Ford could design a new Ranger and build it at another of its flexible manufacturing plants. Or the automaker could take advantage of its pickup plant in Thailand, the second-biggest pickup market in the world, after the U.S. The problem is that, in the absence of a free trade agreement between the two countries, high tariffs on trucks exported from Thailand to the U.S. essentially wipe out potential profits.

The third alternative is to ldiscontinue the Ranger altogether. Ford compact pickup sales fell 24 percent to 92,000 in 2006, and are pacing down another four percent through May of this year. We would not be surprised to see Ford just exit the segment altogether, much like it did when its minivan sales tanked. And small pickups are an even-less vibrant segment than minivans, with fewer than 617,000 total domestic small pickups sold in the U.S. last year, according to Ward’s Automotive Reports.

With modern-day, cash-strapped Ford pulling out of segments not earning their keep, we asked Fields if Ford ultimately will remain a full-line automaker, or a more strategic player. His less-than-satisfying answer: Ford will be a strategic full-line automaker, picking its shots. Does that mean mid-size SUVs are also on the endangered list? Fields talks like a next generation of mid-size SUVs will happen, despite the trend to car-based crossovers.

He says while the SUV segment is shrinking, it still is substantial, and the Ford Explorer remains No. 1. While more study is going into consumer needs, Fields says he thinks buyers still require towing capacity and the ability to go off-road, in addition to having room for a number of people and their stuff. “We will take that into account as we develop our next generation,” he says at a product event at the Dearborn proving grounds. “It’s important to have a wide product range,” Fields says, but each product must fit logically in the lineup and be profitable.

Whatever Ford decides to do with the Ranger for North America, it will not impact the Ranger for Europe and Asia. The automaker showed an all-new 2007 Ranger pickup for Europe at the 2006 Paris auto show. Developed with Mazda Motor Corporation, the smaller pickup, which uses a 2.5-liter common-rail diesel engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission, was engineered in Japan and is built in Thailand, on a separate platform, for the European and Asian markets. The only thing the new Ranger shares with the ancient North American model is its name.

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Regulars offer 6- and 7-ft cargo beds; SuperCabs use the 6-ft only. Engines comprise a 2.3-liter 4-cyl and 3.0- and 4.0-liter V6s. All use manual or 5-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive. V6s also offer 4WD that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing.

All models come with 4-wheel ABS. Leather upholstery is among the many options. Mazda’s B-Series trucks are retrimmed Rangers with a different pricing and features mix. Styling changes for ‘06 Rangers involve modest revisions to bumpers, grille, fenders, and lights.

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Upgrades had improved this truck. The suspension was overhauled for 2004 with improved bushings, springs, shocks and tires all designed to improve the ride quality, and the brakes were improved for 2003. Last year saw some interior and exterior revisions as well.

The result is a solid compact pickup. A Ranger equipped with the German 4.0-liter overhead-cam V6 leaps off the line and runs quickly to speed. An optional five-speed automatic available complements each available engine with close ratios for better throttle response when accelerating, towing a trailer or driving off road.

For 2005, some new packages are available. The Ranger line is diverse and offers a wide range of options. Edge, Tremor, and FX4 models are available, with upgraded audio and wheel packages. There are Regular Cab and SuperCab extended-cab bodies, but no crew cab.

The 2005 Ranger is available in XL, XLT, Edge, and FX4 and FX4 Level II trim levels, in Regular Cab and two- and four-door SuperCab configurations. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive area available. Styleside and Flareside versions are available. A 7-foot box option is available on XLT Regular Cab Styleside models. Five-speed manual and five-speed automatic ($1,000) transmissions are available.

Three engines are available: The 2.3-liter four-cylinder is a modern dual overhead-cam design with four valves per cylinder rated at 143 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque. The optional 3.0-liter V6 is a traditional overhead-valve engine rated 154 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque.

Ford offers this engine with flexible fuel capability, meaning it can operate on ethanol, gasoline or any combination of the two fuels in the same tank. This engine is standard on all 4×2 SuperCab models equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission.

The price-leading Ranger XL starts at just $14,365 with the 2.3-liter engine, five-speed manual transmission, 2WD Regular Cab, 15-inch steel wheels. The XL is available with 2WD and 4WD, in Regular Cab and SuperCab. XLT adds chrome trim, interior amenities (including a CD player, tilt wheel, full carpeting), and useful truck accessories (rear step bumper, sliding rear window, mud flaps). XLT 4WD models get step bars and fog lights, 16-inch aluminum wheels.

Edge models feature upgraded shock tuning and larger wheels and tires. Edge comes in 4×2 and 4×4 editions, but either way it rides at the 4×4 height. The Edge comes with either a 6-disc in-dash CD player or an MP3 player, depending on the model. The Tremor package includes an upgraded Pioneer AM/FM/MP3/6CD system with a 510-watt amp, 10-inch bass subwoofer and four large speakers. A high-output alternator keeps the current flowing and white-faced gauges add interior style. The Tremor package also includes five-spoke 16-inch wheels.

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Rangers come in regular-cab and extended SuperCab body styles. SuperCabs are available with back-hinged rear doors. Regular cabs use a 6 or 7-ft straightside cargo bed; SuperCabs get a 6-ft version. Regular cab Ranger models have a front bench seat and can sit up to three. With the extended cab, a rear seat compliments the rear doors, pushing the seating up to five.

The XL model is on the lowest end of the price range for a reason. Though it will still handle all the driving, it doesn’t have too many interior features. A floor console, cupholders, an AM/FM radio, a digital clock and black vinyl floor covering top the list. A new item for 2004 is a Pioneer Stereo System. It includes an AM/FM CD/MP3 player that delivers 290 peak watts of power through nine speakers and an integrated power subwoofer.

The front end of the 2004 Ford Ranger features a standard raised power dome hood and a new nostril grille. The grille is offered with a horizontal look or a honeycomb design. Across the lower half of the Ranger lineup there are three engine choices. The base model is a 2.3-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 143 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque.

The next engine is a 3.0-liter V6. It doles out 154 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Finally, there’s a 4.0-liter V6 with 207 horsepower and 238 lb-ft of torque. All three engines are available with a five-speed automatic transmission or a heavy-duty, five-speed manual transmission. 2WD and 4WD configurations are both offered as well.

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