About: Auto Speed Market

FORD Ranger – Ford Ranger & Ford Ranger XLT

The Ford Ranger, code named T6, was unveiled at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. The T6 replaces two regional Ranger platforms: the Mazda BT-50-derived model sold in the Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions and the North American model sold in select Latin American markets.

Although the T6 Ranger will be offered in 180 markets globally, it is not currently planned to be sold in the United States or Canada, due to the new platform being too close in size and cost to the F-150, and due to overall declining sales of compact pickups in North America. However it is offered in the United Arab Emirates along side the F-150 and Super Duty.

Ford initially planned a mid-size truck based on a modified F-150 chassis for the North American market named the F-100; however, this was shelved in favour of offering the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine on the F-150. Additionally, American and Canadian safety and emissions standards as well as the long-standing 25% import tariff imposed on non-American built light trucks prevent the T6 Ranger from being imported into North America. Likewise, safety and emissions standards in ECE-compliant nations, the need for right-hand drive in certain international markets, and the physical size of the F-150 prevent it from being globalised.

Production is expected to commence in summer 2011, starting with Thailand’s Rayong plant, with production in South Africa and Argentina to follow.[6] Additionally, Mazda will build a badge-engineered version of the T6 as the second generation BT-50.