG wise and price wise, but I don't see big incentives on trucks going away anytime soon.

[scford58]

I cross shopped both small and large trucks, and I have the last 3 times I have bought. Twice I bought a small truck, and the last time I bought a large because there was almost no price difference, and losing 2mpg didn't bother me.

I would not have bought another ranger in it's current form, it had escentially been around since 1993. This go around I was looking at Tacoma's. The current Chevy and GMC small trucks are not appealing either... I almost bought one in 2006 but ended up going with a used ranger instead.

The reason so many people bought small trucks in the 90's and early 2000's was because they were cheap. They were some of the cheapest new car/truck you could buy. That's not the case anymore, small cars now are nicley equipped for less than small trucks. And when you can buy a new full size truck for $1-2K more....or sometimes the same price as a small one, most people go with the full size.

Like the article said.... for me to consider a small truck next time, it has to have a clear advantage MPG wise and price wise, but I don't see big incentives on trucks going away anytime soon.

As for me I would have to respectfully disagree. I would never shop the large truck market for reasons I've expressed previously on this site. Mainly I don't want to drive (& try to park) such a large vehicle. I understand your statement about if they are so close in price why not buy the larger one, but for me, it would never happen.

[Carguylee]

As for me I would have to respectfully disagree. I would never shop the large truck market for reasons I've expressed previously on this site. Mainly I don't want to drive (& try to park) such a large vehicle. I understand your statement about if they are so close in price why not buy the larger one, but for me, it would never happen.

Right, which is why I think a lot of people buy the Tacoma. Everyone has their reasons, but it doesn't change the fact that the small truck market shrunk by a lot in the last 10 years. You would think with gas prices higher it would be the opposite, but I think the lack of price difference is a big factor. I got a 2 year old truck with 38K miles for the same price as 4 and 5 year old Tacoma's with 60-80K miles.

You are right about parking (just driving I haven't noticed a big difference) a large truck.... the first week I had it I scuffed the bumper trying to get into a spot in a parking garage, you do do things differently in parking lots, but not that big a deal to me. Full fize truck turning circle is terrible.... but then again it isn't any worse than the Ranger I had (I do a 180 degree turn 5 days a week to get to my mailbox).

[mkonecsni]

I agree with the parking factor. The fact that the Ranger hadn't been updated in 20 years has a lot to do about tapering off sales. If Ford produces a smaller truck, I will be among the first to buy, if not, may as well keep fixing the old Ranger.

[2b2]

just a serving suggestion:

[65Stang]

Thats kinda what I was thinking. They could build a small truck off the Focus/Transit connect kinda like the Fiat Strada

[wingsnut]

I listen carefully whenever an employer asks Ford brass about Ranger, and it happens often. Almost comical actually, and the brass seem to crindge a tad every time, nearly rolling their eyes even. They have been text book consistent, that Ford has no plans, blah blah.......But I have to say, something is going on lately and I think they are coming around. I think they can't wait to announce it, if for no other reason than to repel the masses, LOL.