Ford News

Could an SUV top the sales charts in Australia for the first time ever this year?

So you want to have the biggest ute on the road? You’ll have to pay for it.  Just like here in Australia, the best-selling vehicles in the United States are pick-up trucks. In their case, it’s the home-brewed Ford F-150 and has been for over 40 years. In Australia the F-truck’s Ford Ranger cousin will take top honours this year. 

The Toyota RAV4 hybrid topped sales charts again in November, but it isn’t likely to take the number one spot from the Ford Ranger this year.

Ford officially declares the Puma Gen-E won't be coming to Australia.

Ford has announced it will add a plug-in hybrid variant to its Transit Custom lineup as it officially scraps plans to introduce the Puma Gen-E.Poised to arrive in Australia in Q3 2025, Ford Australia said the introduction of an additional plug-in hybrid variant is a part of its broader plans to further electrify its commercial lineup.“Ford Australia remains fully committed to offering low- or zero-emissions vehicles to Australians, particularly in the commercial sector,” said Marketing Director of Ford Australia, Ambrose Henderson.“While much focus has been put on electrifying vehicles favoured by private buyers, it’s also vital that Australia’s businesses are not left behind in the electric transition.”Set to line up alongside the electric E-Transit Custom, E-Transit and future plug-in hybrid Ranger PHEV, the E-Transit PHEV will carry a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to a 11.6kWh battery pack.Exact range figures are yet to be confirmed, however, Ford said it is targeting a WLTP-rated pure electric range of 40km, which it believes will be sufficient enough for most urban journeys.“The addition of the PHEV to our local Transit Custom line-up means customers are able to conduct their shorter, inner urban, style trips on electric only power, with the freedom to make longer rural trips quickly and easily when required,” said Myles Hartley, General Manager of Electric Vehicles at Ford Australia.As with the current 2.0-litre diesel variant, the Transit Custom PHEV will be offered in both the short-wheelbase Sport and long-wheelbase Trend variants, though it won't be offered as a dual-cab.It will also be built on the same platform as the second-generation Transit Custom, which Ford released locally earlier this year. It delivered a suite of interior and exterior design and technology upgrades, as well as independent link suspension, which Ford said improved ergonomics and ride performance.Full pricing and specifications of the Transit Custom PHEV are expected closer to its launch date next year.

Last week, Ford dropped a bombshell by announcing the Ranger Super Duty line of tough workhorse utes. This week, we’ve learned that it will incorporate the big North American-market F-250 Super Duty’s eight-stud, steel wheel and all-terrain tyre package.

Here are a few of our favourite special-edition and/or unique ute grades denied to Australian buyers.

A mid-week press release from Ford citing in-house research that showed "sixty percent of Australian drivers would be more likely to buy an electrified vehicle if it offered greater towing capability" – before highlighting the Ranger PHEV's 3.5-tonne towing capacity – didn't go unnoticed at BYD's Australian offices, with one executive suggesting the move proved the Shark 6 has the Blue Oval rattle

Ford needs a less expensive model under the Ranger and Everest, that buyers want, preferably to operate in a segment that is not saturated with rivals, while offering a far-more economical powertrain than a diesel engine in order to meet increasingly stringent NVES regulations. To paraphrase one of the company’s most successful-ever advertising campaigns, the Ford Maverick is the answer.

Ford has announced its strongest and most capable Ranger yet in the shape of the new Super Duty line-up. While little has been revealed for now, since sales won’t commence until 2026, Ford has confirmed a breakthrough 4500kg towing capacity, as well as 4500kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and 8000kg Gross Combined Mass (GCM) ratings.