Final Ford Ranger to be built mid-month, already sold to Orkin

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Ford Ranger on duty for Orkin

The Ranger pickup has been an integral part of the Ford truck lineup for decades. But later this month, that will cease to be - at least here in the States. That's when the very last Ranger will roll off the assembly line in St. Paul, Minnesota. And what do you know, it's already found a buyer.

The last Ranger has been sold to Orkin, the pest control company that already relies on fleets of white Rangers (and Chevrolet Colorado pickups) with the red diamond logo on the door and all manner of insecticides and other tools of the trade in the back.

"Since 1983, Orkin has used the Ford Ranger as its primary fleet vehicle because it's a reliable and economical truck," Paul Youngpeter, Director of Fleet for Rollins, Inc. (Orkin's parent company) tells Autoblog. "We're honored that Ford has agreed that we will get the last Ranger, and we'll put into our regular service rotation before it's retired to our corporate archives or used for training."

Orkin says they've got enough Rangers to last them for now, and that the company will pick a successor when the time comes. For our part, it seems only fitting to us that a terminated model should be used by exterminators, but one way or another, at least the final Ranger will be put to good use.

Final Ford Ranger to be built mid-month, already sold to Orkin originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Putting the "Ford" in The Blue Oval’s new Ranger pickup

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water testing the new ford ranger
Fording with the Ford Ranger - Click above to watch video after the jump

If you're a Ranger fan, the video posted after the jump is going to make you sad. Ford engineers in Australia filmed the new but not-for-U.S.-consumption truck as its water wading capabilities were put to the test. The results were heaps good.

Ford's new Ranger is available in a Hi-Rider version that's capable of, ahem, fording through an impressive amount of water. Starting at a depth of two-inches, the engineers kept pushing until they were driving through 31.5 inches of engine-killing fluid. The two-inch deep pool is used to simulate long puddles, and the truck is run through at 19, 31 and 40 miles per hour. When filled to the max, the test area is traversed at a much slower 4 mph.

In order to achieve these results, Ford raised the air intake and alternator to a spot where they stay above the water line. Crucial components that sit lower are water-proofed. Click past the jump to see the testing in action, and be sure to read more about the Ranger in the full press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Video: Putting the "Ford" in The Blue Oval's new Ranger pickup

Video: Putting the "Ford" in The Blue Oval's new Ranger pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak promo makes us want one even more

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2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak
2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak - Click above to watch video after the jump

If you just managed to get over the news that the new global Ford Ranger isn't coming to the States, you might want to look away. Ford has just dropped a new promotional video for the Ranger Wildtrak, and the clip has us licking our chops for the forbidden fruit of the FoMoCo realm all over again. Along with a sporty appearance, seating for the whole gang and plenty of off-road ability, the Ranger Wildtrak brings diesel power to the party. Buyers in nearly every corner of the globe but our own can have the mid-sized truck with their choice of one of two torque-tastic diesel engines.

Those include either a 2.2-liter four-cylinder or the 3.8-liter inline five-pot featured in the video. This particular mill delivers a whopping 347 pound-feet of twist and can be mated to a six-speed manual transmission. If that sounds like light-truck perfection to you, welcome to the club. Hit the jump to check out the flick for yourself.



Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Ford via Carplace]

Continue reading Video: 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak promo makes us want one even more

Video: 2012 Ford Ranger Wildtrak promo makes us want one even more originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford announces two recalls, more than 30,000 vehicles affected

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2010 Ford Ranger plays in the mud
2010 Ford Ranger - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Detroit News is reporting that Ford and The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration have announced the recall of over 30,000 vehicles. A total of 23,688 Ranger pickups are being brought back to dealers to inspect fuel lines for potential chafing. The problem may result in a gasoline odor or a fuel leak, but is only present on 2010 vehicles equipped with the company's 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. Additionally, Ford is also re-inspecting certain 2011 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Edge and Flex models that were covered under a previous recall last December.

Those 14,737 vehicles were originally recalled for body control modules that could short out and lead to a fire. The first time around, Ford used a software program to read the serial numbers on the defective parts to correctly identify the pieces that were likely to fail. Unfortunately, the program was apparently reading the wrong set of characters. As a result, some of the faulty modules may not have been replaced. As a result, Ford will take a second look at the parts in hopes of finding those that could be a problem later down the line.



[Source: The Detroit News]

Ford announces two recalls, more than 30,000 vehicles affected originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Ranger Wildtrak making global debut in Geneva

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2011 ford ranger
2011 Ford Ranger Wildtrak - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford is bringing its grown-up Ranger to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Making its world debut is the Ranger Wildtrak, Ford's top-of-the-range pickup packed with premium tech features. The full list of toys has not yet been released but Ford has announced that the Wildtrak boasts voice recognition and a rear-view camera in addition to satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity.

More important than its interior gadgets, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak is designed to be a tough vehicle when the road disappears. It's capable of wading through water up to 31.5-inches deep and has just over nine inches of ground clearance. Under the hood, the Ranger can be fitted with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder Duratorq engine with 277 pound-feet of torque, or a larger 3.2-liter five-cylinder that churns out 347 lb-ft.

Beyond its interior gewgaws, the Wildtrak is differentiated by different exterior color splits and graphics, along with features like a a standard roof rack and 'sports hoop' (read: faux roll bar) and 18-inch wheels.

As you likely already know, the new Ford Ranger will not be offered for sale here in the United States. If you must have one, book a ticket to London because it goes on sale in Britain this November.



[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford Ranger Wildtrak making global debut in Geneva

Ford Ranger Wildtrak making global debut in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: New Ford Ranger to spawn SUV variant

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2011 Ford Ranger
2011 Ford Ranger - Click above for high-res image gallery

We already know we're not getting the all-new 2011 Ford Ranger pickup truck, while the rest of the world is. Now word on the street internet is that FoMoCo is planning on spawning an SUV variant based off the new Ranger's compact truck platform. With the Explorer going the I'm-just-a-car-under-here crossover route, a full-on body-on-frame SUV would be a welcome addition to the Ford lineup.

According to Ward's Auto, the new Ranger, internally known as project T6, was designed from the get-go to support a seven- or eight-passenger sport utility vehicle. The Ranger's growth spurt is the primary reason we are not gaining the new pickup truck in our market. The long-wheelbase dual-cab Ranger is nearly five inches longer than a single-cab Ford F-150. The two trucks are now too close in size, says Ford, and the departing version is on the outs because its ancient underpinnings are having increasing amounts of trouble meeting regulations, among other things.



[Source: Ward's Auto]

Report: New Ford Ranger to spawn SUV variant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All-new Ford Ranger debuts for the rest of the globe

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2011 Ford Ranger
2011 Ford Ranger - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has finally unveiled the not-for-U.S. 2011 Ranger. The company has just pulled the sheets back on its compact pickup at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, and there's no mistaking the newest Blue Oval for anything but a Ford. With its corporate three-bar nose and heavily arched fender openings, the Ranger borrows plenty of cues from the likes of the Edge, but throws in a payload capacity of around 3,300 pounds and engine options with up to 346 pound-feet of torque. The 2011 Ranger will debut in 180 markets with three cab choices, two-wheel and four-wheel drive options and two ride heights.

Under the hood, the most potent engine available will be a stout 3.2-liter Duratorq turbocharged five-cylinder diesel with 200 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of twist, though the company says that there will be a choice of a total of three powerplant options, including one gasoline mill. No matter what engine buyers choose, Ford is serving up six-speed manual and automatic transmissions to handle shifting detail. Hit the jump to check out the full press release for yourself, and no, North Americans, you still can't have one.



[Source: Ford]

Continue reading All-new Ford Ranger debuts for the rest of the globe

All-new Ford Ranger debuts for the rest of the globe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #196 – with Jonny Lieberman from Motor Trend

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Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

For Episode #196 of the Autoblog Podcast, recently departed Autoblogger Jonny Lieberman joins us from his perch atop the ivory Motor Trend tower. In between recounting stories from the land of the Buff Books, Chris, Dan and Jonny talk over some of this week's news, including the Lotus Elite, the final Ford Ranger in North America, the BMW 6 Series concept and a truckload of new Chrysler information about the 200C, the Challenger, transmissions, and more. We finish up with some of your feedback near the epic two-hour mark. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #196 - With Jonny Lieberman from Motor Trend



In the Autoblog Garage:

Chrysler 300C SRT-8
BMW 335D
Ferrari 458 Italia

News:


Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Jonny Lieberman

Runtime: 1:49:30




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Feedback:

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Autoblog Podcast #196 - with Jonny Lieberman from Motor Trend originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S.-spec Ford Ranger to officially end production in 2011, Ford explains why

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2011 Ford Ranger

If you live in the States, say goodbye to the Ford Ranger. The oft-neglected baby pickup from the Blue Oval is set to end production at its Twin Cities Assembly Plant in Minnesota next year, thereby kicking Dearborn out of the segment for the first time in nearly 30 years. The rest of the world won't be without a Ranger, though. Ford is set to pull the sheets back on the newest version of the global truck at the Australian International Motor Show next month, though released this intriguing teaser image in the meantime. It's bigger, slated for 180 markets spread all over the planet and it ain't for us. The question is: Why not?

In order to head that quandary off at the pass, Ford wanted to us in on its reasoning behind killing off the Ranger in the U.S. market. Derrick Kuzak, Ford's Vice President of Global Product Development, was kind enough to give us a few minutes out of his time to answer that question and more. Get the answers after the jump.

Continue reading U.S.-spec Ford Ranger to officially end production in 2011, Ford explains why

U.S.-spec Ford Ranger to officially end production in 2011, Ford explains why originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Despite meeting with governor, Ford set to close Minnesota Ranger plant

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2010 Ford Ranger splashing in the mud
2010 Ford Ranger - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to The Detroit News, Ford officials met with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty yesterday to discuss the future of the automaker's St. Paul assembly plant. The facility, which builds Ford's Ranger compact pickup has been earmarked for closure for some time, but despite the roundtable session, the Blue Oval says it still plans to shutter its operations.

Pawlenty's administration had been hoping that the signing of a new state law in April allowing the government to offer Ford a series of tax breaks would be enough to keep the Twin Cities operations open, but apparently it wasn't enough - the plant will close, although an end-date remains uncertain.

Closing the plant will also close the book on the aging Ranger, though Ford has confirmed that the model name will live on with other, larger models in foreign markets. Thus far, rumors of a new North American Ranger (and even an on-air slip by Ford president Alan Mulally) have amounted to nothing, and with Ford committed introducing more economical engines to its F-150 full-size pickup, it appears highly unlikely that a U.S. Ranger will receive an encore any time soon.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Report: Despite meeting with governor, Ford set to close Minnesota Ranger plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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