Interesting question. But if Ford doesn't retire it, there's always the chance CAFE standards could force it -- not only the Ranger, but the entire F-series.

I actually consult for the Auto Alliance on their legislative issues -- the big one coming up pretty soon is S.1419. Basically forcing the auto manufacturers to meet extremely stringent standards by 2030, whether the technology is there or not. We've got more about that on our site -- click my name, it'll take you there.

Small trucks don't offer value compared to full size trucks. A Dodge Dakota is 3/4 the size of a RAM, but 11/12 the price. For nearly the same money you get a vehicle with significantly less head-room, log-room, knee-room and reclining-room. Most people I know buy four door full size trucks because they are surrogates for SUVs (with far more utility than an SUV). A Ranger just isn't going to cut it with a family. The Tacoma is selling well basically because the market for small trucks is old men and single young men, neither of which is typically hauling a family.

The Ranger is still the top selling compact pick-up sold in the U.S. That is quite a feat seeing as the basic chassis came to be in 1993 and got refreshes in 1997, 2001, and 2004, It has more repeat buyers than any of the others and out of the compact trucks it gets the best fuel economy. It may need a new redesign, But retiring the nameplate, especially seeing as Ford needs a few winners, Does not make sense at all.

Bring back the bronco in its place.

@mf

That makes no sense at all. Ford has way too many SUV/Crossovers in the pipeline. Before the compact Ranger Ford had the F-100 Ranger which was about the size of a Dodge Dakota and very down-market. I think Ford would do well to move the Ranger in that direction and actually make a price differential that's noticable on lots that have $8000 discounts on F-150's.

Actually the old F-100 ranger was just a very stripped down full-size ford half-ton. The old moniker was Ranger, XLT and the luxurious at the time Lariat with A/C , Cloth Seats. and a 351 windsor.

Right, the Ranger should be a stripped down mid-sized truck that has a stripped down price. The F-100 Ranger was actually smaller than today's Dakota.

The only reason the Ranger is falling behind is because of refinement. If Ford focused on improving the interior and refining the handling and NVH, they would still be able to get a lot more mileage out of the same basic platform. To address the comment above that the Ranger "doesn't cut it for a family"....I've had the same Ranger for the last 10 years and never had a need to haul more than it can carry. Like most of America, I can't afford a 10,000lb boat that I would need to tow. The Ranger has been a good tradeoff overall...still getting 20 mpg in mixed driving even with the 4.0 V6. You can't get that mileage in an F-150 downhill in a stiff wind.

I just bought a new 07 Ranger with a little 2.3 four. It's pretty basic, with only a radio. I will admit that it has a lot of niggling little spots that show a lack of refinement. No shutting off of outside air when your stuck behind a stinky diesel, a headlight switch that seems to be in an odd place, etc. It seems to be a bit of a blast from the past in a lot of ways. But...

Compare it to other small 1/4 ton trucks that sell for the price that I bought mine for and the list is reduced to...none. Where once there were Toyotas, Nissans, Chevy S-10s, Dodge (Mitsubishi) Rams and Mazdas, now there is only The Ranger and it's clone B2300 that fill that small, cheap niche.

I cannot justify a massive, gas-guzzling truck to run to the lumber yard or the hardware store every once in a while. I have a car to haul the family around, so I don't need a four seater "truck" with a tiny box stapled on the back either. There is a place for trucks like the Ranger. If people put aside their egos, they will find that they are very useful, affordable trucks.

Unfortunately though, a Ranger won't impress anyone and maybe for that reason alone they are doomed.

Too bad.

Hopefully they will redesign the Ranger and will be able to make it impress people. An then maybe they will have a good truck, i agree about the refindment of the truck, there is much lack in the instraments and features on the dashboard.

Hopefully they will redesign the Ranger and will be able to make it impress people. An then maybe they will have a good truck, i agree about the refindment of the truck, there is much lack in the instraments and features on the dashboard.

Hopefully they will redesign the Ranger and will be able to make it impress people. An then maybe they will have a good truck, i agree about the refindment of the truck, there is much lack in the instraments and features on the dashboard.

Hopefully they will redesign the Ranger and will be able to make it impress people. An then maybe they will have a good truck, i agree about the refindment of the truck, there is much lack in the instraments and features on the dashboard.

It would be truly sad if they dropped the ranger. I got one not long ago (07 ranger xl) for my first vehicle. For such an old platform it still performs very well. I've done a lot with this little truck, from hauling loads of mulch to just shopping it has done admirably. I do think however that if they were to discontiue it, it definitely won't be forever. Ford is well known for sticking with poplular vehicle series(ex. f-150 and mustang). The Ranger has been with Ford for a long time and I can't believe they would just drop it.