The first-generation Bronco is built upon a chassis developed specifically for the model range, shared with no other Ford or Lincoln-Mercury vehicle. Initially selling well, following the introduction of the Chevrolet Blazer, Jeep Cherokee, and International Scout II (from 1969 to 1974), demand shifted towards SUVs with better on-road capability, leading to a decline in demand for the Bronco. Today a compact SUV in terms of size, Ford marketing shows a very early example of promoting a civilian off-roader as a 'Sports Utility' (the two-door pickup version). Developed as an off-road vehicle (ORV), the Bronco was intended as a competitor for the Jeep CJ-5, International Harvester Scout and Toyota Land Cruiser. Axelrad, with Lee Iacocca approving the final model for production in February 1964, after the first clay models were built in mid-1963. Frey in the early 1960s (who also conceived the Ford Mustang) and engineered by Ford engineer Paul G. The idea behind the Bronco began with Ford product manager Donald N. 7.8 2013 Expedition 'special edition” concept.After a 25-year hiatus, the sixth-generation Bronco is now for the first time a mid-size two-door SUV, also offered as a 16 in (41 cm) longer wheelbase, full-size four-door, competing directly with the Jeep Wrangler as both a two-door and a four-door (hardtop) convertible.įrom 1965 to 1996, the Ford Bronco was manufactured by Ford at its Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan, where it will also manufacture the sixth-generation version. For 1978, Ford enlarged the Bronco, making it a short-wheelbase version of the F-Series pickup truck the full-size Bronco competed against the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and Dodge Ramcharger.įollowing a decline in demand for large two-door SUVs, Ford discontinued the Bronco after the 1996 model year, replacing it with the four-door Ford Expedition followed by the larger Ford Excursion. Originally developed as a compact off-road vehicle using its own chassis, the Bronco initially competed against the Jeep CJ-5 and International Harvester Scout. The nameplate has been used on other Ford SUVs, namely the 1984–1990 Bronco II compact SUV and the 2021 Bronco Sport compact crossover. A sixth generation of the model line is sold from the 2021 model year. The first SUV model developed by the company, five generations of the Bronco were sold from the 1966 to 1996 model years. The Ford Bronco is a model line of sport utility vehicles manufactured and marketed by Ford.

Gord bronco