There are some pretty persistant rumors that that will be the next-generation Ranger in the US, but I haven't heard anything solid and it will probably just have the ecoboost 4cyl instead of the diesel people want.

As far as LUV/Courier/D50 are concerned, they actually only cost a few hundred less than a full size pickup, and in some cases cost more. The appeal was for commuters who needed a pickup occasionally, and could trade off hauling capacity for parking space and fuel economy (although the F100 Economy of 81-82 was actually rated at 30mpg, while the 81-82 Courier was rated at 29-31).