The new 2019 Ford Ranger is about to hit dealerships and Ford claims that it is not worried about eating into F-150 sales.
“There always will be some substitution, but this is more of a lifestyle vehicle for people who want to use it for different purposes,” Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of global operations told Automotive News. “The F-150’s gotten bigger over time and more expensive. We believe there’s room now to slot the Ranger in very nicely in the showroom.”
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When the Ranger initially left the market, Ford claimed that the F-150 was the only truck that folks needed, filling every niche in the market. But since the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyone returned back in 2015, midsize truck sales have ballooned. Now, Ford claims to see the light as well, as the F-150 is quite big now with price tags that can reach sky high.
Pricing or the Ranger starts at $25,895 in the US, but a fully loaded model can add up to more than $40,000. At the top end, the price definitely overlaps with the F-150, but it is in line with the other midsize trucks on the market.
The first 2019 Rangers will be available for purchase in January of 2019, and the truck will be built in Wayne, Michigan.
“We’re very excited about the growth we’re seeing in the midsize segment,” Hinrichs said. “We believe bringing back the Ford Ranger will add to that excitement and get more interest in that segment.”
What do you think? Will the Ranger mess with F-150 sales? Would you rather get a midsize pickup or a half-ton? Let us know in the comments below.
[Source: Auto News]
