A Sad day indeed: End of the line at the St. Paul Ford plant

[1freaky1]

Today Ford closed the Ranger plant down a 1/2 hour behind schedule as the last American Ranger left the plant to go to its new owners if I remember correctly it was sold to Orkin or one of the major bug exterminating companies. This shutdown also put 800 more people on the unemployment list.

[Warrlord]

Yeah, in their infinite wisdom, Ford figured they don't need a small pickup anymore with their new F150 V6 Ecoboost in production since it gets better mpg & has way more power. But, there's still lots of folks that want a small pickup because of the size. Those folks that would have bought a Ranger will now be buying Chevy/GMC/Isuzu, Dodge/Mitsubishi, Nissan, & Toyota. There's nothing wrong with those small pickups, but Ford just lost sales revenue. They sold the crap out of 'em since the early 80's & there's still a whole bunch around. Heck, ya can't throw a rock anywhere without hitting one :D

No biggie though, I never would've bought a brand new one anyway ;)

[BRONCITIS]

No biggie though, I never would've bought a brand new one anyway ;)

Im with ya on that, I will not buy another NEW vehicle. I cant afford one and I cant stand the dealership BS.

It does suck that FORD closed the plant and put alot more pepole out of work. My first brand new truck was a '95 Ranger and I loved the size at the time but the electric 4x4 switch on the dash just let me down way to often. Theres something about getting out and locking in the hubs and jammin the t-case into gear that just feels right.

[shawns 64 F100]

Sad day alright. I never owned a small ranger but would if I didnt need the full size for hauling. I hope they plan to reintroduce it in a midsized along with the Bronco.

I did own a Courier many years ago. Wouldnt mind having one of those today for commuting.

[mattadams]

I'm sure they had good reasoning behind it but it still makes you wonder exactly what they were thinking. I guess they are one of the few auto companies actually turning a profit these days, so mabye they have some clue... LOL. But still... I never owned a ranger myself but you certainly see them all over town...

[bronc_17113]

not sad to see a too small truck go but feel sorry for the freshly unemployed

[RayLCC]

Yet another idiot idea by the American car companies. One thing I remember from the uprising in Libiya (sp) is that everywhere there was media shooting scenes of the country there was at least half a dozen, small, Toyota pickups driving around. Same thing with europe. Little cars, little trucks all over the place. Not an F-350 duelly in sight!
The truth is, the only place these large trucks sell is in America due to our relatively cheap gas... But thats changing and changing quickly.
Think back to the 90's when "everybody" wanted a hummer. Now you never see them, but you can't throw a granola bar without it hitting a damn Prius.
The problem with American Auto makers is that they aren't trying to build "world cars", they're trying to build "American cars". So the big, gas guzzling cars still get all the good care and refinement and the small cars are afterthought-shit-boxes. (think the Ford Escort.)
Hence why people are driving around Prii instead of state of the art, 50+MPG Ford Escorts or (in America) Fiesta's or KA's
Same thing with trucks. In order for the American car companies to compete, they are going to NEED a GOOD small vehicle in every category. Cars, trucks, crossovers (hyped up mini-vans) ect.
Its a shame the car company exec's are too stupid to see this. And that good workers have to suffer for it.

[1freaky1]

Ray you hit that one right on the money! Also got me to thinking after living in Germany and watching Top Gear it ticks me off that our Car manufacturers as well as the Government will not allow some of the better made cars that are sold around the world and made by Ford, GM, Chrysler or their subsidiaries can't or won't be sold here in the USA. Take the Ford Focus the European model is better looking, has better options and different power options as well and even gets better mpg, not to mention lower priced.