New trucks take center stage at this year’s North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, which opens to the public on Saturday. The most significant introduction was the return of the midsize Ford Ranger pickup in 2019. It’s been off the U.S. market for seven years. The Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado are the big sellers in small trucks—a segment that grew by 78 percent in the last three years. So it was only a matter of time before Ford tried to satisfy the demand for downsized pickups.
There’s a lot of nostalgia for the Ranger, which was one of the most popular trucks on the road from 1983 to 2011. eBay Motors offers Ford Rangers from this period in numerous variations.
Ford’s new Ranger is a dramatic leap back into the mid-sized truck market.
It’s Been a While
The Ford Ranger pickup disappeared seven years ago with the industry’s move to oversized trucks. But tastes have swung back in favor of compact pickups. The new 2019 Ford Ranger is not simply be a shrunken version of the ultra-popular F-150. It was completely redesigned for the U.S. market. Ford is emphasizing that a smaller size won’t diminish the vehicle’s toughness. The Ranger will employ a high-strength steel frame and mostly steel body—combined with better maneuverability, high-tech safety features, and greater fuel economy via Ford’s 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine with a 10-speed automatic. (No manual shifting available, but there is an available electronic-locking rear differential.)
The Chevy Silverado for 2019 is bigger—but 450 pounds lighter. (Photos: Jim Motavalli)
Is the New Ford Ranger Pickup a Win-Win?
Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet’s truck manager, told eBay Motors that automakers have no choice but to jump back into the midsize truck market. Buyers are flocking to downsized offerings like the Chevrolet Canyon. “There’s a real opportunity here,” said Piszar at NAIAS. “Americans are moving into mid-sized trucks because they can have the comfort, safety, and convenience of modern cars, plus a work vehicle that can move their garden supplies on weekends. Trucks are a win-win for consumers.”
Small is beautiful, certainly in this 1959 Chevy Apache recently sold on eBay Motors.
Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet’s truck manager.
A real truck enthusiast, Piszar said that collectors are pushing up the values of classics like the 1950s Apaches and the C-10 of 1967 to 1972. eBay Motors caters to the 1959 Apache, and to the Chevy C-10. “Folks grew up with these trucks, and now they’re buying them,” he said. Given the popularity of these collectible classics, one can’t help but wonder if older Ford Ranger pickups might be considered classics one day, as well.
Silverado: If Not Smaller, Then Lighter
On Saturday, General Motors unveiled its new, lighter Chevrolet Silverado. The revamped 2019 vehicle is simultaneously larger (longer wheelbase, increased interior room) and 450 pounds lighter. There’s no fuel economy data yet, but a major feature is a 6.2-liter V-8 with Dynamic Fuel Management that can shut off seven of its eight cylinders when needed. The system is said to increase fuel economy by as much as 21 percent. Also helping with economy is a lighter structure that combines steel and aluminum. There will be six powertrains, including a three-liter diesel that is the first in a big Chevrolet truck since the 1990s.
The Ram 1500 is a complete redesign for 2019, and a mild hybrid system is standard in V-6 models.
A Redesigned Ram
Meanwhile, the Dodge Ram 1500 was also completely redesigned for 2019, with a high-strength steel frame. It’s nine inches longer, with four of those inches going to create a bigger cab. Like the Silverado, it’s larger and lighter, shedding almost 225 pounds. The Ford and Chevy may have hybrid drivetrains in their future, but the Ram is already debuting with one—an eTorque mild hybrid system with a 48-volt battery and belt-drive generator.
The “mild” hybrid system will be available on both the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and 5.7-liter HEMI V-8. It dramatically increases torque on both iterations. The system will be standard on V-6 Rams. Also part of the fuel economy picture is regenerative braking and active grille shutters.
Another benefit of the hybrid system is a three-prong 115-volt outlet in the optional RamBox storage unit in the bed. That’s perfect for contractors and their power tools—or tailgate parties when you want to bring along the refrigerator and high-watt stereo. The 2019 Ram 1500 goes into production this month.
With the return of the Ford Ranger pickup, one can’t help but wonder if Ram reintroduce the midsize Dakota down the road.
See Ford Ranger Extended Cab Pickup Cars & Trucks for sale on eBay.
