Time for Ford to rustle up a new Ranchero based on the Maverick?

[NHRider]

With all the buzz on small trucks and retro / nostaglic autos do you think there is a market for a Maverick based Ranchero?

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[Blue_Max]

No. And it would be extremely expensive to produce.

 

[Cherokee]

And fugly, I’d call that an abortion.
:XD

 

[NHRider]

And fugly, I’d call that an abortion.
:XD
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they were never volume movers but they (and El Caminos) have really strong fan bases. I thought the development costs wouldn’t be prohibitive unless chopping the cab to a Std is a big lift. What’s funny is I was never a huge fan when these were available but have grown to like them.

 

[ScottyC]

Pass....

 

[Blue_Max]

they were never volume movers but they (and El Caminos) have really strong fan bases. I thought the development costs wouldn’t be prohibitive unless chopping the cab to a Std is a big lift. What’s funny is I was never a huge fan when these were available but have grown to like them.

Back then, making a different version was cheap. I read a whole book about the Ranchero. It was introduced primarily because it was cheap. Ford was looking for an extra body style to sell to set off the insane expenses they incurred for the Skyliner retractable hardtop.

For the '57 Ranchero, they only had to make two body panels, I think. But making a new body style now requires crash testing, and just engineering the thing would cost a lot. Chopping off the rear of the passenger area would likely require a bunch of structural analysis, and the small roof likely wouldn't do well in rollovers.

But the main thing is, it is known in advance that the vehicle would be for a tiny niche market. There'd be no return on the investment.

 

[ScottyC]

No effect from Chicken Tax on trucks being built in Mexico.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax

 

[Waterick]

One of the things that made the Ranchero (and El Camino) viable for many buyers was that you could seat three people across their (mostly equipped) bench seats. Back in the day these cars had a footprint supporting such a layout. Just a two seater is a hard sell in today's market unless it's a sports car. Even then, it's a very limited market where buyers are expected to pay a premium price for it. I don't think you will ever see this vehicle as a two seater only.

 

[ScottyC]

One of the things that made the Ranchero (and El Camino) viable for many buyers was that you could seat three people across their (mostly equipped) bench seats. Back in the day these cars had a footprint supporting such a layout. Just a two seater is a hard sell in today's market unless it's a sports car. Even then, it's a very limited market where buyers are expected to pay a premium price for it. I don't think you will ever see this vehicle as a two seater only.

I suspect that is the same reason you don't see many E-Series pickup trucks from the factory either.

 

[ripperAZ]

With all the buzz on small trucks and retro / nostaglic autos do you think there is a market for a Maverick based Ranchero?

Hyundai has already taken care of that niche market with the incredibly Fugly Santa Cruz it barely has a backseat and barely has a bed too

 

[Blue_Max]

Hyundai has already taken care of that niche market with the incredibly Fugly Santa Cruz it barely has a backseat and barely has a bed too

I'm curious about the Arizona BBQ restaurant owners.

 

[Gray Goose]

Sales prediction would be about 3900 units annually. Regular cab trucks are 3% of sales. Maverick sales were 130K last year. Highly unlikely with such low sales volume.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/06/foursome-america-shuns-non-crew-cabs-like-never-before/

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

It will never happen in the US.
Who wants a two-door small cab none reclining ramrod straight bench seat that has no room to recline. Folks have gotten to accustomed to having bucket seats that are individually adjustable.

 

[NedF]

I had read an article about this a few years ago, but this was just a quick seach...

...The reason there are fewer new trucks with regular cabs is primarily due to fuel mileage regulations that penalize manufacturers for selling short wheelbase versions of full-size trucks. These regulations have significantly impacted the market, leading to a decline in the availability of regular cab pickup trucks. Additionally, the costs associated with these regulations have not provided substantial benefits, making it less attractive for manufacturers to offer these configurations...

 

[ripperAZ]

I'm curious about the Arizona BBQ restaurant owners.

They are barbecue joints up by Prescott and Cottonwood, where the owner hires, illegal immigrants and fires Americans and then launders fentanyl money. I’ve eaten there and they do have great barbecue though. Never tried the fentanyl.

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