Yahoo Autos CONFIRMED: Ford Bronco and Ranger Are Coming Back!
Last year, a proposed contract between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and Ford hinted that the automaker would introduce brand-new versions of the Bronco 4x4 and Ranger pickup truck. When Donald Trump seized on Ford's decision to move small car production to Mexico during a Presidential debate, the UAW countered with some fact-checking-and in the process, confirmed the return of the Bronco and Ranger.
Shown above, a fan's imaginary rendering of what a 2020 Ford Bronco could look like, originally published on Bronco6G.com
Bill Johnson, a UAW rep for Ford's Wayne, Michigan plant, confirmed to the Detroit Free Press that the Bronco and Ranger will begin production once Focus and C-Max production shifts to Mexico. Johnson felt the need to clear the air after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump falsely accused Ford of cutting U.S. jobs during the first Presidential debate.
"I think Trump needs to get his facts straight," Johnson told the Freep. "He is absolutely beating up on Ford for doing what everybody else has already done."
"We hate to see the products go to Mexico, but with the Ranger and the Bronco coming to Michigan Assembly, that absolutely secures the future for our people a lot more than the Focus does," Johnson said, emphasis ours.
Ford's decision to favor truck production in its U.S. facilities makes sense. Small cars aren't as profitable as trucks, and building them in the U.S. is vastly more expensive. As Johnson explained, switching U.S. facilities over to high-margin truck production ensures that those manufacturing jobs will stay in the U.S.
Ford has teased a 21st-century Bronco for years, and with fuel prices down and truck sales up, now is a great time to bring it to market. And with the Jeep Wrangler dominating the two-door off-roader market, Ford definitely wants a piece of the action.
As for the Ranger, the mid-size pickup truck market has seen a revival with the new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, as well as the Toyota Tacoma and perhaps even the Honda Ridgeline.
We've daydreamed about a new Bronco and Ranger for quite a while now, so Johnson's confirmation is great news. Frankly, 2020 can't come soon enough.
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