Could Ford do a GMSV type deal?

Nikked · 18-08-2021, 05:10 PM

With large ~~trucks~~ utes being a expanding market here in Australia, could the time be right for Ford to go at it the way GM has done and offer factory backed RHD conversions? Of course, not suggesting a replacement of Fords local activities, but a compliment to what is already here.

Ram and Chevrolet are doing quite well for the premium price that they ask for, being a success for Walkinshaw who does both conversions.

F-Trucks, Bronco and Maverick could all be offered here.

Great thing about it is, the investment from the supplier (Ford) isn't as great as a complete engineering program for RHD.

With GMSV on the build, could be a missed opputunity for Ford.

**PG2** · 18-08-2021, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

With large ~~trucks~~ utes being a expanding market here in Australia, could the time be right for Ford to go at it the way GM has done and offer factory backed RHD conversions? Of course, not suggesting a replacement of Fords local activities, but a compliment to what is already here.

Ram and Chevrolet are doing quite well for the premium price that they ask for, being a success for Walkinshaw who does both conversions.

F-Trucks, Bronco and Maverick could all be offered here.

Great thing about it is, the investment from the supplier (Ford) isn't as great as a complete engineering program for RHD.

With GMSV on the build, could be a missed opputunity for Ford.

The F-Truck and Bronco maybe but I think that the Maverick may struggle.

The Maverick may struggle as it is built to a price. By the time you got one over here and converted it, it would no longer be a cheap and cheerful ute. Even if it could be built to a price ($40,000 for example) it would be too closely priced to Ranger. Two things would happen;

1. It would take sales off Ranger which Ford don't want

2. It would be a failure in Australia because 'you can buy a Ranger for the same sort of money.'

I'd love to see Explorer over here but as a RHD convert? Maybe.

hayseed · 18-08-2021, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PG2

1. It would take sales off Ranger which Ford don't want

.

^^^^ In a Nutshell, Why It will never Happen...IMHO

Franco Cozzo · 18-08-2021, 10:59 PM

VDC in Coolaroo is the Ford F series conversion specialist, it's not factory backed though.

If they were to do it they should approach Walkinshaw/HSV

Bossxr8 · 18-08-2021, 05:35 PM

Hmmmm.

**Giant Cranium** · 18-08-2021, 06:11 PM

When they sell on average 2400 f trucks a day in the states I don’t think they would even think about selling 3 a day to Australia

CyberWasp · 18-08-2021, 06:11 PM

When they stopped production of the Falcon & Territory I would have keep the factory and used it for this very purpose.

Vesper Martini · 19-08-2021, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

When they stopped production of the Falcon & Territory I would have keep the factory and used it for this very purpose.

Very big site to run for a handful of conversions and no need for a conveyor production line either. just a shed would do.

see glimpses on this video of the Walkinshaw facility

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFw1h_kNZco

Franco Cozzo · 19-08-2021, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

Very big site to run for a handful of conversions and no need for a conveyor production line either. just a shed would do.

see glimpses on this video of the Walkinshaw facility

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFw1h_kNZco

I've been there, its a big site and its much more than a few blokes in a shed.

They churn out a very good quality conversion.

Vesper Martini · 19-08-2021, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I've been there, its a big site and its much more than a few blokes in a shed.

They churn out a very good quality conversion.

No doubt, My point was it doesn't need to be in a facility the size of broad meadows.

Bossxr8 · 19-08-2021, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Was thinking more along the lines of the new EV Lightning F150.

But you can extend the same theory to anything new.

Getting supply would be near impossible. The first few years of production are already sold out. The demand was crazy. And their upcoming battery factory doesn’t have the capacity required, and won’t for a while yet. So US supply won’t come close to matching demand. Getting them here isn’t going to happen in the short term. Same with rhd mach e. We are just going to have to wait till ford can get their battery supply capacity up.

Bossxr8 · 19-08-2021, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vesper Martini

No doubt, My point was it doesn't need to be in a facility the size of broad meadows.

Ford have kept various parts of broady for low production builds like r spec mustang.

FPV8U · 18-08-2021, 06:28 PM

There is definitely a market as Ford experienced in the early 2000’s with the F250 launch, many local farmers and logging industries still use them today as until recently you really couldn’t replace them.

I’d love an F150 myself, the new ranger with an EB V6 would tick most of the boxes but being a taller guy with a growing family, the F150 would be perfect

Price point is starting to push it when you look at Ram of a decent trim level though.

naddis01 · 18-08-2021, 08:19 PM

I think Toyota is the only one that is in a position to take on RAM/Silverado. They could release the Tundra in RHD from the factory given this generations relationship to the new 300 series. If they don't do it, I don't see any of the others doing it, whether it be built in RHD or converted to RHD in Australia.

**Polyal** · 19-08-2021, 06:32 AM

I would like to think with EV now being pushed that the excuses for not making these cars properly global is diminishing...

Nikked · 19-08-2021, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

I would like to think with EV now being pushed that the excuses for not making these cars properly global is diminishing...

Well, yeah, thats another point. Could the Mach-E be converted and sold at a competitive price?

**Fordman1** · 19-08-2021, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

Well, yeah, thats another point. Could the Mach-E be converted and sold at a competitive price?

The UK is RHD so there is no need for a conversion.

**Polyal** · 19-08-2021, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordman1

The UK is RHD so there is no need for a conversion.

Was thinking more along the lines of the new EV Lightning F150.

But you can extend the same theory to anything new.

**Fordman1** · 19-08-2021, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Was thinking more along the lines of the new EV Lightning F150.

But you can extend the same theory to anything new.

The reply is about Mach E conversion, there is no need for that.

**FTE217** · 19-08-2021, 12:57 PM

HSV to now Walky have always churned out top shelf end product as much as I hate to admit being on the darkside.

Ben73 · 19-08-2021, 08:03 PM

If I were to guess Ford will say there's no point because the sales number are small compared to the Thai crowd. Then in the future If Ranger sales ever drop off significantly suddenly ford will be doing what they can to get a desirable product here and it will be too late by the point.

Let's hope Ford's only decent selling vehicle in Australia continues to sell.

Nikked · 04-04-2022, 08:03 AM

Well then...