Ford New Zealand launched its next-generation Ranger this week, with the group confirming that the nameplate’s new V6 powertrain is already a sales success.
The brand’s managing director Simon Rutherford confirmed that V6 models and Raptors combined account for more than half of the Rangers ordered so far.
Overall, the brand has taken 5000 formal Ranger orders thus far. For reference, 12,580 Rangers were sold in New Zealand last year.
Demand in the Raptor has grown significantly relative to the launch of the outgoing model. Rutherford said that 691 orders to the new Raptor’s name amount to 16% of total orders. At the same phase of its roll-out, Rutherford said the outgoing Raptor’s orders only made up 6% of the mix.
The brand reportedly fielded strong initial interest in the model from customers, before a second wave of orders came following first demonstrator test drives.
Currently, the waiting list for Wildtrak V6s and Raptors extends into next year. Those wanting to secure a V6 this year could order a Sport variant; the brand stating that Sport V6 orders could be delivered in late 2022.
The Ranger’s SUV cousin, the Everest, has 370 ‘firm’ orders to its name ahead of its planned launch in Q4. Ford New Zealand has already sold out its allocation of Everest Platinum flagships for the rest of 2022.
The Ranger and Everest form part of an extensive shift in line-up at Ford over the next few years, as the brand aims to electrify a large percentage of its fleet.
The new Focus and Puma mild hybrid pair have just landed in the country, with the Escape ‘full hybrid’ to follow in Q4. The brand has also been working to shore up its supply of Escape plug-in hybrids.
Once the Escape full hybrid arrives, Ford New Zealand is set to phase out the nameplate’s pure internal combustion variants.
Meanwhile, Ford is currently running out its existing Transit PHEV line-up in preparation for new electrified Transits to arrive. The E-Transit Cargo will launch in Q4 of this year, with the E-Transit Custom to arrive in 2024. The Mustang Mach-E splits the difference, arriving in Q2 of 2023.
Ford New Zealand is actively monitoring the work Ford Europe is doing with Volkswagen’s ‘MEB’ platform, too, which could lead to more EVs joining its line-up down under. It’s expected that the brand’s first MEB-based EVs will be a pair of crossovers similar to the Volkswagen ID.4.
