On Monday, Ford Motors confirmed the comeback of the Bronco SUV at the Detroit Auto Show. The new Bronco will return to the automaker’s vehicle roster in 2020, and like the older models, it will be all made in America.
The Ford Ranger will also rise from the ashes after a 6-year-long absence. Ford halted production of the compact pickup truck back in 2011, and the new model will debut in 2019 only in North America.
Ford provided only a few details about each of the revived trucks, stating they would meet next-generation industry standards and that they would be manufactured at the company’s Michigan Assembly Plant where the Bronco was made during its production run.
The legendary automaker recently vowed to invest in the Wayne, Michigan factory over outsourcing its operations to Mexico. The move will involve a smaller investment and bring back over 2,000 jobs to the city.
“Ranger is for truck buyers who want an affordable, functional, rugged and maneuverable pickup that’s built Ford Tough. Bronco will be a no-compromise midsize 4×4 utility for thrill seekers who want to venture way beyond the city,” said John Hinrich’s Ford’s regional President.
It is safe to say Ford’s new trucks will bear all the characteristics that rank its vehicles among the top favorites in the US, but as of now, the automaker has yet to disclose more details about the Bronco and the Ranger.
2020 Ford Bronco: Rumors and concept
Speculation suggests the 2020 Bronco will have a body-on-frame (BOF) build for more off-road sturdiness, as well as four-wheel drive (4WD) capabilities for better traction in difficult terrain and weather.
Design-wise, Ford is expected to honor the 30-year-old legacy of the original Bronco by adapting the signature removable top to modern times. The last SUV models produced in the 90s introduced some safety measures that made it harder to detach the top of the truck.
A Ford Bronco concept model was presented back in 2004 at the New York Auto Show, showing a much more rugged body than previous builds, and that looked nothing like the last vehicles manufactured. It is unlikely the new Bronco will sport this look, but some aspects could make their way into the final truck.
Under the hood, the logical answer to the Bronco’s needs seems to be a traditional V8 engine and both automatic and manual transmission offerings, just like the old trucks. A hybrid Bronco could also surface in light of recent Ford commitments to clean energy and electric vehicles.
The picture is a lot clearer with regards to the 2019 Ranger since Ford said it would be based on the Ford Ranger (codenamed T6 in other markets) currently available around the world but not in North America.
2020 Ford Bronco: Price and release date
Ford has yet to disclose a more accurate release date for the Ranger and the Bronco beyond the respective 2019 and 2020 deadlines. The automaker did not give pricing details either, but Ford is known for keeping its cards close to its chest.
John Hinrich described the upcoming Ranger as “affordable” in its announcement, so we can expect as much from the Bronco as well when it launches three years from now.
Upon release, the 2020 Bronco would be up against a rising industry trend, as several competitors like Jeep and Land Rover are plotting the launch of luxury SUVs in the coming years. These trucks could go above the $100,000 mark, while the Bronco could stay within the range of traditional American drivers.
Source: Ford