Ford Officially Resurrects Bronco and Ranger Nameplates in U.S.

After years of concept art and consumer speculation, Ford executives made it official at the North American International Auto Show, that both the Bronco and the Ranger would be making a return to the U.S. market. They expect the Ranger pickup to hit showroom floors by 2019 and the Bronco to follow suit by 2020.

Both trucks will be built in Ford’s Wayne, Michigan assembly plant and both are expected to be of body-on-frame construction. However, most of the other details about these "new" models are unknown.

While the Ranger still sells in Europe, it was discontinued the in the U.S. in 2012. It makes a return to the American market to compete with GM after their success with their Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickups. Ford is looking to reclaim a piece of that segment.

The Bronco was discontinued in 1996 and replaced by the larger Expedition. Like the new Ranger, it is expected to be a body on frame truck, rather than unibody construction like most other sport utility vehicles (SUV) on the road. There is also rampant debate as to whether Ford will stick with a two-door Bronco. The new Ford SUV may be intended to compete with Jeep's four-door Wrangler Unlimited. Jeep sells many more of those than the traditional two-door Wrangler, so while purists may be praying for a two-door Bronco, Ford may have other ideas if the Bronco is intended to be a Wrangler fighter.

Even with four doors, both the Bronco and Ranger will be more than capable off-road. Both models will be based on the Ford Everest platform. The Everest, an SUV sold in Asia and Australia, is renowned for its off-road prowess. But while the Ranger and Bronco will share this rugged chassis, Ford has said these will not be Everest clones when it comes to their bodywork.

As far as what’s under the hood, that also remains confidential. But there is speculation that they will offer an EcoBoost four-cylinder or a gas powered V6. GM has also begun selling the Colorado and the Canyon with diesel, so there is a chance Ford could offer that as an option, as well.