Overdrive is Necessary: Just When You Thought They Got It Right

Of the three American car makers Ford is generally considered to be in the best position product wise. Their CEO, Allan Mullaly (the Man From Boeing), is a pretty smart man.

Thanks to him Ford has expanded its product portfolio, boosted build quality and made their interiors nice places to sit. Bravo.

He's also going to bring some cars over from Europe because Ford realized that such a place exists and that the cars over there are better.

But then they pulled this bone-headed move and said that America isn't going to get the new Ford Ranger:

Quite simply, this is stupid. I thought that Ford learned that the world is a global place, not just America and everywhere else.

So, instead, we're stuck with this for another year:

It's not hideous, it's not offensive, it's not even bad. It simply exists.

It's also older than the universe. The Ranger has looked like this since 1998, and is Ford's version of a New Year's resolution. Every year they promise to redesign it, and every year they just can't be bothered.

Now, granted, they've changed the grill a few times. But that's like growing a mustache and shaving it off. Yes, you look different, but it's not major surgery.

The reason that this truck still exists is because it's the only compact truck on the market, along with the Mazda version. Every other small pickup is in the midsize category.

It might make too much sense, but if you own a market you should exploit it for all its worth. Gas isn't going to go down, and Americans are starting to buy smaller cars. They're going to want smaller trucks.

Perhaps Ford will just make life easier for us all and bring back the Ranchero.