Ranger Super Duty Confirmed for 2026

[DFB FGXR6]

Unlike many, I don't begrudge Ford leveraging the Ranger's success. It's a fantastic vehicle, worlds better than the competition and the local engineering makes it truly the only vehicle on sale that is capable of dealing with all road conditions in Australia.

In theory, Ford would make the most of the Ranger by covering as many bases as possible with the vehicle. However, all they have done is focus on several variants of the top end dual cabs, all differentiated by wheels and how much chrome or black paint they trowel on the thing. Clearly this has worked for them, but they have lost sales elsewhere in the range.

Now, the well-worn argument is that's what buyers want, and that its more profitable for Ford to pursue high end models. All true, but with factory volume not a problem, there is no reason why Ford can't cater for all segments of the pickup sector.

The next argument would be that people don't want single cabs, and sales reflect that. But if you put up barriers to the sale of these models, then obviously sales will reflect that. In other words, they are writing the script. In my opinion, being more proactive with the single cab won't detract from the double cab models, they are very different users with different requirements. As it sits, Ford are not listening.

Ever since the current Ranger went on sale, Ford do not represent the single cab on their Build & Price configurator. I also note when researching this post, they won't even allow you to "build" an XL at the moment either.

https://www.ford.com.au/buy/build-an...rThaiAUS202450



And that's despite the main page for Ranger suggesting you can Build & Price a XL single cab.......................

https://www.ford.com.au/showroom/tru...ans/ranger/xl/



See what I mean by "road blocks", Ford make it so you can't "Build & Price" a single cab, despite the model existing. There are no pictorial references on the Ford website that show the single cab is available. And while I have seen a couple of single cabs on the dealer lot, you would be easily convinced they don't exist.

When I asked Ford back when the new-gen launched if the single cab would be offered in Australia, prompted because of the lack of reference on the Ford website, I was told that the single cab was no longer offered. A day later, my salesman told me they had two new-gen single cabs out back. So even Ford themselves don't know what they are doing.

So, all of the above considered, how can potential customers buy something if the company doesn't promote it? And I don't mean advertising, rather seeing the product on a website, brochure or any sales material. How can a customer buy something that's not represented on the brands website? Or when your own people tell customers it doesn't exist? For a company who told the world they were going to focus on trucks and SUV's, and for a company that has focused 90% of their effort on a single model, to not cover all the bases is ludicrous.

I think its pretty obvious that I'm a Ford man, I like the brand and have bought many Ford's new and used. But Ford are backing themselves into a corner and sadly, if I had to replace a vehicle tomorrow, Ford simply won't have what I need. Which makes me sad because ultimately, both Ford and I lose out.

[jpd80]

Just on the single cab offerings,
Use 2.3 EB for basic XL/XLT single cab models to do battle with Hilux Tradie

Second idea, low rider RWD single and Super cab with 2.7/3.0 EB, call it XR6 Turbo

[CyberWasp]

The other thing I keep harping on about is the market for tradies that do service and install work, who put ladders on the roof and need to get into underground car parks in the cities / apartments ect.

There has to be demand for a Lo-Rider Vehicle if it was set up properly to cater for this market.