Makes perfect sense to me. The Transit is proving itself in a certain market, and a small pickup would address a slightly different version of that market. People who need massive tow/hauling capabilities still have options.
As for the Wrangler, a pickup seems so obvious. I imagine the Jeep product planners are kicking themselves for not making the long wheelbase 4 door earlier.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
I thought Jeep had decided not to do trucks to avoid stepping on Ram's toes.
Keith Tanner wrote: Makes perfect sense to me. The Transit is proving itself in a certain market, and a small pickup would address a slightly different version of that market. People who need massive tow/hauling capabilities still have options. As for the Wrangler, a pickup seems so obvious. I imagine the Jeep product planners are kicking themselves for not making the long wheelbase 4 door earlier.
Nah, they decided the Caliber-based "Jeeps" were more worthwhile. 
Personally, the Subaru reboot was nearly there. It just needed a bigger bed, two less doors/seats and NO berkeleyING BODY CLADDING!
The point for me about a small truck is that it is low enough to the ground that the bed isn't 20 feet in the air, I don't need to back the tailgate up to a loading dock.
Honda's pickup was close, but again too damned tall. Perhaps if it was closer to an Element in size/height.
I was talking to the truck sales manager at the local Ford dealership today. According to him the 2014 Transit Connect will have a new front and be avalable in 3 models with 2 different wheelbases. It will still be based on the Focus platform but will have a new model with 3 row seating and a longer wheelbase. Also production will be moved from Turkey to Valencia, Spain.
The Transit (replacement for the E-series) will offer 3 different wheelbases in addition to 3 different roof heights.
Ford builds the bigger Transit as both a FWD and RWD van, so it's possible that a Transit CONNECT based truck COULD be RWD.
BTW, rumor has it that Ford may finally ditch the Econoline in favor of the large Transit. I would imagine the "stumbling block" would be the engineering of a Transit to take over one niche of the Econoline's market...the large church/airport/hotel limo business.
The picture of the Ranger that is posted here looks a lot like Ford's "concept" of a slightly smaller F-150 based trucked, dubbed the F-100. For Ford, one of the Ranger alternatives is to "spin-off" a smaller F truck ala Nissan and the Titan/Frontier.
Also, have never heard that the TC is Focus based, think that needs verifying.
xflowgolf wrote:iceracer wrote: Ford will be reinventing the Ranger pickup. It will be base on a common platform on which the Transit connect will be built. So, we will have a FWD "truck"Do you have any source on this? links/insider/etc.?
One of their news releases on the new plarforms. Edmunds Inside Line
Then I just discovered that their is a new Ranger in Europe. Looks an awful lot like an F-150.
iceracer wrote:xflowgolf wrote:One of their news releases on the new plarforms. Edmunds Inside lineiceracer wrote: Ford will be reinventing the Ranger pickup. It will be base on a common platform on which the Transit connect will be built. So, we will have a FWD "truck"Do you have any source on this? links/insider/etc.?
iceracer wrote: Then I just discovered that their is a new Ranger in Europe. Looks an awful lot like an F-150.
That is the one that needs to come here.. Except it would likely erode F150 sales, possibly bust the decades of "best seller" streak. Too bad.
In reply to integraguy:
Since the E series production stopped some time ago, I'm pretty sure that's more than a rumor. The Euro Transit is closer in size to the Sprinter, which does quite well with "small bus" duty.
integraguy wrote: Also, have never heard that the TC is Focus based, think that needs verifying.
Since I own one I think I can verify that. It is definitely Focus based.
An affordable, high-MPG, not butt-ugly mini truck would create a new market for Ford to steal a lot of sales from the imported competition. An unloaded front wheel drive truck may even be better on gravel, sand, and snow, considering that all of the weight is on the front anyway. Without having to accommodate a driveshaft, Ford may be able to design a better bed.
93EXCivic wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: I thought Jeep had decided not to do trucks to avoid stepping on Ram's toes.
I'm going to guess and say they did it because it would have eaten into the Dakotas sales much more than the Rams. Now, I don't know why they wont do it, but it's likely the same reason.
If this makes ChryCo bring back the Rampage I will be one happy berkeleyer.
"New from RAM, the Rampage SRT4. With 1200 lbs payload capacity and 300hp."
Hal wrote:integraguy wrote: Also, have never heard that the TC is Focus based, think that needs verifying.Since I own one I think I can verify that. It is definitely Focus based.
it is indeed focus based.....
Keith Tanner wrote: Makes perfect sense to me. The Transit is proving itself in a certain market, and a small pickup would address a slightly different version of that market. People who need massive tow/hauling capabilities still have options.
I completely agree, but will still make fun of it. Just like with hybrids.
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