Ford extends Ranger line-up with two-seat double cab model
Posted by kstetter@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 45 comments
Posted by kstetter@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 45 comments
trapqueen67567@reddit
It’s basically just a work-focused version of the Ranger. Same cab, but the back seats are gone and turned into storage space so companies can use it for tools instead of people.
Car-face@reddit
And get tax breaks.
Avoids the stricter emissions of passenger vehicles, too.
This is kind of common across the UK as well, with various passenger vehicles getting "van" versions which are basically stripped out behind the front seats with a bulkhead and covered rear windows.
There's a Corolla Van, a Jimny Van, even a Renault Zoe Van
ryzenguy111@reddit
There’s also a Defender van which is the favourite choice of tax “avoiders” with some money. In fact, there are companies that retrofit rear seats back into them so they can be used as normal family cars again
Drzhivago138@reddit
I seem to remember reading somewhere that in the postwar years there was even some government-supported scheme to increase car ownership, where you could buy a small cargo van like a Morris Traveller, install seats and windows to make it a passenger vehicle, but it would still only be taxed as a cargo vehicle.
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
These panel van hatchbacks are still impressive for me. Unlike Asia, you can’t have these things there.
Snack_Powered_Human@reddit
More for tax reasons. In the UK and EU, if there are more than three seats they are now considered private vehicles rather than commercial, increasing the amount of tax due if you use them as a company car.
Confident-Ad-6978@reddit
uh dont the back seats fold up ? you get not much more space? Maybe make the bed larger instead lol.
Personal_Smurf@reddit
Sounds like there is also some sort of tax incentive for this as well but I’m unfamiliar with Irish taxes
andrewia@reddit
I think it's taking advantage of the same loophole as the 2-seater Suzuki Jimny, where reduced seating and high cargo capacity categorizes it as a UNECE/EU class N1 Light Commercial Vehicle. This comes with various advantages including tax incentives, reduced fees, and importantly for the Jimny: reduced emissions regulations.
noodlecrap@reddit
You are correct. I’ll simply specify that these would be CO2 emissions. Euro emissions are the same.
Captain_Alaska@reddit
I'm 99% certain the Ranger (as are all the others) are already LCVs.
rugbyj@reddit
No this is entirely why this exists (Irish News is Northern Irish focused).
Ford (and others) sold these double cabs like hotcakes years back in the UK because trade adjacent folk with company car schemes would buy them to use primarily as family vehicles... but with cheaper commercial road tax and van BIK benefits.
In 2025 the UK government reclassified them as cars because of the abuse.
Ford meanwhile still have the production all set-up, but is finding it hard to sell to the genuine trade buyers now the loophole was closed. This is them trying to recoup that by making it compliant as a van.
piddydb@reddit
So is everyone
SockeyeSTI@reddit
But is it flat like the f150 or are they making a little platform to make it flat back there?
RiftHunter4@reddit
I assume if Ford is offering this from factory it means some businesses were already modifying the trucks for this.
Drzhivago138@reddit
GM did this in the '70s and '80s: you could buy a "Bonus-Cab" that was just the crew cab sans rear seat. But instead of tax reasons, it was mostly aimed at the aftermarket conversion companies who were going to remove the back seat anyway.
Drunken_Hamster@reddit
God forbid they shorten the wheelbase or trade cabin length for bed space.
Drzhivago138@reddit
They do offer SuperCab and single cab Rangers with longer beds, but just like in the US, they don't sell very many.
Fearless_Neat_6654@reddit
Two-seat double cab? There is really a market for this???
Are people this allergic to just getting a work van??
SonovaVondruke@reddit
Toyota literally got rid of the Access cab for the 4th gen because the majority of them were being purchased without jump seats. There isn’t a lack of demand for 2-seaters, but a reduced profitability that makes them unappealing to manufacture.
Captain_Alaska@reddit
No, it's a lack of demand. Toyota still offers the HiLux as a single cab and an extra cab here in Aus but basically all of the ones they actually sell are dual cabs.
The first gen Amarok was offered as a single cab and I think I've seen maybe 3 in the flesh.
NorCalAthlete@reddit
Cool, cool…
…what’s the latest on the Dakota revival?
MrReadilyUnready@reddit
why would an Irish publication report on a vehicle that'll never be sold in Europe?
Brutally-Honest-@reddit
Wish they would just make a regular cab with a 6+ foot bed...
I would go out a buy one instantly
kstetter@reddit (OP)
They do offer single cab Rangers with 2.3 metre beds globally
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
Truck buyers in Europe and some other worlds still want Maverick, as this truck size is actual perfect for their needing.
kstetter@reddit (OP)
I want a Holden Commodore ute, the actual perfect truck size
This_Elk_1460@reddit
So back to what the ranger basically was for most of its existence?
kstetter@reddit (OP)
A 4-door with 2 seats? no
This_Elk_1460@reddit
Okay I think I misunderstood this, I thought they were bringing back the two-door ranger
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
You can buy RCLB Ranger in Europe and some of world, you even can get diesel and MT Ranger in there.
rudbri93@reddit
Certainly didnt get an extended cab ranger for those little jump seats lol.
shocktar@reddit
I grew up on those crappy little jump seats lol.
rudbri93@reddit
As did I, id rather ride in the bed.
shocktar@reddit
Same. On longer drives my dad would put one of those egg shell foam pads and a couple sleeping bags in the bed and let me and by brother ride back there. We had a camper shell on ours.
nissanfan64@reddit
Nice. I remove the rear seats and build a storage platform on literally every vehicle I’ve ever owned. I like seeing more utility options like this.
kstetter@reddit (OP)
Like a panel van?
nissanfan64@reddit
Yea cargo vans are great. I personally prefer passenger vans with the seats removed but that’s just me. I’m sorta in the market for something to replace my rusty Grand Marquis (that yes has the rear seat removed, to transport my mountain bikes) and passenger model Chevy Express is pretty high on my list. Plenty of room to make it a weekend camper/bike hauler/work vehicle once I junk all the seats but the front two.
kstetter@reddit (OP)
I was thinking more like a wagon or hatchback with the seats removed. Like a Ford Falcon panel van or Ford Fiesta
nissanfan64@reddit
Ahhh. Yes those are awesome too. I’ve looked at stuff like the Yaris/Prius/Prius C/Honda Fit/Honda Accord Crosstour/Venza/other wagons and hatchbacks, and I’d absolutely strip the back of those things out for storage room. Male my own cargo versions of them.
bombard63@reddit
So they can sell you the same truck without the rear seats, saving Ford on the manufacturing costs. Sounds great.
Personal_Smurf@reddit
The article also says they are selling it for less than the version with the seats and for some commercial buyers having a storage bulkhead might genuinely be more useful than bench seats they never use.
KingMario05@reddit
Cool! Europe will like it. Hope it comes here, too.
Nonameswhere@reddit
The Ranger two-seat also keeps the standard flat-rate road tax for commercial vehicles.
magnament@reddit
So is it just the two seats?