Recent sightings of the Ford Ranger in India have sparked speculation about the potential return of Ford to the Indian market. This development comes at a time when Ford’s focus on electric vehicles (EVs) for the Indian market is widely discussed, with some of its popular ICE (internal combustion engine) products, including the Everest, expected to make a comeback as fully imported models.
Unveiling the Ranger:
- The Ford Ranger, closely related to the latest Ford Everest in terms of underpinnings and engine options, has been spotted in India for the second time.
- The vehicle’s design bears a striking resemblance to the Everest, featuring a prominent radiator grille, square-shaped headlamps with C-shaped LED DRLs, and shared doors.
- However, the Ranger stands out with its distinct front bumper design and a new tailgate bearing the Ranger name stamped into the metal, alongside slightly more pronounced rear wheel arches.
Interior Features:
- Inside, the Ranger echoes the rugged interior of the Everest, with a horizontally-oriented touchscreen, vertical AC vents, and a climate control button stack.
- The cabin exudes durability with hard-wearing materials and an all-black theme, while offering modern features such as ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, a full-digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, automatic climate control, powered driver’s seat, and Ford Pass connected car technology.
Powertrain Options:
- Globally, the Ranger offers a variety of diesel engine options, including 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre variants shared with the Everest.
- Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, these engines deliver power outputs ranging from 170 HP to 246 HP, catering to diverse driving preferences.
- The Ranger is available in both 4×2 and 4×4 drive layouts, with the 3.0-litre V6 engine exclusively paired with a full-time 4×4 system.
Market Prospects:
- The potential launch of the Ranger in India, akin to the Everest, has ignited discussions about its reception in the market.
- Unlike the established Endeavour (formerly known as the Endeavour) fanbase in India, the Ranger would debut as a new nameplate.
- While lifestyle pickup trucks haven’t historically been mainstream in India, the segment has shown growth with models like the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max, alongside a burgeoning off-roading culture.
- The forthcoming launch of Mahindra’s Scorpio-N based pickup truck further intensifies competition in the segment.
Conclusion:
- If introduced in India, the Ranger could leverage its shared platform with the Everest, potentially setting the stage for local assembly in the future.
- However, the success of the Ranger in the Indian market hinges on several factors including pricing, competition dynamics, and consumer appetite for lifestyle pickup trucks, aspects that remain to be observed.
