Ford’s Ranger Super Duty is hitting Australian roads ahead of schedule, a direct result of heeding customer demands for a mid-size truck capable of heavy lifting. According to Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand, the genesis of this model came from a conversation six years ago with a major Australian fleet customer. The core issue? The costly and time-consuming modifications needed to make existing trucks suitable for the demands of their work.
The solution was clear: a robust mid-size truck capable of hauling nearly 2 tonnes of payload and towing up to 4.5 tonnes, all while maintaining serious off-road capability and backed by a full factory warranty. This was a void in the Australian market that Ford aimed to fill.
According to Ford, the decision to apply the ‘Super Duty’ badge, typically reserved for the North American F-Series, wasn’t taken lightly, but they say the Ranger Super Duty has earned it through enhanced capability. Recent testing involved putting prototype Ranger Super Duty models in the hands of Australian dealers, farmers, mechanics, construction companies, and mining teams to gather real-world feedback. The consistent message was that the vehicle is a ‘game changer’.
The Ranger Super Duty arrives with:
- Payload capacity: Close to 2 tonnes
- Towing capacity: Up to 4.5 tonnes
- Target market: Heavy duty customers needing a mid-size truck
Community discussions echo the excitement, with forum members discussing its potential to ‘submerge the competition’. One thing is clear: the Ranger Super Duty aims to make a significant impact on the Australian automotive landscape, providing a factory-backed solution for demanding jobs. It will be interesting to see how it stacks up against established rivals, such as the Toyota Hilux, in terms of aftermarket support and customization options, with companies like ARB offering a wide array of products.