BHP orders 2500 Ford Rangers?

Brazen · 04-08-2012, 04:14 PM

My local dealer told me today that BHP has ordered 2500 Ford Rangers for some of their Australian mines. Has anyone heard of this?

Will we see a big surge in Ranger sales? Hilux is almost the biggest selling car in Australia and is by far the biggest seller in Qld, WA and NT. The BHP order will not only be a good sales boost but also be a big reputation builder.

nstg8a · 04-08-2012, 04:19 PM

jeez you could do some hard bargaining with an order that size...

hope its a sign of things to come.

Dr Smith · 04-08-2012, 04:20 PM

Hope it's true. Is it also true that where Toyota held an advantage was servicing in the remote areas. If this is the case maybe Ford has done some homework here as well because the Ranger itself is superior to a Hilux.

Brazen · 04-08-2012, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Hope it's true. Is it also true that where Toyota held an advantage was servicing in the remote areas. If this is the case maybe Ford has done some homework here as well because the Ranger itself is superior to a Hilux.

In a nearby town, VW are setting up a service centre for Amaroks purely for the mines.

RHR · 04-08-2012, 04:26 PM

Yeah heard that too. My brother in law wanted to buy one dealer said they can get them due to BHP

bobthebilda · 04-08-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHR

Yeah heard that too. My brother in law wanted to buy one dealer said they can get them due to BHP

See thats where the story becomes half unbeleivable. Ford on a number of occassions have said they dont want to chase low profit fleet sales, and everyone keeps saying they cant keep up with private sales. So why would Ford chase low profit fleet sales, when apparantly they cant keep up with high profit private sales?

FPV GTHO · 04-08-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

See thats where the story becomes half unbeleivable. Ford on a number of occassions have said they dont want to chase low profit fleet sales, and everyone keeps saying they cant keep up with private sales. So why would Ford chase low profit fleet sales, when apparantly they cant keep up with high profit private sales?

The numbers must be in their favour somewhere.

If this gets their foot in the door, i dont think every BHP order will be 2500 Rangers at once every time, so supply will get alot more manageable. It may also allow FoA a higher priority of supply and benefit private sales with faster delivery dates.

seven7 · 04-08-2012, 05:41 PM

where i work we have had two rangers on order since feb and delivery date is nov

Brazen · 04-08-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seven7

where i work we have had two rangers on order since feb and delivery date is nov

Geesh! They should assemble some here.

Smoke Pursuit · 06-08-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

See thats where the story becomes half unbeleivable. Ford on a number of occassions have said they dont want to chase low profit fleet sales, and everyone keeps saying they cant keep up with private sales. So why would Ford chase low profit fleet sales, when apparantly they cant keep up with high profit private sales?

Because if they prove themselves in this market they will get a bigger allocation, which means more cars for everyone....

Its very hard to walk into a dealer and buy a ranger Auto XLT.... They are pretty hot property even prior to talk of the big boys taking them in large quantities... I was told January to get one myself, ended up getting the BT-50 instead, atleast its got the same running gear.

aussie muscle · 07-08-2012, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

See thats where the story becomes half unbeleivable. Ford on a number of occassions have said they dont want to chase low profit fleet sales, and everyone keeps saying they cant keep up with private sales. So why would Ford chase low profit fleet sales, when apparantly they cant keep up with high profit private sales?

maybe the BHP deal isn't a low profit sale? :P

WAR40T · 04-08-2012, 04:26 PM

yeah, heard the same thing. My father went out to buy a new Ranger, and was told there is quite a while wait till he would be able to get one. good for commercial market, not so good for private buyers. Dad is now looking elsewhere....

FPV GTHO · 04-08-2012, 04:54 PM

Let's hope the servicing and after sales support can keep up better than supply can.

arnhemal · 04-08-2012, 05:13 PM

5 star ANCAP might have something to do with it

Elks · 04-08-2012, 11:11 PM

The version I heard, some weeks back was it was Thiess Services, who operate mine support for BHP & others. And the number I heard was just a tad over 2500.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnhemal

5 star ANCAP might have something to do with it

5 star ANCAP was a major factor, (but not the only factor.) Just goes to show what can happen when your product is ahead of the market. This time next year HiLux will apparently meet 5 star, at which point they would have been hard to unseat. Now Ford have the home ground advantage.

The late delivery of EcoBoost, EcoLPI, Diesel Territory, non delievery of V8 falcon and or diesel Falcon/Falcon ute. I know that diesel Falcon want a project, but why not? Rant over.

Ranger is kicking goals all over and good on it, it's a great car. Large imposing road pressence too. However it's important to get the supply lines open and make hay while the sun shines. If the rumours of HiLux with 5 star rating, V6 Amarok next year are true, life will get harder.

b2tf · 04-08-2012, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elks

Large imposing road pressence too

Understatement - they look bloody huge on the road.

Joe5619 · 04-08-2012, 05:21 PM

That would be nice result for Ranger. Lets hope Ford can get more supply to keep up with demand!!

Do they want some Falcons as well???

Brazen · 04-08-2012, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe5619

That would be nice result for Ranger. Lets hope Ford can get more supply to keep up with demand!!

Do they want some Falcons as well???

Needs diesel

sprint347dave · 04-08-2012, 05:23 PM

whats a ford Ranger ?

XR6Uteman · 06-08-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprint347dave

whats a ford Ranger ?

A Mazda with Ford stickers on it.

Nikked · 07-08-2012, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6Uteman

A Mazda with Ford stickers on it.

Clueless fool

The T5 Ranger was designed here in Australia...by Ford...Mazda used the same platfrom to put uglier panels on so they could have a ute too...

Vesper Martini · 07-08-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

Clueless fool

The T5 Ranger was designed here in Australia...by Ford...Mazda used the same platfrom to put uglier panels on so they could have a ute too...

Is this the same for the previous Ranger / BT50 are they built in the same Factory in Thailand or is it completely different?

Bossxr8 · 07-08-2012, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Is this the same for the previous Ranger / BT50 are they built in the same Factory in Thailand or is it completely different?

The previous Rangers were designed and engineered elsewhere, and built in South Africa?

aquahead2001 · 07-08-2012, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Is this the same for the previous Ranger / BT50 are they built in the same Factory in Thailand or is it completely different?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excouncil

I've asked a similar question with no reasonable reply ,
It seems Wildtrak is aimed at the weekend warrior who has more money
etc,. etc,.

people who need a practical size tray are appaently not attracted to the
up market trim and pricing .

The previous generation of ranger and BT-50 was designed by Mazda with only minor design work by Ford. The main manufacturing facility was the Auto Alliance Thailand plant where the new generation of Rangers and BT-50 are being made. South Africa was making Rangers But I think they may have been CKD or at least partially.

The new generation as already indicated, has been designed and engineered by Ford with Mazda doing the chassis. The design centre with responsibility was here in Australia, where up to 600 engineers were employed in the project. These were primiarily working with Ford, but also with Mazda as well.

The test program had engineering and testing being undertaken here, the USA, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. No vehicle engineered by Ford anywhere had such a diverse test regime and over such varied terrain.

A bloke I know who worked on the project said it was the first time in Ford Engineering history anywhere where they were permitted to buy camping gear. The Australian test program meant that the engineers were so far away from civilisation, they had no choice but to camp out.

XR Martin · 07-08-2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

Clueless fool

The T5 Ranger was designed here in Australia...by Ford...Mazda used the same platfrom to put uglier panels on so they could have a ute too...

Mazda designed the chassis actually.

jpd80 · 07-08-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Mazda designed the chassis actually.

Are you sure about that?

naddis01 · 04-08-2012, 06:24 PM

There was someone on this forum that ordered theirs in September last year and got it this month.

**TUF_302** · 04-08-2012, 07:09 PM

They are a sweet looking vehicle that's for sure, seen a few around lately, I'd much rather one of those than a Hilux/Navara for the simple fact the rangers look like a small and very tough pick up

peachey80 · 04-08-2012, 07:14 PM

BHP have agreements with Toyota, So I would be suprised if this were true.

XR Martin · 04-08-2012, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peachey80

BHP have agreements with Toyota, So I would be suprised if this were true.

Remember what Jac Nasser used to run? He's now the chairman of BHP.