02:46AM - 29.08.'15
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News Source: autoblog.com
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Rumors flew this week that several of Detroit's favorite nameplates, the Ranger, Bronco, and Barracuda are set to return. The Ranger could be built at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, MI, the Detroit News reported. Ford plans to move production of the Focus and C-Max hybrid to another site, possibly in Mexico. Ford announced earlier this year that it would lay off about 700 employees at the factory amid slowing sales of small cars. The Ranger has not been sold in the United States since 2011, and the market appeared to be all but dead for domestic companies when Ford and General Motors backed out of it. GM, however, gave the segment new life last year with its Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon pickups, which are smaller than fullsize trucks, though still offer buyers plenty of capability for towing and hauling. Toyota also is launching a new Tacoma for 2016, and we expect Nissan to revamp the Frontier soon. With factory capacity available and an opportunity to attract new buyers there for the taking, the Ranger would appear to be a natural addition to Ford's lineup. Still, it could eat into the highly profitable F-150's sales, which could give the automaker pause. Ford revealed a new Ranger (shown above) this year that will be sold in global markets – more than 180 – though not in the US. An Autoblog poll found 88.7 percent of respondents would like Ford to offer the truck in America. While Ranger rumors swirled, Bloomberg reported Ford is considering bringing back the Bronco, an SUV sold in the US from 1966 to 1996. The popular off-roader could be positioned as a Jeep Wrangler fighter. The Bronco could also be built at Michigan Assembly. News of the possible Ford products came as the company continued contract talks with the United Auto Workers. Meanwhile, thousands of miles away FCA US was detailing some of its future product plans to dealers in Las Vegas. The return of the Barracuda name was the hottest rumor, with Automotive News reporting it would be sold as a convertible and use an Alfa Romeo platform. In its past life, the Barracuda was a Plymouth, but with that brand shuttered, the car would return with Dodge badging. |
