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The 2021 Ford Bronco, the SUV sibling of the Ford F-150, in cyber orange off-roading in the wilderness

Will the New Ford Bronco Hurt F-150 Sales?

Just when you thought the hype for the 2021 Ford Bronco couldn’t get any bigger, its unveiling sent fans cheering. After years of quick spy photos and excited whisperings, the Ford Bronco finally has a release date. This will be the first time the classic car will be widely available since 1996, according to Car …

Just when you thought the hype for the 2021 Ford Bronco couldn’t get any bigger, its unveiling sent fans cheering. After years of quick spy photos and excited whisperings, the Ford Bronco finally has a release date. This will be the first time the classic car will be widely available since 1996, according to Car and Driver.

Sales are expected to be very successful for Ford’s latest SUV, and some models are already sold out for preorder. This has led some fans to wonder about the future of Ford’s other best-seller, the F-150 pickup truck. Could the Ford Bronco surge ahead of the redesigned Ford F-150?

What we know about the Ford Bronco

Two Ford Broncos are on the way, one of which is set to be released this year. This smaller version, the Bronco Sport, still comes packed with as many off-roading accessories as its bigger brother. These include roof racks, a go-anywhere terrain system, rubberized floor mats, and flood lamps for the tailgate.

However, the bigger Bronco has the beefiest tires and the most ground clearance. Two turbocharged engines are on tap for the full-size Bronco, including a V6 engine capable of 310 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Ford has hinted that a V8 will also be offered, but it won’t be available at launch.

Like the Jeep Wrangler, the Ford Bronco will feature removable doors and roofs for the most thrilling off-roading experience. All Broncos will be equipped with four-wheel drive and the option to add on a special seven-speed manual transmission. Designed specifically for the most optimal rock crawling, it gives drivers a gear ratio spread of 11.0.

The two-door Bronco starts at $28,500, while the four-door model will cost a minimum of $34,695. The Badlands and Wildtrak trims, which feature the most off-roading gear, will cost between $42,000 to almost $49,000. You can also try to snag a First Edition, but that may be difficult due to its popularity.

The best-selling Ford F-150

The Ford F-150’s reputation speaks for itself in terms of sales. Last year alone, nearly 900,000 units were sold in the U.S., making up a good portion of the automaker’s overall profits, according to GoodCarBadCar. It consistently proves itself to be the most sought-after pickup truck on the market, besting the Chevy Silverado and Ram 1500.

The 2021 model will have plenty of new features, which should make it even more appealing to consumers. Those purchasing the F-150 as a work truck will appreciate the optional built-in general and functional work surface. The interior has also received an upgrade, with more premium materials and even an infotainment system in the base truck.

Looking back at the Jeep Gladiator

When Jeep released the Gladiator SUV last year, some critics and consumers were concerned for the Wrangler’s future. However, these fears were largely unfounded. Despite positive reviews, many consumers felt that the Jeep Gladiator was overpriced, which contributed to its poor sales.

Meanwhile, the Wrangler is still going strong, selling over 200,000 units in 2019, according to GoodCarBadCar. On average, it’s also more affordable than the Jeep Gladiator and has a better reputation. The same will probably be the case for the Ford Bronco and the Ford F-150.

There’s no question about the hype surrounding the Ford Bronco, but the F-150 already has many loyal supporters. The F-150 is also a very functional and affordable work truck. While the Ford Bronco has a decent towing capacity, it simply can’t compete with the F-150. Since the Ford Bronco and Ford F-150 are catered toward two different types of drivers, we doubt the F-150’s sales will suffer. 

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