Yesterday saw some big news from Ford Motor announced at the annual International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich.
First things first: It’s official. Ford Motor is bringing back the Bronco after 24 years off the market. Ford said that the popular mid-size SUV will return to the global vehicle market come 2020. In addition, Ford announced that it would be reintroducing its Ranger to its North American offering in 2019. Both the Bronco and the Ranger are slated to be manufactured at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich.
Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of the Americas, was quoted as saying, “We’ve heard our customers loud and clear. They want a new generation of vehicles that are incredibly capable yet fun to drive. Ranger is for truck buyers who want an affordable, functional, rugged and maneuverable pickup that’s built Ford tough. Bronco will be a no-compromise midsize 4×4 utility for thrill seekers who want to venture way beyond the city.”
Ford also unveiled the new F-150 pickup truck model and announced that it will be expanding its Chariot ride share service to eight cities, with at least one of the cities located somewhere outside the U.S. For currently operates Chariot shuttle services in San Francisco and Austin.
Ford acquired Chariot back in September 2016. The car maker also collaborated with bike sharing company Motivate to expand transportation solutions in city centers. Ford and the bike share startup are working with Bay Area city officials to add new stations and increase the number of bikes to 7,000 by the end of 2018.
According to Ford’s research, currently half of the world’s population lives in cities, and by 2030, that’s expected to grow to 60 percent. The challenges tied to moving people and goods will only increase, and Ford said it wants to be part of the solution to current and future urban congestion. And for those looking to get outside the ever-growing city space, they’ll soon have the Bronco and Ranger to choose from.