The world’s best selling pickup truck, the Ford F-150, is getting a right-hand drive version – but it’s only for Australia.
Ford Australia is delivering on the dreams of Aussie truck enthusiasts by announcing that the F-150 will arrive down-under by mid-2023, through a right-hand drive, local remanufacturing program with RMA Automotive.
Australians have been asking for a truck with improved performance, towing and cargo capabilities than the Ranger, the country’s current best-selling pickup.
“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 Andrew Birkic, president and CEO at Ford Australia and New Zealand. “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.”
“F-150 has been part of F-Series, America’s best-selling vehicle line for the past 40 years, with more than 40 million F-Series Trucks produced to date. With such a local fan base, and with full-size truck sales in Australia tripling in recent years, we just knew we had to find a way to bring it back to Australia.”
Making the Switch
Available only in left-hand drive from the Dearborn, USA, factory, Ford Australia has engaged engineering specialist RMA Automotive to remanufacture Australian-delivered F-150s to right-hand drive.
Ford Australia’s product development team – the same team that brought the next-generation Ranger to the world – has played a key role in bringing the F-150 to Australia.
RMA Automotive has more than 30 years of engineering expertise and is considered one of the world’s leading suppliers of modified vehicles. Remanufacturing of the vehicles from left-hand drive to right-hand drive will take place in an RMA Automotive-leased facility north of Melbourne, located in the same area as Ford’s new parts supply and logistics hub.
As a sign of confidence in RMA’s abilities, the Ford F-150 will be available nationwide from Ford dealers, backed by an unlimited mileage, five-year warranty.
Power and Performance
Australia’s F-150 will be fitted with a 400-horsepower 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 678Nm of torque, with power going through a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
The double-cab pickup will offer impressive cargo-carrying capabilities, with a 4.5-tonne towing weight and a payload limit topping a tonne.
As befits a range-topping model, the F-150 will also be fitted with an array of tech and safety features, including Ford SYNC4 infotainment, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot alert, cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, a rearview camera, and both reversing sensors and reverse brake assist.
UK Availability?
The right-hand-drive conversion of the Ford F-150 is a uniquely Australian proposition
, with little chance of the model ever making it to the UK. However, that shouldn’t stop personal imports, meaning it will be possible to drive a manufacturer-approved if unsupported F-150 in the UK while sitting on the right side of the pickup.
Ford Australia has yet to reveal prices. Final details are expected early next year.
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