a ranger ev? internal combustion still the right choice for most customers, says ford

Photos / David Linklater, supplied

Ford’s global executives have reaffirmed that the Blue Oval doesn’t just intended to persist with diesel and petrol-powered Rangers in its International Markets Group (which includes New Zealand) in the years ahead – it’s also actively looking for opportunities to expand Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) technology.

IMG includes nearly 100 countries, including NZ, Australia, Africa, ASEAN, India, Mexico, the Middle East and South Korea, as well as a number of “emerging” markets around the world.

a ranger ev? internal combustion still the right choice for most customers, says ford

While Ford is committed to a third of its global production being EVs by the end of 2023 (600,000 per year, made up of F-150 Lightning, e-Transit and Mach-E, all pictured above), the company’s business model still has ICE at its core.

Of the three separate product planning divisions within Ford – Blue (ICE), Model e (EV) and Pro (commercials), it’s ICE that is still arguably the most important.

“The vast majority of our business spending is still in ICE,” says Trevor Worthington, vice president of ICE programmes. “It’s incredibly important to us, and even markets that are transitioning quite quickly to BEV are still reliant on an underpinning of ICE vehicles”.

Ford says ICE is crucial not just to meet customer wants/needs, but because the revenue from ICE is helping fund its US$50 billion investment in EVs. If there’s no ICE, there’s no EV.

a ranger ev? internal combustion still the right choice for most customers, says ford

Worthington says that beyond 2027/28, half of the ICE vehicles sold by Ford globally will be to those IMG markets outside the US, Europe and China, which still suit ICE.

“That’s why it’s incredibly important to grow and nurture vehicles like Ranger/Everest, because they’re the vehicles that play in those spaces,” says Worthington.

“The anchor for the money that we make in the US is F-series/Explorer; the money we make in Europe is from Transit; but the money we make in IMG is primarily Ranger/Everest. These are very important customers.”

a ranger ev? internal combustion still the right choice for most customers, says ford

While there are moves to ban the sale of ICE vehicles in Europe and the UK in the next decade, Worthington says combustion engines will continue for many IMG markets well beyond 2030.

His comments may resonate with many ute-driving Kiwis: “The point is that there’s going to be a need for the ICE business, because ICE customers have unique requirements, whether that’s off-road, whether it’s family travel over long distances, whether it’s commercial vehicles that need to tow at higher speeds.

“There are also the effects of government policy incentives, or the cost of fuel, that mean some markets will go much more quickly towards electrification and some are just going to take longer.

a ranger ev? internal combustion still the right choice for most customers, says ford

“They can’t all turn on a dime because different markets have different views and incentives. For a lot of customers, the choice will still be an ICE vehicle”.

Worthington says that Ford’s ICE division is “about growth, it’s not about defending”. Ford is still looking for “unmet needs” from its ICE customers via the Blue division, which may have gone unnoticed in the past because “we were broadly focused on too much”.

The development of the Ranger Raptor is cited as a prime example of Ford seizing this kind of opportunity: “With Ranger generation-one we didn’t have a global market for Raptor,” says Worthington. “What we worked on was – what’s the incremental opportunity?

a ranger ev? internal combustion still the right choice for most customers, says ford

“We never had a big-six luxury/performance feel, and that’s an example where we delivered on unmet needs. We go through that thought process every single day.”

It’s well-known that the latest Ranger has been engineered for electrification, with the longer wheelbase and wider tracks opening up diverse powertrain possibilities. Plug-in versions have been spotted testing. But that doesn’t mean it’s making a massive rush towards EV power right now.

When that happens will depend on what customers want and what they are prepared to pay, says Worthington.

“Ranger is sold in 180 markets; it’s the most diverse product we sell. The thing we’ve tried to do differently with it is ask customers what our priorities should be.

“What we try to do is create vehicles and future-proof the alternatives. If the future is PHEV or BEV or, heaven forbid, something else – hydrogen or rocket fuel – we’ve got the architecture to respond to customer needs.

“I don’t know what the path is. I know the stuff we’re working on, of course… but I can’t tell you that.”

The catalyst for large-scale production of a plug-in Ranger may come not from Clean Car legislation in a tiny nation at the bottom of the world, but with Europe’s introduction of Euro 7 emissions regulations in 2025, which works towards effectively outlawing ICE. Ranger remains Europe’s best-selling ute, business that’s also “incredibly important to us,” says Worthington.

Keyword: A Ranger EV? Internal combustion still the right choice for most customers, says Ford

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Here's How The Ford Ranger Raptor's Fox Shocks Make It A Great Off-Roader

There are multiple drive modes, and each one tweaks the dampers for different purpose.

View more: Here's How The Ford Ranger Raptor's Fox Shocks Make It A Great Off-Roader

Crawford moves to DAMS, Hadjar and Marti join Campos

Isack Hadjar (FRA) Red Bull Junior Driver. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Thursday 21st September 2023. Suzuka, Japan. Jak Crawford will move to DAMS for the 2024 Formula 2 season while Red Bull juniors Isack Hadjar and Pepe Marti will compete for Campos. Crawford finished ...

View more: Crawford moves to DAMS, Hadjar and Marti join Campos

Ford Robbed Us Of The Old Four-Door Ranger Because It Wanted To Sell Explorers

Photo: Ford By definition, a big truck like a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado struggles to be small. Even in its smallest, most trucky configuration — a two-door single cab — a full-size truck is relatively large and comes with a sizable bed for hauling cargo. But a small ...

View more: Ford Robbed Us Of The Old Four-Door Ranger Because It Wanted To Sell Explorers

Ford loses nearly 400 participants from its EV dealer program

After asking its dealers to join it “on an epic journey of sustainable expansion,” Ford revealed over two-thirds of its dealers joined almost a year ago. However, close to 400 dealers have dropped out of the program since then. Ford asked its dealership network to become a part of ...

View more: Ford loses nearly 400 participants from its EV dealer program

Planned Three-Year Cruise Canceled At The Last Minute Because The Company Couldn't Afford To Buy A Ship

Image: GreenOak (Shutterstock) A cruise that was set to sail around the world for three years has been abruptly canceled at the last minute. The reason? The company behind the cruise couldn’t afford to buy a ship in time, as CNN reports. Life at Sea Cruises, a division of ...

View more: Planned Three-Year Cruise Canceled At The Last Minute Because The Company Couldn't Afford To Buy A Ship

Volkswagen Is Developing Affordable EVs, But Only For China

24 May 2023, Saxony, Zwickau: A model of the new-generation ID.3 is assembled at Volkswagen’s plant in Zwickau. Following the start of production in 2019, the vehicle has now received a facelift as part of the model mint. Image: Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance (Getty Images) After Chinese automaker BYD dethroned ...

View more: Volkswagen Is Developing Affordable EVs, But Only For China

This 2024 Ford Mustang GT Only Survived 16 Miles Before Being Crashed

There's heavy damage on the rear of the car, but the 5.0-liter V8 is listed as still running.

View more: This 2024 Ford Mustang GT Only Survived 16 Miles Before Being Crashed

Let This Lancia Stratos Replica Be Your Affordable Key To Rally Greatness

This auction is a realistic way to have a street-legal rally icon parked in your driveway.

View more: Let This Lancia Stratos Replica Be Your Affordable Key To Rally Greatness

At $27,500, Is This 2008 Ford F450 Super Duty A Super Big Deal?

Can you tow with a Ford Everest Wildtrak?

1962 Ford Falcon | Old Car

Ford patents inflatable bumpers for its large SUVs & pickups

Ford Figo: Weird noise when the ignition is on worries me

Ford Taurus, Dodge Caravan Live Again In 1995 Detroit Auto Show Retro Video

Next-gen Ford Mustang – The competitors at R1.5 million

At $9,000, Would This 1976 Ford Granada Ghia Put You Back In Black?

2.0L Bi-Turbo or 3.0L V6 – The most popular engine for the Ford Ranger Wildtrak in South Africa

Ford Mustang GT3 Looks Fast, Sounds Like Thunder In Track Test Video

Road-Trip Review: 2023 Ford Everest 3.0 V6 4WD Platinum

Here’s How An Affordable Chinese-Made EV Holds Up After 100,000 Miles

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel