Ford Maverick: baby ute to sit under Ford Ranger

Brash American-style pick-ups have become increasingly popular in Australia. Now carmakers are looking to create a new niche in the market.

Carmakers are considering compact utes similar to Brazil’s Volkswagen Saveiro as an alternative to compact cars.

Car makers are investing in a new breed of baby ute, potentially giving budget-minded customers a cheaper alternative to the likes of the popular Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

The new models will be based on car underpinnings rather than the rugged “ladder on frame” design favoured for work utes.

Leaked slides from a presentation by Ford to investors show the Blue Oval plans to put a new machine into production next year.

The ute, which could be called the Maverick, will be based on the Focus hatchback.

Ford's "Whitespace", shown bottom right on a company presentation, is believed to be the new "Maverick" ute.

The slide refers to a “Whitespace” vehicle that will fill a perceived void in the market.

The model would be similar in ethos to compact utes such as the once-popular but now defunct Holden and Falcon utes — a smaller, lifestyle-oriented vehicle that drives like a car.

Ford has reserved the “Maverick” name for an upcoming model — a moniker previously used in Australia and abroad.

Ford’s new truck isn’t to be confused with Tom Cruise’s character in Top Gun: Maverick, though owners might take a highway to the danger zone.

Automotive News published a report in March claiming a handful of Ford dealers had already seen the new model, which will be built in Mexico.

Similar models are common in Latin America.

Volkswagen’s Brazilian outpost has a hit on its hands in the Saveiro, a tray-back version of the Brazilian-built Volkswagen Gol hatchback (not to be confused with the Golf).

Likewise, Fiat’s Strada is a top-10 best-seller in Brazil.

Fiat's Strada ute could make it to the US under the RAM brand.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ RAM Trucks is set to rebadge the four-cylinder Strada as the RAM 700, and US outlets such as Muscle Cars and Trucks are reporting that the RAM 700 could go to America and beyond to take on the likes of Ford’s Maverick.

Such models are by no means guaranteed to come to Australia.

Ford’s local arm has missed out on a handful of recent models including the new Bronco four-wheel-drive, Mustang Mach-E electric car, Mustang GT 500 coupe and Ford GT supercar, which are only offered in left-hand-drive.

Ford’s F-150 Raptor is also off-limits to Australia.

But, given Australia’s love of utes and the success of Ford’s risky decision to build the popular Mustang in right-hand-drive, the Maverick might get a run in local showrooms.

Hyundai’s Australian arm is also interested in the production version of the Santa Cruz pick-up originally shown in concept form at the 2015 Detroit motor show.

Hyundai’s Santa Cruz concept pick-up broke cover in January 2015.

Tipped to share its platform and engines with the Santa Fe SUV, Hyundai’s upcoming ute is set to go on sale in the US next year as a lighter, softer alternative to American-style “trucks”.

Again, right-hand-drive production of the car has not been confirmed. But as with Ford, Hyundai’s local arm will be keen to get a new ute on the menu.