The Ford Bronco pickup appears to be moving closer to production after years of rumors, with new information indicating Ford plans to add a rugged truck to the Bronco family. The pickup is expected to be built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant and would compete directly with the Jeep Gladiator.
Bronco Pickup Plans Take Shape
Plans for a Bronco pickup were shared with Automotive News. People familiar with Ford’s plans say the Michigan Assembly Plant will eventually be dedicated to the Bronco family of vehicles.
That family is expected to include a Bronco-based Lincoln SUV, which would offer a more luxurious but still capable model and is slated for production in 2029.
Technical details about the Bronco pickup remain unknown. However, it is expected to share its underlying architecture with the Bronco SUV. If Ford carries over the SUV’s engines, the pickup could use a 300-horsepower four-cylinder turbo and a 330-hp V6 turbo.
A Raptor version could produce as much as 418 hp. Ford is also expected to launch a Bronco hybrid in 2027, raising the possibility of a hybrid version of the pickup as well.
Off-Road Features Could Carry Over
The Bronco SUV’s extensive collection of off-road equipment and adventure-focused gear should also be available for the truck. That includes G.O.A.T. driving modes, Trail Control, winch mounts and special tires on off-road versions.
Those features would give the Bronco pickup the equipment associated with the SUV while placing it directly against the Jeep Gladiator in the off-road pickup market.
Ford Is Expanding Its Vehicle Families
The planned Bronco pickup is part of a broader Ford strategy to turn its biggest nameplates into families of vehicles. Alongside the Bronco SUV and pickup, Ford is planning a four-door Mustang and a smaller Transit van. The F-Series lineup will also be expanded.
Recent reports indicate that the four-door Mustang could start at under $40,000 and has already been shown to dealers. It could also mark the return of a proper V8 muscle sedan, an increasingly rare sight in 2026, especially since Dodge no longer sells a V8-powered Charger.
Ford is expected to have refreshed 80% of its North American lineup by 2029. The company will also have five vehicles priced under $40,000 by the end of the decade, while adding a significantly higher number of hybrid and EV models by 2030.
What the Bronco Pickup Could Mean for Ford
Ford has an unmatched pickup lineup in the U.S., while the Bronco name is already well established. The arrival of a Bronco pickup would nevertheless raise questions about the future of the Ranger, since the new truck is expected to occupy the midsize segment as well.
One possibility is that the Ranger could be canceled. Another is that Ford could reposition it as a more premium midsize option while the Bronco pickup focuses on adventure-oriented buyers.
What is clear from Ford’s plans is that its lineup will look considerably different by the end of the decade. A more cost-effective EV range, new hybrids and a larger presence in the sub-$40,000 segment could significantly boost Ford’s market share in a few years.
