The Ford Ranger continues to be an in-demand truck in the Asia Pacific region, selling over 40,600 units for 2014’s first half. The Ford Motor Company reported that this 16 percent year-over-year improvement ranked the region as one of the top markets for the Ranger one-ton pickup truck.
“More and more consumers across the region and across the world are choosing Ford Ranger,” said Dave Schoch, president, Ford Asia Pacific. “The award-winning truck is a global vehicle designed and engineered by our talented team in Asia Pacific to serve the demand of customers in 185 countries globally.”
“Ford Ranger has proven itself as the toughest and smartest truck that the customers can count on,” said Schoch. “This is especially true in Asia Pacific where Ranger is durable enough for customers who use it for construction and agriculture, while still being comfortable and safe enough to take the family on a road trip.”
The Ranger was the second best-selling pickup truck in Australia and New Zealand with a 27 percent increase year-over-year from January to June. All in all, 16,200 Rangers were sold, led by June sales of 3,800 units which is a 39 percent increase for the month.
“The strong demand for Ranger, specifically XLT and WildTrak models, has been driving Ranger’s success. Australian and New Zealand customers, both individual customers and small businesses love its robustness, design and engine lineup,” said Bob Graziano, President and CEO, Ford Australia.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN region had the Ford Ranger as its best-selling vehicle there, with a 9 percent increase year-over-year for a total sales of 22,000 units. It’s the pickup of choice in Vietnam, and is among the segment leaders in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Sales in Vietnam increased double-and-a-half for 1,650 Ranger shipments. For Malaysia, the Ranger saw a 43 percent increase in units sold for a record first half performance of 3,667 units. Meanwhile, the demand for the Ranger in Thailand is offsetting the effects of their automotive industry’s dry spell, with 12,425 vehicles sold for the year’s first half.
In our country, the Ranger is one of the top reasons for a record-best half-year performance with 3,280 units or a 64 percent increase year-over-year. With three new variants of the pickup truck locally available, customers have more choices when it comes to their hauling needs.
Ford’s Asia Pacific Emerging Markets unit which has home bases in 22 fast-growing economies saw 2,170 Rangers sold, a 20 percent improvement.
“Our customers throughout ASEAN appreciate the Ranger’s versatility, durability and all-purpose practicality,” said Matt Bradley, president, Ford ASEAN. “Its distinctive styling, car-like comfort, and powerful yet fuel efficient engine are also helping drive the Ranger’s widening appeal to so many customers.”
Demand for these Rangers are being met with manufacturing facilities in three strategic locations: the company’s AutoAlliance Thailand facility, the Silverton Assembly Plant in South Africa and the Pacheco Stamping and Assembly Plant in Argentina. The model is Ford’s most widespread vehicle, with 185 markets seeing Ranger sales.