2012 Ranger
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 112
Likes: 25
whats up guys, today i am a delivey driver for a local auto parts company in detroit, i was driving down the I-75 freeway at 9mile road when i spotted a prototype pickup wearing a mazda grille.. here are some pics..
dont know if this proves anything or if anyone stateside has seen one on the roads.. but there they are...
dont know if this proves anything or if anyone stateside has seen one on the roads.. but there they are...
Not my pics, But I saw this same or a very similar MULE southboound on I-275 a month ago just south of I-94 (west of the motor city). I thought from the lines it was a Mazda mule... replacement ranger seems logical.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Coos Bay
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Alberta
You should have been kicked repeatedly for buying all 4 tacoma's. I know, I know, toyo's are built in USA. 
bla bla bla - profits go to JAPAN when you buy one! I think that new ranger will be one ugly truck if they build it and it may even be built on foreign soil, but at least the end profit will go to Detroit.
Just keep drivin that F250!!
bla bla bla - profits go to JAPAN when you buy one! I think that new ranger will be one ugly truck if they build it and it may even be built on foreign soil, but at least the end profit will go to Detroit.Just keep drivin that F250!!
1. Do you think all Toyota factories employ Japanese people only?
2. How much PROFIT do you think there is in a vehicle, percentage wise?
I will NOT buy/drive an inferior vehicle based on the badge on the fender or where it's made.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
whats up guys, today i am a delivey driver for a local auto parts company in detroit, i was driving down the I-75 freeway at 9mile road when i spotted a prototype pickup wearing a mazda grille.. here are some pics..
dont know if this proves anything or if anyone stateside has seen one on the roads.. but there they are...
dont know if this proves anything or if anyone stateside has seen one on the roads.. but there they are...
now but wait until we get some later test pics.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 0
From: Union Lake MI
Looks like it was rolled over in a crash. That windscreen is a real slope..
Might be for the Thailand bunch... It fits there foreheads.
Might be for the Thailand bunch... It fits there foreheads.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: South Africa
You mite be right, in SA we get Euro/Thai Fords and their latest Ranger just hit our shores and to be honest im dissapointed. The previous two versions really stood out from the car look alike bunch and reminded us of the F series, but this latest version just went back to its "im actually a mazda" look. No doubt a capable truck but yaiks i like a pickup to look like a pickup and not a sedan. Come to think of it some sedans look more truck like. There, i feel better now...
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Up nort WI
I thought I saw three trucks that looked identical to those, only "painted" black and running around up here in Big Snow Country last winter (Good Year has a winter testing facility in the area). My impression was that the trucks weren't fitted with panels that actually belonged on them and where there was good fit and finish (pillars, back of cab, etc.) indicating production potential there was heavy taping and camo. Truck was impressive in person- not too big, not too small in size and with a real nice aggressive stance. I, too thought they were probably Nissans until seeing these spy photos. While not being dogmatic about it, I also agree that we should buy American. The jobs are one thing but the profits and r&d staying stateside are a tremendous boost to our national economy. How many core industries can we lose and still maintain our current standard of living? Apparently one less than we have already lost, if our current economic mess is any indication.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: South Africa
I thought I saw three trucks that looked identical to those, only "painted" black and running around up here in Big Snow Country last winter (Good Year has a winter testing facility in the area). My impression was that the trucks weren't fitted with panels that actually belonged on them and where there was good fit and finish (pillars, back of cab, etc.) indicating production potential there was heavy taping and camo. Truck was impressive in person- not too big, not too small in size and with a real nice aggressive stance. I, too thought they were probably Nissans until seeing these spy photos. While not being dogmatic about it, I also agree that we should buy American. The jobs are one thing but the profits and r&d staying stateside are a tremendous boost to our national economy. How many core industries can we lose and still maintain our current standard of living? Apparently one less than we have already lost, if our current economic mess is any indication.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Up nort WI
My sighting too was quite brief- saw them rolling down the highway, three in a row, nearly bumper to bumper, for about 30 seconds in 35 mph traffic so this all just my impression. I was, however, driving a late model Ranger so it was actually quite easy to make a size comparison. Seemed about the same length as the current Sport Trac, was slightly wider than current Ranger, had about the same ground clearance as the current US Ranger 4x4 but the cab seemed taller- perhaps an indication of better headroom? I will definately buy one, so long as the final sheetmetal isn't totally ugly. Sure hope Dearborn changes it's mind and the US market gets the deisel that the rest of the world has.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: South Africa
My sighting too was quite brief- saw them rolling down the highway, three in a row, nearly bumper to bumper, for about 30 seconds in 35 mph traffic so this all just my impression. I was, however, driving a late model Ranger so it was actually quite easy to make a size comparison. Seemed about the same length as the current Sport Trac, was slightly wider than current Ranger, had about the same ground clearance as the current US Ranger 4x4 but the cab seemed taller- perhaps an indication of better headroom? I will definately buy one, so long as the final sheetmetal isn't totally ugly. Sure hope Dearborn changes it's mind and the US market gets the deisel that the rest of the world has.
