Although word may have leaked out earlier this year from a union boss, Ford has officially come out and confirmed the return of the Ranger and Bronco. Even more importantly, they have provided a timeline of when to expect these new vehicles.
Announced as part of its presentation during the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), A.K.A. the Detroit auto show, Ford said the Ranger will return in 2019 after a five-year hiatus, while the Bronco will make its reappearance as a 2020 model after being off the market for two decades. Ford confirmed that both will be built in Michigan, a point also mentioned by the union rep last year.

“We’ve heard our customers loud and clear. They want a new generation of vehicles that are incredibly capable yet fun to drive,” Ford North American exec Joe Hinrichs said in a statement about the trucks’ return.

“Ranger is for truck buyers who want an affordable, functional, rugged and maneuverable pickup (and) Bronco will be a no-compromise midsize four-by-four utility for thrill seekers who want to venture way beyond the city.”

The Ranger platform is still sold in most of the rest of the world, including Latin America and Europe, though this will be its return after a five-year layoff as mid-size truck sales declined. The sales in the segment have since picked up after GM re-entered the in 2015 with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Now we just have to see if GM decided to bring the Blazer back into the fold to compete with the coming Bronco.

Ford also announced earlier over the weekend its 2018 F-150, which, aside from the updated exterior styling, will also feature an updated V6, 2.7L Ecoboost, 5.0L V8 and a new 3.0L Power Stroke diesel option. Read more on that truck here.