Return of The Ford Courier?

Since 2018, there have been rumors that Ford is working to bring back a Courier compact pickup that could find its way into the U.S. product lineup by 2022. The new pickup would be smaller than the new 2019 Ford Ranger. Automobilemag reports that Ford is creating a compact pickup that would fill the space left open when the Brazilian built Courier pickup was replaced with the larger midsize global Ranger in 2013. Their source has indicated that the new Courier replacement will be built on the next-generation Focus platform, and that Ford is “considering” bringing it to the United States.

Ford Truck Enthusiasts also spoke to a source with “a close working relationship with Ford,” who told them the automaker is working on a new Courier model, to be based on the Sonora, Mexico-built CD4 (Fusion) platform.

CD4 Fusion Platform

Ford Truck Enthusiasts also suggested that “This would, of course, give Ford a compact pickup they can slot below the formerly compact Ranger.” and that “It would also be a bit of a preemptive move on Ford’s part after they missed out on the mid-size truck resurgence.”

Ford Trademarked ‘Courier’

Car and Driver reported that Ford has applied to trademark the ‘Courier’ name with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The nameplate was previously applied to the Mazda-based compact pickup truck Ford sold in the United States from 1972-1982. More recently, Ford has used the name on the Transit Courier small van that is sold overseas, and it’s possible that Ford’s trademark application is in reference to that vehicle.

I did a search at USPTO.gov (United State Patent and Trademark Office) and found these two trademark registrations dated July 22, 2016:

Trademark #1

 

Trademark #2

You’ll see that the second trademark is for a ‘Transit Courier’. Ford Europe has been selling a Transit Courier since 2014.

Jim Farley – Ford Motor Company:

According to Automotive News, Jim Farley, Ford Motor Co.’s president of global markets, confirmed plans to build a less expensive pickup that would slot below the Ranger. Farley said that Ford is “investing in more affordable versions of our truck business” and added, “You can expect new nameplates below where we compete today.”

Small Pickup Renaissance?

We may be nearing a small-pickup renaissance, though. The Hyundai Santa Cruz looks promising, and there is a tiny sliver of hope that we might be getting a small pickup from Volkswagen in the United States. Ford may be looking to grab a slice of that pie.

Hyundai Santa Cruz

Spy Photos

While we still don’t have confirmation on markets in which the new compact pickup will be sold, Car and Driver recently acquired this set of spy photos of a heavily camouflaged small vehicle testing in Michigan. The photographers insist that the vehicle, although clad to resemble a small van, is a small, car-based pickup truck.

Ford Courier Renderings

Would the new Ford Courier look like this?

What Do You Think

What do you think? Should Ford bring back a mini pickup? What do you think about it being a unibody construction based off of the Ford Fusion?