Ford Plans Return of Ranger Pickup to US Production
Ford is negotiating with the UAW to bring back the Ranger as a midsize pickup, with plans to build it at the Michigan Assembly Plant from 2018.
Ford is in discussions to reintroduce the Ranger pickup to its US line-up, with the company negotiating with the United Auto Workers (UAW) to build a new midsize truck at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne from 2018. The move would return Ford to a segment it exited in 2011, aiming to capitalise on renewed demand for midsize pickups in North America.
The plan, according to sources familiar with Ford’s future product strategy, would see the Ranger replace the Focus and C-Max at the Michigan plant. Both Focus and C-Max production is set to move to Mexico, opening capacity at Wayne for the new truck line. Final approval will require agreement between Ford, the UAW and the company’s board of directors.
Why Ford is reviving the Ranger
Ford’s decision is driven by the resurgence of the midsize pickup segment in the US, where competitors such as General Motors have found strong sales with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. The previous US-market Ranger ended production in 2011, but the segment has since grown as buyers seek alternatives to full-size trucks. Ford’s global Ranger, sold in markets outside North America, has not been offered in the US since the old model’s discontinuation.
Union leaders have pushed for a high-volume, high-profit replacement at Wayne to secure jobs for the plant’s 4,500 employees. The Ranger fits that profile, with the potential for strong demand and margins compared to the outgoing passenger models. The Michigan Assembly Plant produced 265,000 vehicles last year, mainly Focus and C-Max variants.
Impact on plant and workers
Should the plan proceed, Focus and C-Max production would shift to Mexico, as previously announced by Ford. The Wayne facility would then focus on the Ranger, with the possibility of additional models in future. For plant workers, this would mean a transition from passenger cars to pickups, aligning with broader US market trends.
No production figures or technical details for the US-market Ranger have been confirmed. The company’s final decision will depend on the outcome of talks with the UAW and internal board approval. For more on the global Ranger, seeFord Ranger SUV Spied.
