It’s been over a year since we got our first taste of the latest Ford Ranger, driving it in Raptor form back in November 2022, and the model has already gone on to achieve considerable global success, including recently winning the Pick-up of the Year award.

A global product must include China, and Ford has entered a joint venture manufacturing agreement with Jiangling Motors Corporation to build the latest generation model locally.

The resulting Jiangling Ford Automobile Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (or just Jiangling Ford) will sell the Ranger — known as the Youqixia in China — under the Ford Beyond brand, but it’s not just the name that differs from the Rangers we see in the UK.

Ford Youqixia Ranger built in China

Power is delivered by a 2.3-litre petrol engine developing 258hp rather than the 2.0-litre diesel engine fitted to most Rangers here. Torque output remains impressively high for a petrol model, at 450Nm. An eight-speed unit from ZF Sachs has replaced the 10-speed automatic gearbox.

The leaf springs of the European Ranger have also been replaced with coil springs and a Watts linkage that ensures the axle remains centred to the body, regardless of how extreme the terrain gets.

The UK won’t see any Chinese-built Rangers, which is a shame, notably because the Jiangling Ford Youqixia is considerably cheaper than any model sold here.

With local production starting in China, Ford is opening orders for the pickup with a limited edition Wildtrak 1st Edition, limited to just 800 units. This top-of-the-range model will come with front and rear locking differentials, steel bumpers and a built-in winch, amongst other special equipment.

Chinese buyers will need to find 264,800 yuan (£29,220) to get their hands on a Wildtrak 1st Edition. However, the range starts at a far more affordable 160,000 yuan, which is around £17,650.

European Ford Rangers are built at the firm’s Silverton plant in South Africa, with the UK model range starting from £27,550 plus fees and VAT, or £29,800 for a double cab model. American buyers can purchase a model built in Michigan with a price tag from $32,670 (£25,600) plus fees and taxes.

Phil Huff
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