Ford has reportedly shown its dealers an inexpensive new unibody pickup that will slot in underneath the mid-size Ranger in the automaker’s truck portfolio.
Media reports surfaced this week claiming Ford chief operating officer Jim Farley showed the unibody pickup during a recent dealer meeting and said it would be priced from under $20,000. The pickup, rumored to be called the Ford Courier, is said to have flat sides and a slightly boxy shape that is reminiscent of the original Ford Ranger, which was released in 1983. Also like the original Ranger, the truck will be a simple, utilitarian offering, which should make it attractive to fleet buyers and those who want small, inexpensive work truck.
The Ford Courier could be a bit of a thorn in the side of General Motors when it arrives, as the Detroit-based automaker does not currently offer a compact pickup in the United States or Canada. It does offer the Chevrolet Tornado unibody truck in Mexico, but the Tornado was developed for emerging markets and is only a two-door. For this reason, it would not be an appropriate answer to the four-door Courier, which is being developed with the more demanding American customer in mind.
The Chevrolet Tornado is also sold in Argentina, Brazil and other emerging markets and is marketed as the Montana and Utility depending on the region.
The Ford Courier is expected to go on sale before the end of 2021, with Ford targeting annual sales of about 100,000 units. It will be produced at its plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, which will also build the next-generation Ford Transit Connect utility van.
The Ford Courier isn’t the only compact unibody pickup coming to America for 2021. Last year, Hyundai announced it would build a production version of its Santa Cruz pickup concept at its large manufacturing complex in Montgomery, Alabama. Details on the Santa Cruz remain scarce, but like the Ford, it will be a four-cylinder and will have a unibody platform.
While GM has no plans to bring a compact unibody pickup to the United States (that we know of) it is currently working on the next-generation Chevrolet Tornado/Montana/Utility. The new pickup, which will launch in markets like Mexico and Brazil next year and will ride on GM’s new GEM platform, which stands for Global Emerging Markets. Like the current version of the truck, it will only be offered with front-wheel drive and a four-cylinder engine.
Look for both the Ford Courier and Hyundai Santa Cruz unibody trucks to arrive sometime in 2021.
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Source: Ford Authority
Comments
I don’t know about the Ford but if the Hyundai looks like that picture, it could be a big seller. Where’s the S-10 when you need it?
yea but the Hyundai looks like it would cost about as much as a Silverado.
I still have mine, and I won’t be selling it to get what they call a midsize because they are too big. Its to bad that most new cars and trucks whenever they are redesigned always seem to get bigger. I guess in a way it makes sense because most US consumers are getting bigger as well, Lol.
So with a shrinking farmer population American carmakers answer “derp, more truck” with a female powertrain setup, that should appeal to those “city slickers”. A Mustang based pick-up?, now you’re talkin…
Farmers make up 1.3% of the working population, obviously that doesn’t drive truck sales. They might buy the highest percentage of trucks, but definitely don’t drive the volume.
Yes, but GM is too focused on the mythical electrical market…. if that is the future then they “might” be well positioned but GM leads in zero categories. Bean counters run this company and there is no balance. They’re not making money, they’re not growing the company, they’re not increasing market share, they’re not increasing customer loyalty…. they’re failing… Hyundai is leading, GM is failing…
So their not making money? You might want to Google that because they are making money.
Joe, GM will loose money over the next 3 months because the GM sales in China are down by 92 percent in February. All brands of vehicle sales in China were down by 80 percent last month as well. GM sales in other countries are also down significantly in some countries by 30 percent. You want to make money on GM stock, then short it.
Mark – you do realize that the money GM makes in China is insignificant compared to the money it makes in North America, right?
China equates to about 25 percent (at its highest) of GM’s overall profit vs. about 65 percent for North America (in this case, USA).
25% of any company’s bottom line is not insignificant.
Mark, if you’re so confident GM won’t make money in Q1 2020, why don’t you tell us which automaker will be profitable in Q1 2020. Also detail why they’re profitable versus GM.
Took the words right out of my mouth, GMC Fan.
Xjug, if you look at the categories you would realize you are wrong. For instance they lead the subcompact SUV category with the Trax and Encore. FCA is second in that segment. Also, full size SUV’s and medium size crossovers. Look again xjug.
If they did a vehicle and based it on GEM, it’ll not be competitive in the US market, again, typical GM…
Sounds like it’s time for a modern El Camino! Maybe they could base it on the Malibu platform and use economies of scale to keep the Malibu profitable. Or make it another variant of the upcoming Bolt EUV.
Been saying this is much needed for many years. The truck market is hot, and nobody can say differently, even if you personally don’t like trucks. There is and has been a need for people who really do used a truck as a truck, but just don’t need some huge monster with lower MPG’s and a (now) sky-high price tag. Just try to find a new Ranger for around $25,000. Can’t be done and is really just a special order, which dealers don’t really want to do.
So is this a good idea? Yes. Should GM have been the leader here? Yes. Did they drop the ball? Yes. A small utility type truck for under $20 grand is a great thing. Current trucks being offered are too big, too thirsty and way too expensive!
Disagree. A compact pick-up isn’t big enough or capable enough for most people that use a truck as a truck. And people that don’t, a compact pickup isn’t big enough status symbol. I think this courier will sell well in fleets, which GM has been getting away from.
@steak: I may have said that part wrong. I wasn’t referring to people who use trucks (such as farmers, construction workers, etc). My apologies. I attempting to speak about people who use trucks (using the open bed to haul things of smaller nature) but that don’t need a heavy duty type or large truck. There are a lot of people who enjoy fishing and can use an open bed to haul tackle, poles, fish they catch, etc. There are a lot of people who only need a truck bed to haul a small push lawn mower and a few yard-care items. There are a lot of people who want to carry a gas can (but no way inside an SUV or car) or other small items. My point is that a very large number of people who drive big trucks really never need them and they could certainly get by with a small uni-body type truck. The Honda Ridgeline sells well. Why? Other brands will be bringing out smaller type trucks soon. Why? There is a market and need for a truck like this and not something as big as the Ranger or Colorado or even worse the F150 or Silverado. And not everyone can afford those expensive trucks or may be able to continue to buy them.
What I don’t get is how butt hurt some get on this site the second a person brings up anything about trucks that doesn’t fit their mold?
Good points. I guess if the price is right it could do well, but I still think mainly in fleets. The old ranger sold well, but I think the market may have left it behind.
Use care for what you wish for,
#1 you had better wait to see what Ford is going to offer before you get exited.
#2 the Hyundai so far is not looking like the show truck.
#3 This is going to be a Ridgeline lite.
Note the Unibody part of this means a very small and very light FWD based model that is no where close to the original Ranger or S10.
What we will see here is a lite Unibody that will work here and export as these lite models are popular overseas.
GM has been monitoring this segment and has a truck already in production that is ready for replacement. We will have to see if they will make it for our market now.
Just because you don’t know of anything does not mean they are not doing anything. Look at how many here claimed GM had no EV trucks and were way behind. Well we found that not true.
As for the El Camino. It is not going to happen. Even the Pontiac ST was expected to only sell 10K units a year at best and GM needs to rely on a another market outside the US to make sure they had enough sales. The strongest UTE market was Australia and they even are now moved to trucks.
I expect GM to redo the Montana and make it for the US market too at some point. Just not sure how well it would sell here. I think something on the Nox or Blazer would do much better in a light crew truck.
I’d say take a Camaro and offer a sport truck version of the coupe.
GM could sell a pickup truck based on the Camaro front end. If they set a limit of just 15,000 a year, they could all sell for list price. They could make a very special limited production electric version for the board members of GM that will be electric. lots of room in the back for a huge bank of batteries. Just put a huge front to rear solar panel over the whole thing and increase the distance to travel by another 100 feet…LOL
Now we know why you are not in charge of any automakers.
While a cool idea it is not on3 that would make money or be easily sold in oversea markets not serviced by the Montana.
You would never reach your ROI.
Yes I am a ElCamino fan and past owner.
Says the man that thinks the C8 alone will be an excellent seller for GM in a collapse sports car market….
No one says GM should stop making the Montana, just some punk 3rd world pick-up won’t sell great here because its for 3rd world nations with soft 3/4 cly. engines with fwd and since there’s a shortage of coupe buyers, diversification of the Camaro only helps.
Honestly I hope an Camaro is offered in both Nomad and Camino bodystyles along with the coupe with 4 cly for fleet/base buyers and v8s for sport.
You can’t sell a Camaro as it is. You make it into a truck with no cab space and you sell few. Simple as that.
People will not pay $40-$50k for an Ute. Other than here and the Middle East in small it would sell no where.
Make it a 2 door wagon it will sell less than a Magnum.
The problem is you are stuck in the 60’s and 70’s as today’s market will not support the vehicles we love. Note I said we but only one of us grasps reality of what works today.
Companies want and need platforms that sell in large numbers and they need models that sell 100,000 units or more. Only cars like the a Corvette get a break due to the nature of the car and the profits Built into the design of the car.
Right now the Camato lives because of Cadillacs investment in the car. If Cadillac kills the sedans they have the Camaro is DOA. Selling it in less than 20k specialty units will not save it.
The Camaro really needs 100k units and it may be in trouble at the rate of decline. The Mustang also is on notice too.
“You make it into a truck with no cab space and you sell few. Simple as that.
People will not pay $40-$50k for an Ute.”
Yes, when buying a truck smaller than the Colorado you’re looking for tons of room…., we’re talking about a small truck, Montana would be too small too for that might as well call it Vermont. As for the price wouldn’t it reflect the price of a Camaro with a $25k price with backseats, trunk, glass, etc and an turbo 4. Wouldn’t a vehicle minus that would be less expensive plus the increased volume would keep prices in check.
“Make it a 2 door wagon it will sell less than a Magnum.
The problem is you are stuck in the 60’s and 70’s as today’”
But somehow you think a limited 2 seater Vette will sell like the Model Ts and Model 3s.
I’m talking about an extension of a current model, even for the Magnum that only gave way for Challenger production not because nobody wanted one.
“Companies want and need platforms…….”
So importing a truck that nobody wants here will waste money vs a theoretical truck built on existing products that probably increase ROI like the T1s since its in a hot market with it’s own style vs fwd cheapo mobile.
You will never realize that price. Just look what you get for $25k now… not much.
As for the Corvette it will start out around 45-50k which is abound the limit of the line, it will then settle to 20-25k and by then more Z06 models and Grand Sports or what ever they call it make up for the lower volumes till a C9 arrives.
This has worked for the C5-6-7 for nearly 3 decades.
You can not set expectation by emotion you have to understand cost and the market. Just moving the engine changed little to the marketing plan here as pricing was key and they kept it in play.
Note the Camaro is on the Alpha platform. The reason the Camaro and Cadillacs are higher priced and the only models using it is the price.
Sure you can order a gutted 4 cylinder for just under $30K but just how many people do. Few to none. Then you add a V6 or 8 and you are right back to Camaro pricing.
The Sheetmetal is the cheap part the guts under the skin are the high cost items.
Most of the vehicles in this segment are going to be CUV FWD based models with AWD options. They will be priced to start around $19K and run into the 30’s. They at least needs cab space behind the seat for cargo or a dog for America.
Even then FWD based trucks have had a limited crowd. Most fail after a few years like Dodge and VW. Even the Honda sells below what most mid sized truck sell in volume.
As for the Model T and 3 volumes you can exagerate all you like but GM and the Stingray will do very well profit wise and volume wise till it is time for a new model.
The key to a small truck is price and you need to dip into the high teens to start and you must be below the mid size trucks in price. The Export sales are a must or you will never have enough volume no matter what it is based on. These are going to be more about delivery and fleets too.
This is the kind of truck that will wear a NAPA hat.
Yet the Alpha platform still moves decently, the Camaro jumped up in sales because of re-packaged prices, not because nobody likes the interior, seats etc.. Also Alpha is being replaced by VSS-R wouldn’t that solve the Alpha shortcomings of packaging rhd and pricing?. The economy is on fire (as in Hindenburg), not too many 2-seat “funmobiles” will be sold, they need to concentrate on volume vehicles that can be “fun”, the imports do that, why can’t GM?.
You don’t need export volumes in break-even nations if the truck sells well in N/A also who says it has to be an N/A only model?, can be a premium model over Montana in those nations, if you need awd, skidplates etc get a Colorado since Colorado is available in those nations as well, plus NAPA buys plenty of base Colorados but that doesn’t effect ZR2, Z72 or LT sales.
???? You have not seen sales number and noticed the discounts. Camaros are discounted and selling at 50-60K units. That is well below the 100K units that is deemed safe for survival of the car.
Cadillac’s new sedans are all that are keeping it alive right now. And they are yet to be seen how they will help. I expect them to struggle too in this tough market on cars.
As for the market people tend to pull their money out and put it into objects and often cars in the higher priced models or collector cars. When the market is doing well people go to where the return is much higher.
You will only sell half to 1/3 of the mid size volumes so volume has to go else where. Too keep the mid size volumes up on the platforms they have been selling the trucks globally. Ford does the same. If not for international markets for these platforms they may not exist here.
South America for example has both the Colorado and Montana.
What few NAPA trucks are Colorado’s would be replaced with smaller to operate and buy trucks if they exist. The small Nissan vans right now are in favor as they are dirt cheap to buy and fuel
Again passion alone does not operate a company you have to add in the economics and you just fail to inject these into your ideas. I agree it sounds like a good Idea but it falls apart when it comes to volumes, platform cost and development cost.
No front wheel drive mini truck, please. S10 size with a turbo 4 cylinder would be nice. An El Camino would be nice, but doubt would be in this price segment. Always wonder what mini truck owners replaced their trucks with?
Ford is doubling down on crossovers and trucks in the US and for all the attention the Mach-E is getting, Ford has shown no clear strategy towards electrification outside a handful of models based off of multiple platforms (one of which was developed at a competitor). I can’t imagine the company pulling a profit on electric that way. I think GM shouldn’t try to emulate Ford. It tried and ultimately failed with the Camaro.
There is a market for this and the big key is price. If done right (and that’s a huge “IF”) it could do very, very well not only as a personal vehicle, but as a fleet/delivery truck.
That Chevrolet truck is not attractive at all. Double yuck.
Chevrolet truck sales say differently.
Of course they should do it. I have worked with the youth for 20 years and there was a time when almost all of them wanted a sports car of some type. Now over half of them are clamoring for some type of truck or SUV.
why not being late to the party is better than missing the party
I still have my 2003 Ranger and have been looking for something to replace it. I want something no larger than the “old” Ranger, something that fits comfortably in my garage, something that my wife does not need to climb up into, something where I can place a bag over the bed sides without needing a ladder, something I can parallel park, something with a bit of space behind the seat (i.e., an extended cab), something that gets better MPG that the current crop of trucks, a bed of at least 5 feet (6 would be better), etc. I have no need to tow anything or to haul tons of “stuff.” I never run “offroad.” I do not see my truck in terms of my ego. While I do not throw money away, the lowest price is not a criteria. In chatting about this topic for several years, I find there are many others with exactly the same needs.