So the news out of Ford isn't all bad these days. We reported that the venerable Ford Ranger would be discontinued at the end of next year when its Twin Cities Minnesota assembly plant was slated to be shuttered. With consumer tastes changing and Ranger once again holding its own in the small truck sales race, the Minesota Governor Tim Pawlenty lobbied Ford to keep producing the little truck which has ironically become somewhat of the right product at the right time.
While we have no idea if the Governors trip had any bearing on the decision, Minnesota was prepared to match incentives used by other states.
We at Four Wheeler are huge fans of the Ranger and are happy that Ford is rumored to have issued a stay of execution. Our understanding is that the decision was just made and that a team will be assigned to make sure the Ranger will be emissions and crash compliant at least through the 2010 model year.
--Sean P. Holman
Tech Editor - Four Wheeler