FORD Motor Company proudly celebrated its 100th anniversary in Australia last week, marking continued commitment that has seen the company becoming – and remaining – the largest automotive employer in the country.
Ford also looked to the future with the global reveal of the all-new Ranger Super Duty.
“For 100 years, Ford and Australia have grown together. Australia was one of the first markets we established outside North America. It was a key moment in making Ford truly global. It has been a centre of innovation, from the first truck or Ute, to the Falcon and Ranger, and always a pipeline of talent,” said Bill Ford, Executive Chair. “Ford Australia may be 100 years old, but the road ahead is what excites me the most. Built on ingenuity, determination, and world-class innovation, the team in Australia is not just shaping the future, they are redefining what is possible.”
Ranger Super Duty Revealed
Designed and developed in Australia, Ranger Super Duty made its global debut at Ford’s centenary celebrations, marking the first time Ford’s “Super Duty” name has been applied to any vehicle outside of North America.
Born from hundreds of hours of conversations and time spent with customers, Ranger Super Duty delivers a heavy-duty, heavy-hauling work vehicle to meet the needs of the most demanding customers in the most demanding environments. Ranger Super Duty’s work strengths also make it an ideal recreational vehicle capable of going a long way beyond the bitumen.
“We listened to what the hardest working fleet operators told us they needed to be more productive, and we’ve developed a Ranger with heavy-duty hardware and enhanced capability to stay on the job longer and help get it done sooner,” said Jim Baumbick, vice president, advanced product development, cycle planning and programs, Ford Motor Company.
“We are taking global midsize truck capability to a whole new level, straight from the factory.”
Listening to customers and creating vehicles that meet their needs traces all the way back to the 1930s, when an Aussie farmer sent a letter asking Ford to build a vehicle that could go to church on Sunday and take the pigs to market on Monday. The coupe-ute, was invented, demonstrating Aussie ingenuity and practicality Mr Baumbick said.
“There really is a direct link between the market desire for a vehicle like the Ranger Super Duty and the 1934 Lew Bandt ute.
“Customers told us they wanted something comfortable and safe, that could carry and tow more and go further off-road. And just look at it. It looks like it means business,” said Baumbick.
With a thicker, stronger chassis, front and rear locking differentials, heavy-duty axles, and stronger suspension, this truck is heavy-duty commercial grade but consumer friendly.
While Ranger Super Duty was born in Australia, it will be going around the world. Built at Ford’s AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) facility, Ranger Super Duty will go on sale in 2026 across Australia and New Zealand and Thailand. The product line-up and specs for these markets will be confirmed closer to introduction.
