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Ford Ranger's baby brother pickup could launch next year

Ford teased a new model for 2021 in a recent financial presentation.

Sean Szymkowski
It all started with Gran Turismo. From those early PlayStation days, Sean was drawn to anything with four wheels. Prior to joining the Roadshow team, he was a freelance contributor for Motor Authority, The Car Connection and Green Car Reports. As for what's in the garage, Sean owns a 2016 Chevrolet SS, and yes, it has Holden badges.
Sean Szymkowski
2 min read
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Is America ready for a truly small pickup truck?

Ford

All signs point to prepping a new small pickup truck, and during a financial call Friday with Bank of America Securities, the Blue Oval may have teased its launch date.

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Ford/Screenshot by Nick Hide/Roadshow

As spotted by Muscle Cars & Trucks, a slideshow presentation from the event (PDF) confirmed a "whitespace" vehicle set to launch in 2021. "Whitespace" suggests this upcoming Ford will literally sit in a segment uncontested thus far, and rumors point to a tiny pickup truck.

This baby brother to the Ford Ranger of sorts could sport the Maverick name -- a nameplate Ford has trademarked in the US. In fact, we heard earlier this year that Ford has already shown dealerships the upcoming pickup truck and it received an enthusiastic reaction.

Ford declined to comment.

If current information rings true, the Maverick will share a platform with the recently revealed Ford Bronco Sport. That's the automaker's C2 platform, which underpins everything from the current sold in Europe, the latest Escape and the Bronco Sport. A modified version also underpins the Mustang Mach-E. With the unibody architecture, it won't be nearly as rugged as a Ranger or F-150, but if the Bronco Sport is any indication, Ford will still outfit it will plenty of "Built Ford Tough" attitude.

2021 Ford Bronco Sport is a tiny-tough small SUV

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More info to suggest we're in for a small pickup? Dealers also said Ford plans to come out of the gate strong and build the truck alongside the Bronco Sport at its plant in Hermosillo, Mexico with an annual production rate of 100,000. If you're wondering why the large number, it's rumored Ford will consider the Maverick a new entry-level vehicle that will exist alongside an replacement. With the and Focus dead in the US, Ford still knows it needs to capture budget-minded buyers. We could see the Maverick start at a price under $20,000 to accomplish such a goal.

With Americans largely shunning small cars and hatchbacks , Ford's bet on an affordable pickup could be a smart plan.

Watch this: 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is an awesome basecamp