A new report out of North America claims the name of Ford’s fresh-faced baby bakkie has been leaked.
According to The Fast Lane Truck, the Blue Oval brand’s upcoming small (sub-Ranger) bakkie will wear the “Maverick” badge.
The US-based publication says it received what appears to be a CAD (computer-aided design) drawing of the new pickup’s tailgate, which clearly shows the “Maverick” nameplate below a recess where the Ford badge would go. We’ve embedded the image below.
Maverick isn’t a new badge for Ford, with the company having used it on four different vehicles (across various markets) over the years. In addition, rumours from 2018 suggested the Maverick nameplate would be used on the “baby Bronco”, which we now know will actually be called Bronco Sport.
Earlier reports suggested the little unibody bakkie would wear either the Courier badge (which the brand again trademarked) or Ranchero name. Then, of course, there’s the possibility it could revive the Bantam nameplate if it makes its way to South Africa.
A separate report from late in April 2020 suggested the new bakkie would be offered with the same powertrains as the aforementioned Bronco Sport. According to MotorTrend, the Blue Oval brand’s new unibody bakkie will also feature styling inspired by both the larger Ranger and the new Bronco Sport, including an “upright, blocky front end”.
