The 2020 Ford Bronco will become reality, thanks to the last year’s agreement between Ford and UAW. All those rumors are finally going to come true. We know that it will share its platform with the next-gen Ford Ranger, and both vehicles will be released around same time. Keep reading to learn more details.
After they bring the new Ford Ranger pickup truck back to the United States, Ford will start working on the revival of the long-anticipated 2020 Ford Bronco, an off-road SUV which was quite popular since late 60s. Its production stopped back in 1996, and we didn’t see any new model until 2004, when a Concept model made a debut at the North American Auto Show. Unfortunately, it was never released to the market.
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However, fans of the original Bronco are demanding that Ford continue producing this popular utility vehicle and now their wishes will come true. The new Ford Bronco release date is set for the end of 2019. You’ll just have to wait two more years for it. The vehicle will be produced in Ford’s Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan. It will be a direct competitor to the Jeep Wrangler.
The first positive aspect of the contract signed between Ford Motor Company and United Automobile Workers (UAW) is that the Ford Bronco fans are finally going to be able to buy the brand-new, redesigned model, updated with the latest technology.
Also, lots of job positions will be open, over 8,500 Americans will get the job and opportunity to work for Ford, while the existing workers will get various bonuses. According to Detroit Free Press, these are the bonuses:
Signing Bonus – $8,500 upon ratification, plus a $1,500 advance from 2016 profit-sharing payment. $2,000 for temporary workers.
Wages – Entry-level from $15.78 to $17 an hour, progress to about $29 in 8 years or less. Skilled trades receive same increases as long-time production workers. Pre-October 2007 hires receive 3% base wage increases in 1st and 3rd years and lump sums equal to 4% of their pay in 2nd and 4th years, going from $28.05 to about $29.76
Buyouts – $70,000 retirement incentive for eligible workers.
Profit-Sharing – For all Ford UAW employees: $1,000 for every $1 billion in North American profit (no cap); Individual payments vary based on compensated hours.
Retirees – Four annual payments of $250 each; legal Services Plan restored.
Other Bonuses – $1,500 annual inflation protection lump sum; $250 annual competitiveness bonus.
Health Care – No change to worker contribution for those hired after October 2007. Entry-level workers hired before October 2007 will receive same coverage as traditional workers. There can be new deductibles of up to $400 (single) or $800 (family) if costs are high enough to trigger the Affordable Care Act’s Cadillac tax.
Plants and Jobs – $9-billion investment in plants; 8,500 added or retained jobs.
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Let’s start the speculations, because there is no official info on the upcoming SUV’s price. If we compare it to the Jeep Wrangler, its competitor, we could predict that the Bronco would be available for sale for the base price of about $30,000. More expensive models could cost up to about $45,000, which is quite a reasonable price for the additional equipment.
Guys over at bronco6g.com did an amazing job by making the conceptual renderings showing the possible exterior design of the new 2020 Ford Bronco. They took some elements from the 2004 Bronco Concept, modern trucks and SUVs, and fused them together with elements from some older Bronco models to create this beautiful, modern concept. It retains a tall, tough and boxy design with a strong focus on towing and off-road capabilities. You have already seen some of the photos above, but there are also other variants of the Bronco concept, which you can see below.
Is this the prototype of the upcoming Bronco? It could be. Emily and Madison Dilley took some spy shots of the camouflaged SUV that looks like the modified Ford Everest. Of course, it could be just a refreshed Everest model. However, given that it was spotted together with the new Ford Ranger prototype, we think there is a slight chance that this is the all-new Bronco model. Take a look at the spy photos below, and tell us what do you think in the comments below.
Here are some additional spy shots captured by the MotorTrend’s photographer.
Until the new Ford Bronco gets released, check out the Ford Troller T4 which is quite similar by its appearance.