The good news for Ford is both of its all-important new models – the Ranger ute and Everest SUV – have proven popular with Australian buyers. The bad news is, they may be too popular, with wait times for some variants stretching up to 10 months.
While the Ranger has been on sale for several weeks, the Everest has only just arrived but the popularity of the new V6 turbo-diesel engine has meant immediate demand. The wait time for the V6-powered Platinum and Sport models is already at nine months, with customers quoted delivery times of May 2023.
The same is true for the Ranger Wildtrak V6, with orders placed now unlikely to be filled until May. However, the Ranger Sport V6 is slightly better, with wait times in the region of five months.
Unfortunately, the wait for the Ranger Raptor is the longest of the lot, with customers who order in September told they will need to wait until June 2023 – 10 months – to take delivery.
While those wait times are already extensive, Ford is trying to be as transparent as possible with customers and has established a specific page of their website to provide rolling updates on availability of every model in the range.
There is an important caveat on the website though, with Ford noting that if “you place an order today… pricing and/or specifications may be different” by the time it arrives. However, it adds that the dealer will provide an updated price and specifications list “prior to signing a contract”.
It’s not all long waits either, with the Ranger and Everest models powered by the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine reportedly immediately available from dealers around the country.
A Ford spokesperson explained that the long wait times are a result of the on-going supply chain crisis that began during the global pandemic.
“Global semi-conductor and COVID-related supply chain challenges, combined with very high demand for certain variants, mean some customers will unfortunately face extended waits,” the spokesperson said.
“We’ve worked with our team to do everything possible to get as many Rangers, Ranger Raptors and Everests to customers as soon as we can.
“We fully understand that for customers waiting for their vehicle, a long wait can be frustrating. But we’ve worked hard to make sure the new levels of tech, capability and performance in the Next-Gen Ranger, Ranger Raptor and Everest mean they’ll be worth the wait.
“We’re committed to keeping customers updated on when their vehicle will arrive. Together with our dealer network, we will continue to share regular status updates with customers, and notify them personally when their vehicle is built, in-transit, and ready for delivery. We would like to thank you for your patience.”
As we have written previously, Ford is in a potentially precarious position with the Ranger and Everest accounting for up to 86 per cent of its total volume in Australia. That means any disruption to the on-going supply or if the delays turn-off buyers, it could have a major impact on the brand’s overall sales record for 2022.
However, the good news is the wait times are seemingly having little impact on interest in the car. The company recorded more than 4000 Ranger sales for August, its first full month on the market, and has more than 5000 pre-orders for the Ranger Raptor that need to be filled.
There is more good news for the Puma and Escape SUVs too, with the company reporting supply is increasing so the previously closed order books have re-opened with customers likely to begin receiving their vehicles in the final three months of the year.
Keyword: Ford Ranger and Everest wait times update! New ute and SUV already a sales hit for the Blue Oval, but how long is the line?