DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. reportedly plans to keep its aging Ranger compact pickup alive at least through the end of the decade with few major mechanical changes, according to component suppliers familiar with the automaker's future programs.
However, Ford will give the Ranger a modest face-lift this fall, at the start of the 2006 model year. The small truck will get a more aggressive front fascia, including a heavy chrome grille that ties it closer, stylistically, to the big F-Series pickups. There are also some minor changes to the taillamps, but otherwise the sheet metal remains largely untouched.
Ford vendors who spoke with Inside Line said the company has postponed a major redesign of the Ranger on several occasions, and now has no plans for a complete overhaul before the end of this decade. As U.S. sales of compact pickups continue to dwindle — and competitors grow ever larger — Ford also is considering a proposal to drop the Ranger entirely after 2010, suppliers said.
What this means to you: Is this bad for consumers? Probably not, seeing as there are a bevy of small trucks out there. But Ford obviously thinks it can get away with not putting substantial resources into the Ranger. Or, given how good its competitors have become, it doesn't think it would be worth it.
However, Ford will give the Ranger a modest face-lift this fall, at the start of the 2006 model year. The small truck will get a more aggressive front fascia, including a heavy chrome grille that ties it closer, stylistically, to the big F-Series pickups. There are also some minor changes to the taillamps, but otherwise the sheet metal remains largely untouched.
Ford vendors who spoke with Inside Line said the company has postponed a major redesign of the Ranger on several occasions, and now has no plans for a complete overhaul before the end of this decade. As U.S. sales of compact pickups continue to dwindle — and competitors grow ever larger — Ford also is considering a proposal to drop the Ranger entirely after 2010, suppliers said.
What this means to you: Is this bad for consumers? Probably not, seeing as there are a bevy of small trucks out there. But Ford obviously thinks it can get away with not putting substantial resources into the Ranger. Or, given how good its competitors have become, it doesn't think it would be worth it.
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