While the door hasn’t been completely shut, Ford Australia doesn’t see the business case in bringing the F-150 Raptor down under.
A Ford F-150 Raptor for Australia – converted to right-hand drive by a factory-backed operation – won’t be happening any time soon, and currently doesn’t stack up on paper according to a Ford executive.
“Look, I hate to say never,” said Kay Hart, head of Ford’s International Markets Group (IMG), when recently asked about any chance that the Ford F-150 Raptor or Bronco Raptor could ever make it to Australia.
“I don’t believe the F-150 Raptor as a right-hand drive conversion is probably the right vehicle.” Hart continued.
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“I don’t think the volume is really there, and therefore the investment that you would need to do a right-hand drive conversion of it, the business case (isn’t there).”
“I’m not saying customers don’t demand for it, I just think it’s very small.”
“Especially when you look at a right hand drive converted product in an F-150, and a locally designed, built-up unit from Thailand like the Ranger Raptor, it’s a very large difference.”
This is despite the Ford F-150 – in XLT and Limited trim levels – already being converted to right-hand drive in Australia by RMA Automotive. Extending this program to cover the F-150 Raptor would likely require additional capital, tooling and engineering to get off the ground.
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Ford’s locally converted F-150 program got off to a shaky start with a handful of recalls, which included problems with the vehicle’s steering and ADR (Australian Design Rules) compliance.
The Ford F-150 goes up against locally converted examples of the Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Toyota Tundra.
Ram extended its conversion program to include the performance-oriented 1500 TR-X model, with almost 1000 vehicles sold over a three year period.
Production of the 523kW/882Nm halo model – courtesy of a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 – ended in late 2023, and Ram Trucks Australia is likely to bring the six-cylinder ‘RHO’ replacement model to Australia.
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