Ford do Brasil has introduced a revised Ranger pick-up. The model is imported from Argentina to compete with the Brazilian-built Chevrolet S10, Mitsubishi L200 and Nissan Frontier models.
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The Ranger pick-up has a redesigned nose based on the style of the US-made Ranger, but with an exclusive bumper. Ford has also modified the suspension but these are only the first in a series of changes planned for the model.
Next year Ford will introduce a new dashboard and a new diesel engine.
The revised Ranger is currently built with Ford 2.3-litre petrol and International 2.8-litre diesel engines. But, in 2005 the sold in Brazil will need to meet the new emission standard Proconve V (equivalent to Euro III) so the 2.8-litre diesel will be replaced by a new three-litre engine with common rail fuel injection, also made also by International Engines.
Ford has targeted an improved Ranger market share of 20% in Brazil, up from 14%.
The revised Ranger is produced in Ford’s Pacheco plant, in Argentina. Production started in July after the plant received an investment of $US32 million in assembly line equipment. Ford expects to make 5,000 units of the pick-up by the end of the year. About 40% of production is for Argentina, 40% goes to Brazil and the remaining 20% will be shipped to Mexico.
Rogerio Louro
