UAW Boss Responds to Trump and Confirms Ranger and Bronco in Process
Rumors and speculation are interesting things. When I hear something that might get you all excited, I like to come here and share with you the news. That’s why over the past year or so I’ve been bringing you the latest speculation about the return of the mid-size Ford Ranger and the Bronco SUV. While this isn’t officially from Ford, the head of the UAW that handles the Michigan Assembly plant just confirmed the Ranger and Bronco.
The Detroit Free Press was interested in finding out what people who work at that plant thought about the constant abuse publicly from Donald Trump. You see, Ford is moving the Focus and C-Max production from that plant to Mexico. While this is a common occurrence amongst all the major manufacturers — small cars aren’t profitable for the Big 3 to be build in the United States — Trump has singled out Ford as his personal whipping boy.
Ford has long said that even though they are shifting production of the Focus to Mexico, there wouldn’t be a single job loss at that plant. How could there not be a job loss at that production facility if they’re moving production of the car there away? It’s simple, they’re going to bring in another product to produce there.
When the latest UAW contract was ratified, it was believed that Bronco and Ranger would be the product to replace the Focus and C-Max. Ford was mum on the topic, as most labor negotiations aren’t public, but it made a lot of sense.
In response to Trump’s accusations about Ford completely leaving the United States, Bill Johnson, UAW 900 Chairman, had some things to say.
“We hate to see the products go to Mexico, but with the Ranger and the Bronco coming to Michigan Assembly that absolutely secures the future for our people a lot more than the Focus does,” Johnson said.
While we’ve believed that to be true for awhile, it’s nice to finally hear something confirming what we already believed to be true. Of course, we still don’t know anything about either vehicle other than the existence of both vehicles. On sale date, options, performance, and so on are something we won’t know for a long time yet.
We have proposed a practical timeline for the announcement of both vehicles. We assume with the information being out there now that Ford won’t wait too long to let us know what’s going on with both vehicles. The timeline is starting to look like it might be a little bit accurate.
We reached out to Ford for comment, and Ford’s SUV communications guru Will Mattiace had this to say;
“We have committed to two additional vehicles moving in to Michigan Assembly Plant, beginning in 2018, and we remain on plan. We are not announcing specific products at this time.”
What do you expect from the new Ranger and Bronco? What are you looking for that would make you head to the dealership and buy one when they come out? Let us know what you think in the comments below or over in our forums.
via [Detroit Free Press]
