We have the Colorado, why don't we have the Ranger?

"LJ909" (lj909) 06/12/2015 at 02:38 • Filed to: None

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Today Ford released a new version of the global Ranger that we don’t get called the WildTrak. From the specs it sounds to be amazing: choice of 2 engines. A 3.2 I5 turbo diesel with 197 hp and 395 lb/ft of torque, and a 2.2 I4 turbo diesel with 158 hp and 284 lb/ft, 7000 lb towing capacity and the ability to wade in 31.5 inches of water. My only question is why don’t we still have the Ranger?

The release of the Colorado/Canyon shows that there is a market for American midsize trucks, hell the existence of the Nissan Frontier in its same old ass irritation shows there’s a market for midsize pickups. So why don’t we have the global Ranger? I’ve always suspected that its because Ford doesn’t want this tuck to steal the F150’s thunder, especially with them touting the new aluminum construction.

A Ranger with the 2.7 Ecoboost could be pretty great, a Ranger Raptor would be amazing, though that’s about as high in the air as them bringing over one of the diesel engine options. You would think the US getting the Ranger would be a no brainier considering the fact that they have been pushing the one Ford initiative for the past few years, resulting in us getting the Focus RS and Europe getting the Mustang. So what do you guys think is holding Ford back from bring the Ranger here?

facw > LJ909 06/12/2015 at 03:01

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You have two problems. One is that the F-150 is the dominant player in the pickup sector, which means they have a lot more too lose if the Ranger cannibalizes full-sized sales. If Ford sees themselves losing a bunch of F-150 sales to the Colorado, then it would become more likely they’d bring the Ranger.

The second is that they’d need to set up a factory for US production. The current Rangers would be subject to the Chicken Tax, and so would not be competitive if imported (though of course the costs associated with US production would hurt it as well).

LJ909 > facw 06/12/2015 at 03:05

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I hadn’t considered and forgot for some reason that the Ranger was built in other countries now. They could just pull the same thing they do with other cars and have it built in Mexico, though that might affect quality.

Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious > LJ909 06/12/2015 at 04:27

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Why do we need either the Colorado or the Ranger? Both are just as massive as the Silverado/F-150 were 15 years ago. :p

pip bip - choose Corrour > LJ909 06/12/2015 at 04:52

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yeah , it would be better built than the F-series.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > LJ909 06/12/2015 at 07:24

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I’m no Ford fan, but if getting the Ranger means we’d get a truly off-road capable Colorado...

GET ON IT FORD!!!

spanfucker retire bitch > LJ909 06/12/2015 at 07:56

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It’s because you touch yourself at night. So. Uh. Stop that.

Blind Willy > LJ909 06/12/2015 at 08:17

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I had a 1994 Ranger and a 2006 Ranger Sport. When it was time to start looking at a new vehicle I was bummed when I found out they stopped production on the Rangers.
I had always had the idea of an Offroad exploration vehicle in my head and after much research ended up with an 2013 FJ Cruiser. Best Choice I ever made.
If I ever get tired of it, I’d consider a Ranger again if they ever come out with it in the US.

TylerJ > Blind Willy 06/12/2015 at 09:18

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Let me know what vehicle you pick next. You’ve picked two that they stopped production on.

Blind Willy > TylerJ 06/12/2015 at 11:32

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HAH, you caught that!
I’m sticking with this one for a long time. I’m kinda fond of exploring and wheeling it :)

greasemonkey235097 > LJ909 06/13/2015 at 02:14

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Because Ford!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > LJ909 07/28/2015 at 14:48

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Just saw this post. Firstly, that’s the old Wildtrak that was released in 2012 (I worked on it’s launch, I got to drive the XLT Ranger in the US, it was diesel, and a stick. yes it was awesome.)

Want the real answer from my conversations with my International Ford Clients?

Money.

And not the kind you think, for once it’s not Ford being greedy trying to sell the F-150 instead.

The problem is similarly equipped F-150’s will cost about a grand more. And when you’re financing a $30-40,000 truck, that $1,000 extra for the F-150 doesn’t mean much and people probably will just buy the F-150. They couldn’t justify it and couldn’t get it over here and still be profitable with a smaller price tag.

Even though I looked that client in the eye and said bring it here and I’ll buy it. I don’t want a full size, I don’t need it.

New Wildtrak:

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious 07/28/2015 at 14:50

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yeah,15 years ago.

Colorado is an entire foot skinnier than a Silverado. (excuse random old post)

LJ909 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/28/2015 at 14:55

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Best answer Ive seen and makes sense. I think the F-150 range is so broad now that we will never get a Ranger because it doesnt make sense anywhere.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > LJ909 07/28/2015 at 14:57

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It’s a value/cost thing. It’s really hard to tell that customer to buy the smaller truck to save a tiny bit of gas mileage and fit in parking spots better when he says I want an F150, it’s only 800 bucks more, and then I can tow anything I could dream of!

See me, that mpg increase is worth it, and the maneuverability, and I know I’ll never have a need to tow more than 5000 pounds. And now I have to tell my clients my next vehicle is going to be a Canyon or a Colorado because the Ranger isn’t available. I’m really close to this issue, and one of very few Americans that have driven this truck in the US (M plate!) like I said before, I worked on the global launch of the new Ranger

LJ909 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/28/2015 at 15:10

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You make a good logical point. But sadly the average customer doesnt even consider that mpg increase and maneuverability. Its why you see 5’0 women driving around in Platinum F-150’s and High Country Silverados. Maybe one day Ford will have a business case for the Ranger but I dont see that happening anytime soon. I thought Ford would have brought it over with their One Ford global initiative.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > LJ909 07/28/2015 at 15:41

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Yeah I’d love it, but I also don’t see it happening. Unless they can justify charging an extra 5-6k on top of the current pricetag of the F-150, and by justify i mean people will still buy it, then the Ranger isn’t coming.

One Ford got us some good stuff though. Fusion came over, that was the Mondeo, the focus came over, that was...well...the focus, the Escape came over, that was the Kuga, fiesta came over that was...the fiesta. Focus RS is coming.

If only it had gotten us the V8 RWD Falcon...

IF you like the overseas Ranger, let me fill you with a bit more WANT .

Ford Everest, Ranger with an SUV body. I want this just as bad as I’d want a Ranger.

LJ909 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/28/2015 at 16:12

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I love the look of the Everest, but I think it would suffer the same problem of this Range and not make sense. We already have the Escape and Explorer so I’m not sure where this would fill in. Plus its too much of an SUV for crossover loving Americans. Truck based SUVS are dying. Just look at how the 4Runner and Xterra are doing.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > LJ909 07/28/2015 at 16:17

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i know but, that’s why i want it. I hate the new explorer (the new grille looks so much better) but it feels like a minivan inside. the dash is so deep it’s literally mini-van-ish.

I’d rather this be sold with an Explorer badge on it. Or ditch the Explorer, which would never happen - i know, for the Everest because it’s bad ass.

Check out Everest from back in 2009. Tell me this isn’t a kickass SUV:

LJ909 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/28/2015 at 16:22

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At first glance I thought that was some kind of Japanese SUV. It looks rugged as hell. Pretty stupid that an American car company would neglect its home market for so long and not give us great products the rest of the world gets.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > LJ909 07/28/2015 at 16:35

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yeah, though this was developed in and for the Asian Pacific market. Specifically out of Thailand.

These vehicles live in an area of the world where ruggedness is still a requirement, not a fun feature.

They’re freaking cool though aren’t they?!