--- title: "This American Company Wants to Build Job Site Trucks on Top of Ford Rangers" date: "2026-11-08" modified: "2026-11-08" authors: - name: "Stephen Edelstein" job_title: "Weekend Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/stephen-edelstein.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-american-company-wants-to-build-job-site-trucks-on-top-of-ford-rangers" categories: - "News" - "Trucks" tags: - "Ford" - "Ranger" --- # This American Company Wants to Build Job Site Trucks on Top of Ford Rangers ![Tomo truck]() *\Tomo Trucks via Facebook\* While [General Motors]() apparently [didn't get the memo](), basic trucks are back in style. [Slate]() and [Ford]() both believe the time is right for a no-frills compact electric pickup, but even these trucks rely on fresh engineering and are aimed at retail as well as fleet buyers. Another company is planning something even more basic by focusing solely on the commercial market. Based in Roanoke, Virginia, Tomo Trucks wants to sell a compact truck based on the [Ford Ranger]() that seems perfect for job sites and little else. The unnamed truck has a flat five-foot steel bed and an open-sided cab unburdened by creature comforts. The cab is made from "bio-based" composite materials, according to the company. Both it and the bed are plopped onto the bare chassis with no other bodywork. It reminds me a bit of how luxury automakers used to sell bare chassis with a steering wheel and pedals attached, assuming the buyer would [fit their own coachwork](). ![Tomo truck]() *Tomo Trucks via Facebook* ![Tomo truck]() *Tomo Trucks via Facebook* Tomo's online presence is as minimal as its truck. All the information we have on it comes from a [Facebook post](), while the company's [website]() is just a Google Form with two questions: budget and preferred platform. Interestingly, the form includes options for a gasoline or electric Ranger, V8-powered F-150, and Super Duty diesel. Perhaps Tomo is trying to gauge interest in bigger, more capable options once it gets the initial Ranger-based truck across the line. Tomo plans to deliver its first customer trucks in the 2027 calendar year, which seems pretty ambitious given that the truck the company is showing now is only a prototype. The startup also isn't discussing production volumes, but Roanoke is located far from existing industry supply chains, so this truck may be of the small-batch variety. Tomo does claim an association with [Greenlander](), a European adventure RV conversion company that uses eco-friendly materials. ![Tomo truck]() *Tomo Trucks via Facebook* Also unclear is how Tomo chose the Ranger as the basis for its truck. Nothing against Ford, but if the company wanted to use an American pickup as a starting point, it could have also gone with the [Chevrolet]() Colorado or GMC Canyon. Perhaps it was a matter of cost, or the availability of spare chassis for conversion. At any rate, using an existing chassis is a smart move not just from a development standpoint, but because it makes use of existing parts supplies that owners can rely on. I admire Tomo's commitment to minimalism. Like all products of automotive startups, it's best to take the company's claims with a tablespoon of salt. After so many failures to deliver, it wouldn't even be surprising if Tomo became another [Lordstown]() or [Bollinger Motors](). Still, I hope at least a few of these trucks get built. They'll make excellent props for a low-budget sci-fi show. ## Author Stephen has always been passionate about cars, and managed to turn that passion into a career as a freelance automotive journalist. When he's not handling weekend coverage for The Drive, you can find him looking for a new book to read. ### Author social links [Twitter]() ## More - [The APG Ford Ranger ProRunner Is a Better Ranger Raptor (That You Can Actually Buy)]() - [Electric Ford Ranger, Maverick Lightning Could Be Coming, Trademarks Suggest]() - [The Already-Old Ford Ranger Platform Won’t Go Away Until Next Decade: Report]() - [2024 Ford Ranger Arrives in US With New Look, More Engines, 405-HP Raptor Trim]() - [This Old John Deere-Powered Ford Ranger Service Truck Will Outlast Us All]() - [Next-Gen Ford Ranger Pickup: Here’s Your First Official Look]() - [Two-Headed Ford Ranger Rally Truck Proves You Can Do a Lot With Three Days and $500]() - [Some Turkey Just Paid $23,000 for a 2001 Ford Ranger]()