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Ford Confirms Addition of a Compact Pickup
It's official: Ford is planning on adding a smaller, car-based pickup truck to its four-truck lineup; in terms of size and capability, the new truck will slot beneath the all-new 2019 Ford Ranger.
According to Automotive News (subscription required), Ford President of Global Markets Jim Farley said there will be a cheaper, smaller pickup truck that will serve as the entry-level vehicle for Ford's pickup lineup. Farley spoke at the Deutsche Bank Global Auto Industry Conference in Detroit, where he also noted that the F Series (which we think is code for the Ford F-150) will get a full-electric powertrain at some point in the near future. Having a small pickup, likely based off a modified global Ford Focus platform, would be a natural choice for a hybrid and full electric powertrain.
Ford produced the Courier compact pickup (the progenitor of the current Ford Ranger) for decades going back to the 1950s, as well as Ford Fiesta-based models in both Europe and Brazil. Ford also built a Mazda-based Courier through the 1970s and 1980s until it offered its own Ranger (that it shared with Mazda in the form of the Mazda B-Series) for North America.
Given that mid-size pickups have grown in length and height (in most cases as large as half-ton pickups from just 20 years ago) during the last two decades, we think it makes sense to offer a smaller, value-oriented, entry-level option for those who want or need a downsized work truck. Rumors have also circulated about Ram adding a small player to this class, possibly using the Fiat Strada coupe as the platform.
