Ford Australia says it’ll put the incoming F-150 by its paces over 135,000km of torturous sturdiness exams right here, forward of the re-engineered truck’s native launch in 2023.
The USA’s top-selling car will lob right here in Australia in XLT and Lariat spec ranges utilizing a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 (US outputs are 294kW and 680Nm) with a 10-speed auto, in short- and long-wheelbase physique kinds.
The Blue Oval model’s Aussie outpost says check variations of the F-150 have now confronted temperatures of between -40 and +50 levels Celsius, trailer towing, mud, ultra-fine sand, water crossings, and corrosion exams.
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The large rig has additionally been pushed throughout Ford’s Silver Creek Highway sturdiness observe lots of of occasions, whereas extra of the world’s “most punishing roads” had been replicated within the laboratory at Ford Australia’s You Yangs Proving Floor – with the F-150’s driveline, steering, wheels and suspension punished on a Kinematic and Compliance rig.
Ford Australia retains a big analysis and improvement operation in Australia that oversees the worldwide Ranger and Everest initiatives, amongst others. The You Yangs proving floor is in Victoria’s west, close to the town of Geelong.
“When the F-150 hits Australian showrooms, prospects can relaxation assured it has been put by the identical native sturdiness program because the Subsequent-Technology Ranger and Everest which, in fact, is similar program left-hand drive F-150 went by within the States ,” stated Ford Australia Efficiency and Customization Chief Program Engineer Dave Burn.
“We have torture-tested, tuned and re-worked the right-hand drive F-150 in order that Aussie prospects know they’re getting the total manufacturing facility F-150 expertise. We’re doing every thing to verify the truck shall be proper at house right here in Australia.”
Since plans had been introduced to bring the F-150 to Australia in May this yearFord says it has been swamped with greater than 8000 expressions of curiosity and has taken “1000’s” of potential orders by sellers – regardless of pricing remaining underneath wraps.
Background
A model of the F-150 pickup truck remanufactured from left- to right-hand drive needs to be in native Ford showrooms by the center of 2023, at which level it will tackle the domestically re-engineered (to right-hand drive) RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
Ford makes no bones in regards to the reality robust Silverado and Ram gross sales are behind its choice to carry the F-Sequence again to Australia after nearly 20 years. Gross sales of full-sized American pickup vehicles have soared since 2018, and the Blue Oval would not need to miss out on the motion.
The F-150 shall be remanufactured to right-hand drive by RMA Automotive at a facility in Mickleham, Victoria. The automotive shall be backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, and shall be offered and serviced by the Ford Australia seller community.
Ford is clearly conscious of the F-150 Hybrid, RaptorV8, and many others Electric Lightning options. It hasn’t dominated out bringing them to Australia, however solely as soon as the remanufacturing course of is established and demand for the EcoBoost has been confirmed.
Rivals
Ram Vehicles Australia posted another record-breaking month in November – when it comes to each native right-hand drive remanufacturing, and retail gross sales.
Head of Ram Worldwide Bob Graczyk, who visited Melbourne recently to see the expanded manufacturing facility, stated demand had “utterly exceeded our expectations”.
The newly expanded Melbourne Manufacturing Facility – run by Walkinshaw – tasked with re-engineering Rams to right-hand drive, pumped out 900 of the model’s pickups in November.
Yr-to-date, Ram vehicles have offered 5520 autos (up 54.Three per cent) placing it on observe to eclipse 6000 for the 12 months. This YTD tally locations it forward of the likes of Hino and Land Rover, whereas its November outcome positioned it forward of Jeep, a fellow Stellantis model.
Over the identical interval, rival Chevrolet – offered by Normal Motors Particular Autos (GMSV) and transformed at another newly-opened Walkinshaw facility in Melbourne – has delivered 2045 Silverados.
GMSV has notched up 5000 Chevrolet Silverado right-hand drive conversions for Australian and New Zealand consumers after two years – and expects a “vital improve” in throughput going ahead as demand for American pickups explodes.
Given Ram and Chevy’s success and Ford’s large plans, different rivals are leaping into the fray. Toyota Australia has a plan to sell locally re-engineered Tundras right here within the close to future, with their point-of-difference being the hybrid engine.
The venture to domestically re-engineer Tundras to right-hand drive (they’re solely made on the American manufacturing facility in left-hand drive) is a world-first for Toyota, and if all goes to plan will give the corporate’s native division one thing to sit down above the HiLux and Land Cruiser 300 Series.
