I don't intend this to be personal, just to set record straight:
As has been noted GMC has outsold Ford for total domestic trucks numerous times in last 50 years, just not for a specific model. And Ford F-series model is still #1, over Silverado, so no foul. I also wonder how much the magnesium fire at the supplier hurt sales.
Ford couldn't sell a 2012 version of the 3rd gen Ranger - CAFE fuel economy requirement was 23mpg for 2012, and only the RCSB/2.3/manual/4x2 made the grade (@ 24mpg, 2.3/auto was 20mpg, Supercabs, 4.0s, and 4x4s are mid teens). And Ford couldn't justify production for just one model.
2011 sales are high because all the dealer knew it was last time buy; sales without external factors was probably 50k, same as '09 & '10.
The right time to have refreshed the Ranger was '08, but with auto industry in middle of recession only critical projects made it. Ford looked across street at GMC and saw the restyled mid size of the competitor only selling at Ranger rates (and fading the same way) and choose not to put Ranger on critical list.
And when GMC reintroduced the Canyon/Colorado, in '14, there were a lot of GMC execs polishing CVs. If the new midsize had sold at the levels the previous version had or worse stole Sierra/Silverado sales 1:1, there would have been a bunch of Chevrolet managers looking for work.
But Colorado has been selling at rates only rivaled by Tacoma, and Silverado sales are up too. So, it is Ford execs who are looking for work as they couldn't correctly read the Tarot cards.
On promoting the Ranger, I am of mixed feeling: I can understand Ford not wanting to over-hype the truck - it won't be available for 6+ more months, and initial volumes are going to sell themselves. On other hand, I would like more information on feature/options/capacities - my local dealer would like them too as she knows I will special order a truck as soon as I have that information (My '98 has cancer, and I suspect it will soon be terminal...)
I am also split on size of new Ranger - being a bit larger, it should handle my camper and jet ski better than my existing truck. On other hand, that is <5% of my truck's usage and some hing like this probably matches closer to what I need*. One can always put the camper on a trailer.
*Similar box on an Escape/proper hardtop, but with suspension modified to provide decent clearance between wheel wells. The Jeep Wrangler gets too poor fuel economy to consider a pickup conversion - interesting how they have a special exemption from CAFE.