http://www.automobilemag.com/news/future-cars-suvs-2016/?wc_mid=4035:2426&wc_rid=4035:169149&_wcsid=C2EA89DFF4CCE54A2126698C2D0FD721FEA1D98B129AF8E0
Ford Bronco
What we know
Ford has confirmed it will build two new vehicles at the Michigan factory where the Focus and C-Max are assembled. Sources say one is almost guaranteed to be the Ranger, Ford’s midsize pickup truck that’s already on sale overseas. A second vehicle will join the plant in 2020, and a modern-day Bronco makes a lot of sense as that vehicle. It would essentially be Ford’s version of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, built off the Ranger platform, underpinned by a tough suspension, and sporting a boxy, retro look. Think of it as the pickup truck for people who don’t actually need an open cargo bed but want the ground clearance and towing ability a more capable, body-on-frame SUV would provide.
Why it matters
The Bronco would give Ford a credible competitor to the beloved Jeep Wrangler. Although it’s unclear whether the Bronco’s chops could really match those of the Jeep, a hardcore variant along the lines of the F-150 Raptor could be developed to help boost its go-anywhere appeal and highlight its roots in off-road racing.
Where it could go wrong
Is there a business case for launching what would likely be a low-volume SUV when Ford already sells hundreds of thousands of pedestrian crossovers here? In addition, if gas prices suddenly spike, the market for vehicles like a Bronco could dry up. Ford has long expressed skepticism about selling pickups smaller than the F-150 in the U.S., despite its decision to reboot the Ranger. Trying to push through another body-on-frame offering below the F-150 won’t be easy.
When to expect it
No sooner than 2020, and about two years after Ranger production would begin in the U.S.