Mark Fields Answers Facebook Questions at the LA Auto Show

[TrainTrac]

First question: "What do you see in the future for the Ranger? Is this a viable platform for Ford?"



Of course, we all know by now that his answer revolves around the F150, and that Ford's abandoning the small/mid-size truck market in the US.:banghead::angry::cry:



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[Gavin Allan]

Ranger was fine in 1980s. Ford is screwing the pooch by ignoring the the small/midsize pickup market.



Kind of reminds me when they dropped Mustang for the Rustang II. Another big mistake coming...

 

[Richard McAlister]

Fields states that the Ranger segment has declined from 8% to 2% of the market since the 90's, and therefore Ford will stop producing the Ranger. I wonder if they consider the fact that Ford has not made a major upgrade on the Ranger since the 90's, offer almost no options for it (I don't think you can even a CD changer for it on the 2010 models), and , like the Sport Trac, Ford has not had any recent marketing efforts for the Ranger (except to mention a generic mileage claim).

No wonder the market segment has declined!



Like so many others, I first chose Rangers ('94 and '02 models) before moving to a ST for the seating capacity. I'd seriously look at a true four door Ranger, the F series truck to too big to fit my needs, so it looks like a new Ford is not in the future for my household.



Fortunately, looks like my ST will suit me for a few more years.

:driving:

 

[Tom Schindler]

Kind of reminds me when they dropped Mustang for the Rustang II.

Ironically enough, the Mustang II was one of the top selling Mustangs of all times. Mistake? I wouldn't call making a car that was one of the top selling models a mistake.





Tom