Ford Courier to return?

[csv8]

A new compact Ford ute could make its way to Australia to sit below for the Ranger in the Blue Oval’s product line-up, with local executives to study the business case of the just-announced Focus-based pickup.

Speaking at an automotive conference in Detroit, Ford’s global VP of marketing and sales, Jim Farley, confirmed the brand was working on a new ute that would ride on the new Focus’ unibody platform.
The aim, he says, is to create a more affordable entry into Ford’s pickup family. For a size perspective, look to the Proton Jumbuck (once the best-selling Proton in Australia), or the almost iconic Subaru Brumby. For a more modern comparison, look to Hyundai's not-for-Australia Santa Cruz.
"You can expect new nameplates below where we compete today," Farley said “(We’re) investing in more affordable versions of our truck business.”
Reports out of the USA suggest the early engineering work has been done on the new ute, with spy shots already capturing images of a camouflaged vehicle on the road. Those reports suggest the ute will use a long-wheelbase version of the Focus’ platform, and will be powered by Ford’s 1.5- and 2.0-litre EcoBoost engines.
Sales are expected to begin in Brazil in 2021, with an American launch planned from 2022. And with Ford having already trademarked the name Courier internationally (a nameplate once used on an even smaller truck in Brazil), it seems we might already have the new model’s name.
Ford in Australia says it will be studying the business case for a potential Australian launch, pointing to the Mustang as proof of the brand's willingness to build truly global vehicles.
"Any product that we can make a viable business case for we will always consider," says one Ford spokesperson. "It's based on customer demand, customer feedback and what Australian customers are looking for.
"It’s one of the positives of being a global company. It’s proven that where there is suitable market, and Mustang is great example of that, Ford obviously creates a global product. Whatever is available to us in right hand drive, we will definitely look at for Australian buyers." https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/motor...cid=spartandhp

[vztrt]

Ford need a smaller utility then the Ranger?
Oh ok.

[Adamz Ghia]

Good move. Would suit a younger buyer.

[xr8territory]

Awesome concept. A sedan based utility. Australians would love that. Its a shame we never thought of that!.

[Crazy Dazz]

It's the same old story. I swear car companies must be run by morons.
Or they just really don't give a fig about the Australian market, to the point of being wilfully ignorant.
They have a model that sells extremely well into certain market segments. So they keep tarting it up and making it more expensive until that market segment doesn't want it any. Then scratch their heads/***** because they can't figure out why nobody is buying their toys, and conclude they have to (re) introduce an inferior model.

That said, I really don't think that something based on a unibody is going to be terribly appealing.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by csv8

Whatever is available to us in right hand drive, we will definitely look at for Australian buyers." https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/motor...cid=spartandhp

This is the bit that screws us in Australia. The Yanks don't make bugger all in RHD. Not much anyway. Mustang excluded.

[roKWiz]

Curious....Is that a picture of the courier you posted ? cause it likes exactly the same as a Ranger.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Curious....Is that a picture of the courier you posted ? cause it likes exactly the same as a Ranger.

They have just used a stock photo of a Ranger Wildtrack in the article with the caption "The compact ute would sit below the Ranger in Ford's ute family" under it....

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by DJR-351

They have just used a stock photo of a Ranger Wildtrack in the article with the caption "The compact ute would sit below the Ranger in Ford's ute family" under it....

Thank you DJR, would be good to see a comparison picture when it's released.

[jpd80]

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

image

image

Looks like its had the COF control chassis shoe horned into it..

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Looks like its had the COF control chassis shoe horned into it..

Remember that there is a V8 kit for Gen 1 Focus...

[roKWiz]

Hideous, looks like a VW.

[XD 351 Ute]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Ford need a smaller utility then the Ranger?
Oh ok.

They certainly do. Love my XG daily, but it's near dead.
Ranger too big for me as I'm vertically challenged.
AU BA-F and FG series good too, but also dodo-material..
At the moment I can remove and fit canopy at will for
whatever I need to do, and its super comfy.
X series were just the right fit for my needs, even better than
the 3 mentioned above.
Yep, a Falcon tragic I know, but they tossed the baby out
with the bathwater good and proper when the lights went out....

Ed

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by XD 351 Ute

They certainly do. Love my XG daily, but it's near dead.
Ranger too big for me as I'm vertically challenged.
AU BA-F and FG series good too, but also dodo-material..
At the moment I can remove and fit canopy at will for
whatever I need to do, and its super comfy.
X series were just the right fit for my needs, even better than
the 3 mentioned above.
Yep, a Falcon tragic I know, but they tossed the baby out
with the bathwater good and proper when the lights went out....

Ed

Should have put the sarcastic face in. Still miss my turbo ute. Best vehicle I've ever had.

[XP6]

Ranger... Courier same thing aren't they

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by XP6

Ranger... Courier same thing aren't they

They were pre-2011. The just switched the name from Courier to Ranger sometime around the mid to late 2000's.

[Raptor]

It'll be an update for this, the 2000 - 2010 Ford Courier from Brazil (also known as a bakky in South Africa)



I doubt it will come here, we like higher spec and apparently only want tradey size 1 tonner pickups. WTF !

I don't know where they got that idea from

Bring back the Subaru Brumby please

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Raptor

It'll be an update for this, the 2000 - 2010 Ford Courier from Brazil (also known as a bakky in South Africa)

image

I doubt it will come here, we like higher spec and apparently only want tradey size 1 tonner pickups. WTF !

I don't know where they got that idea from

Bring back the Subaru Brumby please

That looks like a true ute though. Also has a Proton look about it.

[baboon]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

That looks like a true ute though. Also has a Proton look about it.

Yeah looks like the proton jumbuck

[Crazy Dazz]

The issues is that the big fleet buyers, including Mining and Hire, don't want powerful or luxury models.
The best units we ever had were the base-model L100s, with the straight diesel.
So obviously Toyota had to **** that over when they brought out the 200.
Leading them to introduce the 90 (based on the old 70) with a down specced (but still too powerful) engine.

Ford couldn't wait to join the shoot yourself in the **** club.

The Old Courier/Ranger started to become increasingly popular, precisely because it wasn't as good as a Hilux. It was much cheaper to buy, more than adequate, and importantly cheaper to maintain. So they pushed the current model way upmarket.

So yes, there is a need for a cheaper option. Its why a few sad companies experimented with Great Wastes.

Unfortunately a unibody ute based on a FWD platform won't cut the mustard.

The utterly stupid thing is that Toyota and Ford already make the products we want, in the same bloody factories, they just refuse to comply them for Australia.
Sp much so that some of the bigger miners have started grey importing their own vehicles. Since they don't need to be registered, it works out well.