Ford Ranger Discontinued Dec. 2011...

[101lifts2]

http://theblogofcars.com/2010/09/for...ses-new-model/

Ford has announced that they will discontinue the US-spec Ranger in 2011, while also releasing a teaser of a new Ranger for the rest of the world.

The Ranger’s death in the US is due to a number of reasons. Firstly, the new car is too close in size to the F-150, and Ford believes that most American customers will choose to spend a little more money for the larger car. You may think that they should’ve just taken the F-150 global and did away with the Ranger everywhere in that case, but Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s Vice President of Global Product Development, said “That ten-percent size difference does make a difference. Right-hand drive is required in the rest of the world and other regulations, both safety and emissions, impacted that decision.”

Secondly, the compact truck segment has been declining in America over the past several years. In 1994, it made up eight percent of the industry, but now, it stands at just two percent. This hasn’t stopped the Ranger from selling very well though, with around 75,000 units sold a year. However, Ford has conducted research which tells them that the Ranger is bought mainly by people looking for the cheapest, most economical Ford. With the recent arrival of the cheaper Fiesta though, Ranger sales will likely plummet, and for those still looking for a compact work truck, the Transit Connect is available.

The last reason is the recent launch of the new, more efficient F-150 drivetrain options. While no fuel economy figures have yet been revealed, they will likely be much better than the 24.5 mpg the Ranger gets, while having much greater capabilities.

The Ranger will be missed, but we all saw its death coming many years ago, with its last significant upgrade done back in 1993. Let’s hope that Ford can make up for it elsewhere in the range.

As for the rest of the world, the picture at the top is a teaser for the new Ranger they’ll be getting. It has been designed in Australia, and will be revealed at the Australian International Motor Show in October.