Ford Confirms Bronco and Ranger Returning to US Market
Ford will revive the Bronco SUV and Ranger pickup, with both set for production at Michigan Assembly Plant and US sales starting from 2019.
Ford has ended speculation about two of its most talked-about nameplates, confirming at the 2017 North American International Auto Show that both the Bronco and Ranger will return to the US market. Production for both models is scheduled at the Michigan Assembly Plant, with the Ranger arriving first in 2019 and the Bronco following in 2020.
The decision follows years of rumour and demand from enthusiasts for a Bronco revival and a return of the Ranger to the US. The current Ranger has been sold in markets such as Europe and Australia, but not in the US since 2011. Ford's announcement means the US will finally receive a version of the midsize pickup already well established abroad. The Bronco, meanwhile, has not been produced since 1996 and returns as a midsize SUV aimed at buyers seeking a rugged, off-road capable 4x4.
Production at Michigan Assembly Plant
Both vehicles will be assembled at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. This move secures jobs at the facility, which previously built the Focus and C-Max. The plant will shift focus to trucks and SUVs as Ford adapts to changing US buyer preferences. No details have yet been released regarding powertrains or specific features for the US Ranger and Bronco, but Ford has said the Ranger will be affordable and functional, while the Bronco is being designed as a no-compromise 4x4 utility vehicle.
What to expect from the new models
The US-market Ranger is expected to closely follow the global Ranger, which has already seen updates in recent years. For a sense of what to expect, see our coverage of thefacelifted 2016 Ranger. The Bronco’s design and technical details remain under wraps, but Ford is positioning it as a direct competitor to other midsize, off-road-capable SUVs. The company’s global strategy suggests the Bronco will share elements with international Ford models, but tailored for US buyers.
