Ford bringing Ranger back to U.S. market?

Ford is making plans for a return to the small pickup truck market in the U.S. with a new version of the Ranger, a news report says.

According to an Associated Press story, the automaker is negotiating with the United Auto Workers about making the truck at a factory in the Detroit suburb of Wayne, Michigan. A new small SUV that may be called the Bronco also is under discussion.

The Wayne factory, which Ford calls the Michigan Assembly Plant, employs more than 4,400 workers. The 5-million-square-foot facility now makes the Focus compact and C-Max gas-electric hybrid. Ford is expected to move those products to a lower-cost factory in Mexico in 2018, but has yet to confirm the move.

“We actively are pursuing future vehicle alternatives to produce at Michigan Assembly and will discuss this issue with UAW leadership as part of the upcoming negotiations,” spokeswoman Kristina Adamski said in an August 26 statement.

Ford exited the small pickup market in the U.S. in 2011, followed by General Motors in 2012. But GM has returned to the market, selling nearly 88,000 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon models this year. Through July, small pickup sales are up 62 per cent to more than 211,000, according to Autodata Corp.

The smaller trucks, which are more efficient that full-size pickups, could help GM and Ford meet upcoming CAFE government fuel economy requirements. New light vehicles must average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 under the standards.