F-150 Lightning one step closer to Australia as Ford confirms local conversion of ICE models
The Ford F-150 Lightning electric ute is one step closer to Australia following the announcement that Ford Australia will begin “remanufacturing” the petrol-powered version of the large pickup truck locally.
Only produced in left-hand drive predominantly for the American market, the F-150 will in mid-2023 arrive in Ford dealerships across Australia with the steering wheel relocated to the right to take advantage of growing demand for large utes.
The cars will arrive in Australia with the steering wheel on the left and undergo an extensive conversion process that will have factory approval and be backed by Ford Australia’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
“Whenever I speak to our dealers, they tell me that customers consistently ask about F-150, ask when it is coming, so I am very proud to now be able to say it’s heading our way,” said Ford Australia president and CEO Birkic.
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“There are just so many passionate F-150 fans out there and we’re all thrilled to be able to bring this iconic truck to our roads with locally remanufactured right hand drive models.”
The move raises the question of whether the F-150 Lightning – the all-electric version – could eventually be part of the local remanufacturing process, which will be performed in Australia by RMA Automotive.
Ford Australia says the focus now is on ICE variants – which will initially be powered solely by a 298kW/678Nm 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine – which will include the workhorse-focused F-150 XLT and the more luxurious F-150 Lariat.
“It’s going to be in the ICE configuration,” said Birkic in announcing the local F-150 program. “Really we’re going to focus on ICE [for now].”
However, Birkic has left the door open for the F-150 Lightning, admitting he thinks there would be ample interest in an electric ute. In America, the F-150 Lightning sells from about US$40,000.
“Is there demand? Yes, absolutely I’m sure we could sell that product,” he said.
One challenge could be getting hold of cars. Initial demand for the F-150 Lightning caught Ford off guard. Ford had initially planned to build 40,000 electric F-150s annually but has since upped that to 150,000 – and there are still significant waiting lists.
It’s a similar story from rival Chevrolet, which is dealing with unexpected interest in its Silverado EV, which will share many of its underbody components with the upcoming Hummer EV. It’s also prompted the other big American truck maker – Ram – to promise two electric utes, one mid-sized (similar to the Ford Rangers and Toyota Hiluxes that dominate in Australia) and the other large. And, of course, Tesla is still working on its delayed Cybertruck.
Birkic says the focus for Ford Australia is on proving the ICE-only local conversion program can work and be profitable, something he says is an “important step for us”.
“We’ve got to make sure it’s commercially viable [the F-150 with a petrol engine],” he said. “Right now, our priority is ICE … mid-2023, let’s get the products here and out to our customers.”
But clearly the Lightning is a product that Ford Australia has its eyes on.
“Absolutely love the Lightning, it’s incredible, we love it,” said Birkic. “But really, we just do need to ensure that we take the appropriate steps and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Ford Australia will launch its first EV locally in mid-2022 in the form of the E-Transit electric van.
The company has committed to other electrified vehicles, one of which is expected to be the Mustang Mach-e – when global production ramps up to a level that will allow exports to Australia.
