Ford Confirms U.S. Production for Ranger Pickup, Bronco SUV

Ford Motor Co. says it will begin building a next-generation version of the midsize Ranger pickup truck at its plant in Wayne, Mich., late next year. The same facility will revive the company’s Bronco nameplate as a midsize model in 2020.

The two projects have been rumored for more than a year as U.S. demand for both vehicle types has grown.

Ford introduced the Ranger in 1982 as a compact pickup for the American market. U.S. production of the truck, whose styling mimicked the fullsize F-150, was phased out at the end of 2011. Rangers currently are assembled in Argentina, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam.

The Bronco debuted in 1955 and went out of production in the U.S. when it was replaced by the Expedition in 1997. A smaller model called the Bronco II was built domestically from 1983 until it was succeeded by the Explorer SUV in 1990.