Photo: Ford
After gaining the right to use Transit Courier for a leisure activity vehicle, Ford filed for Courier with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Identified by serial number 87113200, the namemark for Courier has been published for opposition on May 1st, 2018 by the USPTO, and the automaker intends to use it for “motor vehicles, namely, passenger automobiles, and their structural parts.”
Even though nothing has been confirmed in this regard, don’t forget that hearsay suggests Ford is thinking about getting back into the unibody pickup truck segment. A Focus-based workhorse riding on the C2 modular vehicle architecture seems likely considering how well the Honda Ridgeline does in this segment in terms of commercial success.
Why Courier, though? If you look through the photo gallery, you’ll notice that Ford used to sell a Fiesta-based pickup in Brazil and Mexico not that long ago. After discontinuation, the Courier was replaced by the T6 Ranger we’ll get in the United States for the 2019 model year with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Even though Ford is cutting back on passenger cars, the company plans to expand the lineup in North America by getting down to business in new segments. Growth and profitability are the top priorities of the Ford Motor Company right now, and a revival of the Courier would put General Motors and Fiat Chrysler at a disadvantage if they fail to reply.
Adding fuel to the fire, don’t forget that even Hyundai is getting into the unibody pickup truck segment with the Santa Cruz. Expected to arrive sometime around 2020, the newcomer will feature four doors, five seats, and the platform from the Tucson compact crossover utility vehicle.
Even though the more skeptical among us don’t see the lucrative part of such an addition to the range, there’s no denying that Ford and Hyundai might be onto something. On the other hand, only time will tell if their bet on unibody will play out in their favor.
Why Courier, though? If you look through the photo gallery, you’ll notice that Ford used to sell a Fiesta-based pickup in Brazil and Mexico not that long ago. After discontinuation, the Courier was replaced by the T6 Ranger we’ll get in the United States for the 2019 model year with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Even though Ford is cutting back on passenger cars, the company plans to expand the lineup in North America by getting down to business in new segments. Growth and profitability are the top priorities of the Ford Motor Company right now, and a revival of the Courier would put General Motors and Fiat Chrysler at a disadvantage if they fail to reply.
Adding fuel to the fire, don’t forget that even Hyundai is getting into the unibody pickup truck segment with the Santa Cruz. Expected to arrive sometime around 2020, the newcomer will feature four doors, five seats, and the platform from the Tucson compact crossover utility vehicle.
Even though the more skeptical among us don’t see the lucrative part of such an addition to the range, there’s no denying that Ford and Hyundai might be onto something. On the other hand, only time will tell if their bet on unibody will play out in their favor.
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