Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger name is used on two distinct and unrelated pick-up truck lines by the Ford Motor Company:
- The North American Ford-designed compact pickup truck (documented here)
- The Mazda-designed compact pickup (documented at Mazda B-Series (International)) sold in more than 130 countries
North American Ranger
In North America, the Ranger is Ford's entry-level pickup truck. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was used on versions of the Ford F-Series. The current line of Rangers was introduced in 1982 for the 1983 model year. It replaced the Ford Courier, an Americanized version of the Mazda B-Series. The compact Ranger was styled after the full-size Ford pickups, and also offered a four wheel drive system. Prior to the 1983 model year, "Ranger" was a trim package available on full-size Ford pickups. The car uses code R1 (for 2-door) and R4 (for 4-door) in the 5th and 6th positions of the VIN. The Mazda - Ford - Mazda truck saga came full circle in 1993 when the Mazda B-Series truck became a rebadged Ford Ranger in North America. Both vehicles are manufactured at Ford's Saint Paul, Minnesota Twin Cities Assembly Plant . The truck's diminshing sales have made the factory's future uncertain.
Electric Ranger
Main article: Ford Ranger EV
The Ford Ranger EV was a battery electric vehicle produced by Ford Motor Company. It was produced starting in 1998 through 2002 and was built on the two wheel drive Ranger's chassis.