Ford Officially Announces The Return Of The Ranger AND Bronco!

Ford took the stage at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show to confirm what everyone has known for some time now: The Ranger and Bronco are coming back stateside! The Ranger will hit the US market in 2019 and the new Ford Bronco, a global vehicle, will follow in 2020. Ford didn't release many details on the new models but did reveal that they would be built in Michigan, a fact which already slipped out many months ago. Joe Hinrich's, Ford's president of the Americas, gave a brief description of both new models and who they're meant for.

"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 Ford 4x4 utility for thrill seekers who want to venture way beyond the city," Hinrichs told the assembled media gathered at Ford's press conference. The Ranger and Bronco will share a platform, meaning that the latter will actually be a rugged body-on-frame SUV and not some soft crossover masquerading as such. Although we've known the Ranger and Bronco would be coming back, it's nice to finally get some official word from Ford about the two models. Both should bring in a boatload of cash as the mid-size truck market is on fire right now and the SUV scene is, well, you know.

It's a bit upsetting that we have to wait two years for the Ranger and three years for the Bronco, though. Ford needs that time to retool the Ranger for the US market and figure out just what the hell the Bronco is going to look like. But still, we want to drive these things now! Looks aside expect both models to feature EcoBoost engines of some variety, a naturally aspirated V6 and potentially diesel units. Diesel is on the outs in the US but the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon both offer a diesel and the 2018 Ford F-150 can be had with one as well. How awesome would a two-door Bronco with a diesel engine be? Note: The Bronco seen here is a fan rendering and the Ranger is the European-spec model.