CAFE Spells RIP for Trucks: Ford Ranger the first casualty.

American Spectator ^ | 12.13.11 @ 6:07AM | Eric Peters

[Behind Liberal Lines]

The government's pending (2016) 35.5 MPG CAFE fuel economy requirements -- which for the first time apply to trucks as well as passenger cars -- are going to make it very difficult for any automaker to sell trucks in volume in this country.

Ford has just dropped the compact-size Ranger from its U.S. model lineup -- making it the first CAFE casualty -- and I predict that larger trucks are on the endangered species list now, too....

Even a small truck with a four-cylinder engine will have a hard time averaging 35.5 MPG....

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Your posts on this thread explain how those moronic “Maine Sisters” keep getting elected year after year.

Don't look at me, I keep telling the pickup-crowd not to vote for them, but no, they keep putting them right back in.

[dragnet2]

Extra 40K

What’s the total?

[Carry_Okie]

I was talking a USED price based upon having looked at them about ten years ago. My guess is, fully dressed (PTO, winch, boxes, bed, etc.) and out the door, about $50-60K. It's a REAL industrial 4x4 truck, wax shot in the doors and all. They're often used for spreading salt in the northeast. Unfortunately, the 4x4 is not for sale in California.

CARB.

[dragnet2]

Nice truck, caught my eye.

Your old truck with the dump is nice too.

Cute little dog ya got there as well.

[Carry_Okie]

Nice truck, caught my eye.

I want one.

Your old truck with the dump is nice too.

Great truck, but getting tired.

Cute little dog ya got there as well.

Little? She's 75# of Dutch Shepherd, 26" tall at the shoulders. That's big for a bitch.

[dragnet2]

Oh, I call all dogs “Cute little dogs”

I’ve call my 110 pound German Shepherd a “Cute little dog”.

She really is too.

[cva66snipe]

The so called standards make life harder on many including disabled who require a vehicle capable of wheelchair transport. In my neck of the woods a customized mini-van for wheelchair transport won't even clear most speed breaks in parking lots.

A couple years ago we had to replace our older van which was a full size hi-top conversion. The van has to haul a 300 pound chair, a 350-400 pound hydraulic lift, and at least two persons. It also has to have proper ceiling clearance for my wife who uses the wheelchair. It took me several months too even find a used van fit too drive. Cash for Clunkers hurt many persons. I saw many so called clunkers being glassed that had 100K miles or more left in them easily. One size or one type of transportation doesn't fit all. People generally buy what they need and can afford.

I'm fortunate in one way my dad left me his 95 Ford F-150 4X4 and it has in the low 90K on miles. I intended too keep it running my lifetime. When it comes time for another van I'll buy a smaller used transit bus and just use it when my wife needs it. I am getting very sick and tired of governments micromanagement of every aspect of our everyday lives. That goes for DEMs and most GOP alike.

[Friendofgeorge]

FWIW if it has not already been said? I drive a 2004 Ford Ranger 4x4 Super Cab (with 16 inch wheels) it has been very good to me, so when I heard some time ago that it was being discontinued I checked it out.

Ford Rangers will still be built for Australia/Asia but not in North America etc. Reason I read is that the new Ranger is bigger than previous models, to continue to sell in North America would cut into it`s very profitable F series pickups.

So not sure the cafe standard had anything to do with the Ranger decision.