US: Ford may extend Ranger pick-up production

26/06/2008 09:34. “market and despite going more than a decade without a significant redesign, it is still the nation's number two compact pick-up after the Toyota Tacoma.” // Automotive World

26/06/2008 05:18. The Ranger, despite receiving relatively few updates over the years since its inception in 1982 as a 1983 model, is apparently regaining traction in the compact truck segment as a result of rising fuel costs. The 2.3-liter, four-cylinder powered 2WD Ranger with a five-speed manual transmission achieves an EPA estimated 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

Ford sold 36,421 Rangers through June in 2008, up 2.3 percent compared to last year. Sales of bigger, gas-guzzling trucks have declined a staggering 18.7 percent versus 2007 numbers.

According to sources close to the automaker, Ford is looking into lengthening the truck's lifespan until 2011 when an all-new compact truck is expected to debut that will reportedly be built outside of the U.S. The Ranger is built at the Twin Cities... // MotorTrend Magazine