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WTF Ford? They release a brand new Ranger for the Thai market

I doubt Thailand has the rigorous testing that they have here, plus it's most likely being built in that area, so it's dirt cheap. Finally, the cost to retool the plant where the current Ranger is being built is going to be high. It just isn't worth it to change things here.
 
There is a pretty heavy tariff to import a truck. Ford would have to produce it domestically to make it profitable in North America.

But why aren't they?
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I doubt Thailand has the rigorous testing that they have here, plus it's most likely being built in that area, so it's dirt cheap. Finally, the cost to retool the plant where the current Ranger is being built is going to be high. It just isn't worth it to change things here.
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We've had the same Ranger for what - over 10 YEARS?!!?! All Dord does it slap on a new grill ever couple of years.....
 
I think it's funny that the rest of the world outside the US gets all the cool cars, no matter which company is selling them, American or otherwise. Doesn't make sense since the US is the world's single largest car market at the moment...though I guess we have the most boring drivers.

Perhaps we should be like ze Germans: driving age is 18, drinking age is 16, insane auto insurance prices, license costs $2K to get and requires at least one full year of written and real-world tests. But, in exchange for that, we get autobahns without speed limits...and maybe some really serious drivers who follow the law to the letter...and don't eat or drink in their cars! I bet automobile manufacturers could save some money by not designing their cars to include cup holders for the one and only fat American market. We are afterall the only ones stupid enough to eat and drink in our cars.
 
I would love to own one of those with a TDi engine in it. Somone needs to go smack Bill Ford upside the head and bring that truck to the US.
 
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/04/18/ford-ensures-the-ranger-stays-obsolete/
The Ford Ranger staying competitive because of price; otherwise the small truck platform is showing every year of its 22-year age. The Blue Oval will continue with the same truck, just giving the Joan Rivers of autodom another shot of botox. These spy shots of the 2006 Ranger have to hold us over until about 2010 when a Ranger replacement is ready. By that time the name will be damaged goods, so we'd bet on a new name.
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So it's from the early 80s.
 
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
The US ranger is from the 70s, yet they refuse to update it, even with strong competition from... everyone. What is Ford thinking?
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I believe the first year was "83"

(I own an "83", 2.8 4x4 )
They came with a 2.3 4Cyl and a 2.8 6Cyl.
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I think it's funny that the rest of the world outside the US gets all the cool cars, no matter which company is selling them, American or otherwise. Doesn't make sense since the US is the world's single largest car market at the moment...though I guess we have the most boring drivers.

Perhaps we should be like ze Germans: driving age is 18, drinking age is 16, insane auto insurance prices, license costs $2K to get and requires at least one full year of written and real-world tests. But, in exchange for that, we get autobahns without speed limits...and maybe some really serious drivers who follow the law to the letter...and don't eat or drink in their cars! I bet automobile manufacturers could save some money by not designing their cars to include cup holders for the one and only fat American market. We are afterall the only ones stupid enough to eat and drink in our cars.
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Actually - I remember reading a study from VW's Mookraker team that Americans are more likely to eat in their cars because of the sheer distances they have to travel - cars end up serving more than one purpose when traveling for many hours.

Also - the Germans can afford such stringent requirements because they are a small country, where pubic transportation is a viable alternative to driving a vehicle. In the US, that it's possible.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I doubt Thailand has the rigorous testing that they have here, plus it's most likely being built in that area, so it's dirt cheap. Finally, the cost to retool the plant where the current Ranger is being built is going to be high. It just isn't worth it to change things here.
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Um ok... so if that's their business model, that new things are too expensive to be built... no wonder they're getting their ass creamed in the market. :roll:
 
Originally posted by: Looney
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I doubt Thailand has the rigorous testing that they have here, plus it's most likely being built in that area, so it's dirt cheap. Finally, the cost to retool the plant where the current Ranger is being built is going to be high. It just isn't worth it to change things here.
Click to expand...

Um ok... so if that's their business model, that new things are too expensive to be built... no wonder they're getting their ass creamed in the market. :roll:
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The cost to retrofit the St. Paul plant is too high, that's why they are waiting for 2010, when the new plant will be operational (reportedly in Canada).

You realize that the plant where the current Ranger is built is 94 years old, right? Do you spend the money to get it ready for a new generation, or do you spend the money on a new plant and push out the production launch a few years?

I am convinced that the people on TCL has no idea about the complexities of the auto industry.

EDIT: And this is another reason that Japanese manufacturers are pulling ahead. Nice, new, modern plants that are easily changable. Machinery that is 1/4 the size, twice the speed, and easy to change dies in.

EDIT 2: And the Thai plant is also new. It is the base for foreign Rangers across the world. As was stated earlier, it's too expensive to import that into the US, so everyone but us will get it. Just like the Focus, and a number of GM products.
 
The cost to retrofit the St. Paul plant is too high, that's why they are waiting for 2010, when the new plant will be operational (reportedly in Canada).

You realize that the plant where the current Ranger is built is 94 years old, right? Do you spend the money to get it ready for a new generation, or do you spend the money on a new plant and push out the production launch a few years?
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Then why don't they build it in one of the plants that they shut down. The Oshawa plant up here i'm 100% sure is not 90 years old.

I don't believe that for a second. I don't think the Ford executives are so incompetent that they think selling old vehicles that nobody is buying is better than investing in retooling a plant for a new vehicle that could potentially increase sales.

EDIT: well maybe they are incompetent... because we're not seeing new models here in North America.
 
Originally posted by: Looney
The cost to retrofit the St. Paul plant is too high, that's why they are waiting for 2010, when the new plant will be operational (reportedly in Canada).

You realize that the plant where the current Ranger is built is 94 years old, right? Do you spend the money to get it ready for a new generation, or do you spend the money on a new plant and push out the production launch a few years?
Click to expand...

Then why don't they build it in one of the plants that they shut down. The Oshawa plant up here i'm 100% sure is not 90 years old.

I don't believe that for a second. I don't think the Ford executives are so incompetent that they think selling old vehicles that nobody is buying is better than investing in retooling a plant for a new vehicle that could potentially increase sales.

EDIT: well maybe they are incompetent... because we're not seeing new models here in North America.
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Oshawa? The Oshawa plant is GM...

Are you talking about the Oakville plant? I'd bet that capacity is pretty close to full, and it will be once the 07 crossovers come out. Remember, the Edge is being built there.
 
Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
The US ranger is from the 70s, yet they refuse to update it, even with strong competition from... everyone. What is Ford thinking?
Click to expand...

Agreed....just another one of the bad decisions that seems to point to Ford and GM obviously wanting to fail in the U.S. for some strange reason.
 
I'd love a compact pickup with a diesel engine. I'm sure the cost to start producing these in the US would be high, but the demand it there. My neighbor work construction for a huge company and many of the guys have specifically said that what they want is a diesel powered Ranger. They travel in a 100 mile radium from Milwaukee, WI, and their F150s and Chevy 1500 trucks are costing them too much to use on a daily basis.

GM seems to be listening to the market, maybe they'll pick up on this and boost their compact truck sales.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: Looney
The cost to retrofit the St. Paul plant is too high, that's why they are waiting for 2010, when the new plant will be operational (reportedly in Canada).

You realize that the plant where the current Ranger is built is 94 years old, right? Do you spend the money to get it ready for a new generation, or do you spend the money on a new plant and push out the production launch a few years?
Click to expand...

Then why don't they build it in one of the plants that they shut down. The Oshawa plant up here i'm 100% sure is not 90 years old.

I don't believe that for a second. I don't think the Ford executives are so incompetent that they think selling old vehicles that nobody is buying is better than investing in retooling a plant for a new vehicle that could potentially increase sales.

EDIT: well maybe they are incompetent... because we're not seeing new models here in North America.
Click to expand...

Oshawa? The Oshawa plant is GM...

Are you talking about the Oakville plant? I'd bet that capacity is pretty close to full, and it will be once the 07 crossovers come out. Remember, the Edge is being built there.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you're right. Still boggles my mind that Thailand gets the new Ranger but NA doesn't.
 
Originally posted by: Mr N8
I'd love a compact pickup with a diesel engine. I'm sure the cost to start producing these in the US would be high, but the demand it there. My neighbor work construction for a huge company and many of the guys have specifically said that what they want is a diesel powered Ranger. They travel in a 100 mile radium from Milwaukee, WI, and their F150s and Chevy 1500 trucks are costing them too much to use on a daily basis.

GM seems to be listening to the market, maybe they'll pick up on this and boost their compact truck sales.
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Yeah, i never understood why diesel isn't more popular. Better fuel efficiency, and higher torque... you would think there'll be a market for this!
 
They would still have trouble getting that new diesel to meet US emission standards.
Not impossible (as proved by the Jeep Liberty) but it would be tough.
 
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