Ford Bronco ute reportedly in the works as Jeep Gladiator rival

Ford is reportedly developing a Bronco-based ute that could go head-to-head with the Jeep Gladiator, according to a report first published by Automotive News (↗).

The report, which cites people familiar with Ford’s future product plans, suggests the pick-up could enter production towards the end of the decade. Ford has not confirmed the project or released any specifications.

The reported ute is expected to be built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, which currently produces the North American-market Bronco and Ranger. That could see Ranger production move elsewhere in the US, with reports indicating the next-generation Ranger could instead be built at Ford’s BlueOval City complex in Tennessee.

The change has prompted speculation that the Bronco ute could replace the Ranger in Ford’s North American line-up. However, that does not mean the Ranger is being phased out globally. Australia’s Ranger is built primarily in Thailand, while Ranger PHEV production is based in South Africa, meaning any change to Ford’s North American production strategy would not directly affect Australian Ranger supply.

The Bronco ute would give Ford a more recreationally focused alternative to the Ranger, with the Jeep Gladiator its most obvious competitor.

The existing Bronco shares Ford’s T6 architecture with the Ranger and Everest, making a connection between the vehicles technically plausible. However, Ford has not confirmed whether the reported pick-up would use the same architecture or what hardware would sit underneath it.

There are currently no confirmed details on engines, transmissions, suspension, payload, towing capacity or dimensions. Ford has previously explored the idea of a Bronco ute. An earlier program was reportedly cancelled in 2021 before reaching production, meaning the latest reports represent a revival of a concept Ford has already considered.

The reported pick-up would also form part of a broader expansion of the Bronco nameplate. A hybrid Bronco SUV is expected to join the North American range around 2027, with Ford looking to broaden the model family beyond its existing SUV variants.

There is no confirmation yet that the reported Bronco ute will come to Australia. Ford has been exploring opportunities to expand the Bronco nameplate into right-hand-drive markets, but the pick-up currently appears to be a North American-focused program.

If it reaches production, the Bronco ute would give Ford a factory-built rival to the Gladiator while allowing the Ranger to continue serving as the brand’s mainstream mid-size pick-up.

For now, the reported 2029-30 timeframe remains the clearest indication of when the Bronco ute could arrive, with Ford yet to officially confirm the model.