With Fiat not expected to re-launch the Strada back into the country anytime soon and Volkswagen still refusing to confirm whether the Saveiro would arrive at some stage, it, therefore, presents an opportunity for Ford to enter the segment with a replacement for the Bantam that ended production seven years ago.

The latest rendering by Brazilian automotive artist Kleber Silva, therefore, paints an interesting picture of what a modern half-ton Blue Oval half-ton pick-up could like to challenge the NP200 as well as the segment dominating Strada, Saveiro and the Utility's Latin derivate, the Chevrolet Montana, in South America.

Unlike the Bantam which first used the Ford Escort as a base followed by the Mazda 323 and then the Fiesta, the render uses the recently launched Figo derived Freestyle as a starting point, with a side profile heavily influenced by the Strada and a rear clip featuring a swoopy tailgate and lights taken from the Figo sedan.

Sadly, Ford seems unlikely to return to the half-ton segment even in South America, hence don't expect the production-ready depictions to become a reality anytime soon.