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FUTURE FORD F-150, RANGER TRUCKS COULD SHARE COMMON PLATFORM

The Move Is Said To Be Under Consideration

2021 Ford F-150 Lariat
Image Via Ford.

The new 2021 Ford F-150 is launching this year, with tons of segment-first content, Tesla-fighting technology, and a significantly hefty price tag. And by 2022, the T6.2 platform Ford Ranger is expected to roll off the Michigan Assembly line next to the all-new Ford Bronco. In short, there’s plenty to be excited about if you’re into Ford trucks. And farther down the timeline, things could get even more interesting.

According to a report from Australia’s Cars Guide, the successors to both the 14th-generation Ford F-150 and T6.2 Ford Ranger could share a common architecture. The benefits for the Ranger would be the ability to use larger and more powerful engines found in the F-150, while the F-150 wouldn’t be precluded from right hand drive variations straight from the factory. Overall, complexity and cost could be reduced on the back end, but several business factors need to weighed in to determine what Ford will do next. This decision is far from being finalized.

2020 Ford Ranger Level 2 Performance Pack
Ranger With Ford Performance Level 2 Package. Image Courtesy of Ford.

This isn’t the first time an automaker has attempted to consolidate an architecture between their full-size and mid-size offerings. Years back, it was reported that General Motors was exploring the possibilities of unifying its mid-size truck family (Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon) into its full-size truck lineup (Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and HD variants). Internal analysis concluded that such an architecture would not be flexible enough, and the venture would have been prohibitive at the time. GM ultimately veered away from that decision.

While that’s just one example from the past, things change, and Ford Motor Company may have found some synergies between its F-150 and Ranger to make this happen. But again, this is based on one report, and with the 2021 Ford F-150 launching this fall, it would be years before such a plan is implemented.

2021 Ford F-150 Teaser Photo
Image Courtesy of Ford.

Written by Manoli Katakis

Muscle Cars & Trucks was founded by Manoli Katakis - an automotive media veteran that has been covering the latest car news since 2009. His journalism has uncovered dozens of major product changes, updates, plans, and cancellations long before automakers were ready to make things official.

Some highlights over the years of his reporting include the uncovering of the Zora trademark before anybody else reported on the coming of a mid-engine Corvette, as well as the dead-accurate reporting of the coming of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, two years before it hit the market, and even before the debut of the concept vehicle. This type of reporting has immediately continued here, with reports of the original seventh-generation Camaro plans being shelved, as well as what's in store for the Chevrolet Silverado.

Some of his work can be found on massive automotive media outlets, such as Motor1. He also has been a guest on the 910AM Radio Station with Detroit News auto critic Henry Payne, as well as the enthusiast-oriented Camaro Show podcast.

Over the years, Manoli has interviewed various automotive industry titans, leaders, and people that make things happen otherwise. These include figureheads such as GM CEO Mary Barra, GM President Mark Reuss, automotive aftermarket icon Ken Lingenfelter, Dodge firebrand Tim Kuniskis, along with various chief engineers of vehicles such as the Ford F-150 & Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Corvette, and many more.

At MC&T, Manoli is taking his journalism expertise, deeply planted sources, driving abilities, and automotive industry knowledge to new levels, covering more vehicles and brands than ever before. This is the place where you will continue to read groundbreaking stories about American performance vehicles, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Here is where you’ll also read insights and quotes from various automotive subject matter experts on the latest relevant products, as well as some of the latest official news from their manufacturers.

Fun facts: he also once beat Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in an autocross with a Chevrolet Bolt EV. The biggest vehicle he’s ever driven is a John Deere mining truck. Besides a go-kart, the smallest vehicle he’s driven has been a Hyundai i10. He’s also spent time in the cockpit of various American performance vehicle icons, including the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Dodge Challenger Demon, and Ford Mustang GT350R. He has reviewed dozens of trucks, SUVs, and performance vehicles over the years.

One of his favorite new vehicles on the market today happens to be the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. He is also a card carrying member of the Sports Car Club of America, and regularly participates in Detroit Region autocross events.

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