When Ford announced the return of the Bronco back in 2017, it was fairly clear even then that it would require the Ford Ranger midsize pickup truck’s T6 platform. Because that architecture dates back to 2012, it had to be significantly upgraded for the Bronco’s long list of necessary capabilities. But without the Ranger, the Bronco’s revival would have been a far more difficult and costly endeavor.
Speaking to Ford Authority, Bronco brand boss Mark Grueber acknowledged two things were required to make the SUV happen: a platform and a plant with the necessary capacity. “So when we moved focus to the Michigan Assembly Plant and decided to bring Ranger back, that was the enabler, because another vehicle was needed to fill up the plant, and we knew that a proper Bronco could be built off that platform,” he said.