New Ford Ranger: Coulda been a hybrid, shoulda had Ecoboost

The most fuel efficient pickup truck by Ford isn't going to be available in America. When is the Big 3 going to get it?

Too fuel efficient for America

Too small and efficient for Ford’s profits?

The all new Ford Ranger is not headed for America, as Ford believes the smaller, cheaper and more fuel efficient Ranger pickup truck would cannibalize less efficient, more expensive F150 sales.

Ironically, as small cars become vogue in Detroit, pickup trucks – the Big 3’s bread and butter – keep getting bigger.

Since Alan Mulally’s arrival at Ford, I’ve been pretty impressed, but this Ranger decision is both disappointing and anti Mulally-ish. Where is the efficiency, kaizen master?

Ultimately, pickup trucks are the most important segment for US automakers, yet the fuel economy of the best selling trucks in the US is despicable, and a new upgraded Ranger with Ford’s Ecoboost would have been a really nice step towards addressing pickup truck inefficiency, in lieu of a hybrid model of course. And considering the new Ranger will be a 4 cylinder model, why not a hybrid version?

Sure, GM’s Chevy Silverado hybrid has been a bust, but the Silverado is a full-sized pickup truck.

A Ranger hybrid, on the other hand, doesn’t need the payload and towing power of a big pickup, plus it’s entire hybrid drivetrain could be coordinated with the Ford Escape hybrid.

Nonetheless, let’s say the hybrid version of the Ranger is still too expensive, why not an updated Ranger with Ecoboost for America? Why not start giving pickup truck buyers some real choices?

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