Ford to Revolutionize Ranger and Introduce F-100

It’s well known that it’s the end of the line for the Ford Ranger in
the not to distant future. It is by far the oldest truck available on
the market, though it’s been kept visually fresh by interior and
exterior updates. Interesting, mind you, is that although the Ranger is
destined to end production by next year, Ford has plans to bring it
back after a brief hiatus.

Like
many of Ford’s other products, it appears as if the next Ranger will be
going international. Reports from Motor Trend magazine suggest that the brand’s Australian division is hard at work developing the next
generation truck, and the truck currently sold in Australia, by the way, gets built in
Thailand. On that note, it’s unlikely that Ford would build the next Ranger here in
North America as demand for small trucks isn’t particularly high. It
would, however, be timely, and if priced right, very smart if Ford somehow managed to sneak one of
its European diesel motors into the North America-bound version.

But
this isn’t the only pickup-related news. Due to the market downsizing and F-Series sales taking a major hit in recent months, Ford is beginning to realize that many consumers don’t need a vehicle with as much utility as the F-150. Ford doesn’t want to lose these buyers
to competitors who might offer something with more capability than its Explorer Sport Trac and more size and refinement than its Ranger, so a new F-100 pickup appears to be on the way.

Roughly 7/8ths the size of an F-150, the
smaller-sized truck would share its structure and underpinnings with its larger brother. It is also expected that some of the bodywork would be made
from aluminum in order to save weight.

Being that the new F-150 features
an exclusive all-V8 lineup, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Ford’s new EcoBoost gasoline turbocharged direct
injection V6 powering the F-100.