Advantage China? Ford cautious on Ranger PHEV expansion as BYD and GWM plan faster plug-in roll-out

While other brand such as BYD, GWM and Chery’s multitude of spin-offs strike out boldly into the plug-in hybrid space, Ford is taking a much more cautious approach.

The blue oval has just rolled out four PHEV-powered dual cab versions of the top-selling Ranger, but has ruled out expanding its plug-in offerings anytime soon.

The Ranger PHEVs are more expensive rivals for the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV.

READ MORE: Look out BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha! Ford Ranger PHEV pricing and specifications announced
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But both BYD and GWM already offer PHEV SUVs and are planning on bringing more.

Ford has already ruled out a PHEV version of the popular Everest SUV because it would compromise its capabilities.

And at the recent Ranger PHEV launch played down – but did not extinguish – the prospects of an expansion into single cab and cab chassis models.

The PHEV drivetrain’s high voltage battery pack and the fume capture system it employs for when the car is driven in EV mode are both factors that work against it in that application.

In fact, Ford makes it abundantly clear it recommends against removing the load box from the Ranger PHEV and that such a move would potentially void aspects of the factory warranty.

“All those things would need to be considered if there was any exploration into other body styles,” Ford marketing chief Ambrose Henderson said.

Another issue in relation to the PHEV system is its expense compared to cheaper diesel powertrains usually employed by utes.

This would work against its use in entry-level Ranger models such as single cabs and cab chassis.

However, expense be sinch an impediment for the higher-priced $90,440 Ranger Raptor super-ute and the incoming Ranger Super Duty, which has just been priced from $82,990 plus on-road costs as a single-cab with a detuned3.0-litre V6 diesel engine.

The 207kW/670Nm PHEV drivetrain has more torque than any existing Ranger engine and is only surpassed for power by the Raptor’s twin turbo petrol V6.

But Henderson hosed down prospects of the PHEV system turning up with either Ranger model.

“Raptor’s about all-out performance. And that’s what’s delivered with the V6 petrol in that product. And we’ll continue to assess what the right powertrain offering is for that, to deliver the intent.

“The intent is that all-out experience, top of the range, which is still unmatched by anyone else in the ute segment.”

On a potential Super Duty PHEV, Ambrose was equally opaque:

“What we’ve really focused on there is providing a product for extreme work. So the back of beyond, the most extreme conditions, the biggest payload, towing, etcetera.

“So never say never, we’ll continue to assess what customers want.

“But right now, the right powertrain application for Super Duty is the V6 diesel, which is what we’ve put into it.”

The one model Henderson actually seemed to move Ford’s position on slightly was Everest. His rejection of a PHEV version was slightly less emphatic than previously.

“The PHEV system has been specifically designed for Ranger,” said Henderson.

“Obviously, that body style affords some opportunities to be able to package that, so we have nothing currently to announce as it relates to Everest.

“We have no current plans on Everest.”