FORD AUSTRALIA IS DELIVERING ON THE DREAMS of truck enthusiasts with today’s announcement that the legendary F-150 will arrive in Australia by mid-2023, through a right-hand drive, local remanufacturing program with RMA Automotive Holdings Pty Ltd.
Ford Australia has engaged RMA Automotive to give Australian consumers access to America’s best-selling vehicle, with the convenience of a nationwide dealer network and the peace of mind of a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
The F-150, a part of Ford F-Series, has earned its stripes as part of America’s top-selling truck line thanks to its exceptional performance, towing, cargo capacity, safety and technology. It’s built to work hard, and play harder, and will suit Australian customers who want Ford’s biggest, boldest, most capable pick-up, giving them the freedom to live life exactly the way they want to.
“We’ve listened hard to fans and dealers and found a way to bring F-150 to Australia. As the pinnacle of ‘Built Ford Tough’, it will give our customers even more choice when they’re in the market for a pick-up. We just can’t wait to unleash it,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand.
“F-150 has been part of F-Series, America’s best-selling vehicle line for the past 40 years, with more than 40 million F-Series Trucks produced to date. With such a local fan base, and with full-size truck sales in Australia tripling in recent years, we just knew we had to find a way to bring it back to Australia.”
Leading the only Ford program of its kind globally, Ford Australia has engaged engineering specialist RMA Automotive to remanufacture Australian-delivered F-150s to right-hand drive, meeting all applicable Australian Design Rules and safety regulations. F-150 will be available alongside the full Ford vehicle range throughout Ford’s nationwide dealer network.
America’s favourite truck – now it’s Australia’s turn
Ford’s F-Series – with F-150 – has led the full-size truck class for more than four decades, and are the trucks of choice for anyone that wants the best tool for job, whether for work or play.
With Ranger’s position as Australia’s best-selling 4×4, Ford Australia’s strength in commercial vehicles is clear, but customers have also been vocal about their desire to see F-150 in local dealerships. It was this feedback, and the growth of the full-size truck segment in Australia, that has led to the return of F-150 to the Australian market.
“Whenever I speak to our dealers, they tell me that customers consistently ask about F-150, ask when it is coming, so I am very proud to now be able to say it’s heading our way,” said Birkic. “There are just so many passionate F-150 fans out there and we’re all thrilled to be able to bring this iconic truck to our roads with locally remanufactured right hand drive models.”
“With the introduction of F-150, alongside our Ranger line-up, Ford’s comprehensive pick-up truck range will offer a vehicle for every situation.”
Local Engineering Expertise
Ford Australia’s product development team – the same team that brought the Next-Generation Ranger and Everest to the world – has played a key role in bringing the F-150 to Australia.
Working in conjunction with their US counterparts, Ford Australia’s product development engineers will collaborate with RMA Automotive to ensure a seamless ‘Built Ford Tough’ conversion, with the quality and reliability that has come to be expected of Ford’s commercial vehicles.
RMA Automotive has more than 30 years of engineering expertise, and is considered one of the world’s leading suppliers of modified vehicles, with over 100,000 modified Ford vehicles delivered globally to date. As a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM), Ford’s relationship with RMA dates back to 1997, with projects in markets from Europe and North America, to Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
Remanufacturing of the vehicles from left-hand drive to right-hand drive will take place in an RMA Automotive-leased facility at the Merrifield Business Park in Mickleham, north of Melbourne. Located in the same precinct as Ford’s new parts supply and logistics hub, and close to Ford’s engineering head office in Campbellfield, engineers from Ford and RMA will collaborate to ensure the vehicles are remanufactured to Ford’s high standards.
Brains and Brawn
Australian-delivered F-150 models will be offered exclusively with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine and 10-speed transmission, delivering 298Kw of power and 678Nm of torque. Offered in a Crew Cab body style, F-150 customers will be able to enjoy the ultimate in capability and functionality.
More US customers choose the EcoBoost V6 than any other F-150 engine, and that powertrain will make F-150 one of the most powerful, and most capable, full-size pick-ups available in Australia.
“When we began looking at F-150 for an Australian return, there was one engine that stood out for us – the 3.5L EcoBoost, which gives F-150 immense power and torque, more than many of its V8 competitors,” said Natalie Manariti, Ford Australia’s Global Trucks Enterprise Product Line Manager.
“F-150 is an audacious vehicle for customers that don’t want to be restricted or limited, so we are bringing the best of the best with the 3.5L EcoBoost.”
F-150 also comes fully loaded with tech and safety features, with smart innovations that offer customers ultimate convenience. All F-150 models come standard with Ford SYNC4, Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping System, Rear View Camera, Auto High Beams, Reverse Brake Assist, Reverse Sensing System and Post-Collision Braking.
“The suite of productivity and safety technology included in F-150 will bring a whole new level of sophistication and ability to the full-size pick-up segment,” said Manariti.
“It’s smart, as well as tough and powerful. The F-150 is purpose-built to be the toughest, most productive F-150 ever, and raises the standard for all trucks.”
With 4.5 tonne towing,F-150 offers incredible flexibility for those looking for the ultimate truck for both work and play – whether that means towing a boat, quadbikes, a small excavator, or anything in between.
Just the beginning
“The F-150 is part of a new wave of Ford vehicles for our Australian customers,” said Birkic. “We’re listening to customers and breaking down barriers to give them what they want – the best of our global line-up. There’s more where F-150 came from.”
Further specifications and pricing will be shared closer to launch in mid-2023.