[jpd80]

Ford got rid of the Ranger in the USA because most buyers were purchasing the Truck because
it was cheap at $16,000 starting price and also relatively cheap to run with a 2.5 I-4, most buyers
weren't buying them because they were trucks, so Ford tried to convert as many buyers as possible
to other vehicles like SUVs, Transit Connect or Fiesta.

Ford's greater plan to get rid of its "Body on Frame" trio of Explorer, Crown Victoria and Ranger
meant it could close three plants, reduce production capacity and convert as many buyers as
possible to other products. The savings from closure and not those renewing products
meant Ford saved a fortune even before it converted any customers.

The other point is internal competition:
You only have to look at Toyota in the USA, sure they kept the Tacoma mid sized truck but
they evolved it like Toyota did with the Hilux for the rest of the world, there's no money in separate platforms.
Even though Tacoma sells around 12,000 or 13,000 per motn there, it is the belief of critics that the Tacoma
fill the need so well it converts many would be Tundra buyers and really hurts the big trucks sales.

Ford won't risk any internal competition to its F150, that truck is essential to USA's major league profits.