Ford brings new Ranger to the mining industry

[roushfenway]

http://www.miningaustralia.com.au/ne...e0c41-59001245

Ford is attempting to stake a claim in the Australian mining industry with a debut at the Mining and Engineering Expo in Western Australia next week.

From May 6-8 Ford will be debut the new Ranger 4x4 XL, with a range of features that could prove to be attractive to the safety-oriented mining culture.

Ford has said that the Ranger 4x4 XL has been “designed to suit the needs of mining industries across Australia”, developed to fulfil customer demand for a light commercial vehicle that has added functionality in harsh work environments.

With the new Ford Ranger fulfilling 5-star ANCAP safety rating requirements for new vehicle purchases by large fleet companies, there are a range of factory features fitted to the donor XL model to better meet the needs of mining customers, and is designed to make the installation of commercial equipment simpler and more integrated for efficient transition from delivery to operation.

The Ranger 4x4 XL Plus has a range of tailored features including 17-inch Steel Wheels with All Terrain Tyres for challenging terrain.

Heavy duty canvas seat covers come standard to protect seats from mud and dirt while ensuring the seat mounted thorax airbags remain unobstructed.

The provision of an expanded wiring harness includes additional pre-wired electrical circuits and an auxiliary switch bezel, which facilitates the easy installation of electrical equipment such as light bars, driving lights and radios.

The Ranger also comes with a second, 80 amp hour deep cycle battery with battery isolator, to provide power for auxiliary equipment while ensuring the main battery is not depleted.

The Ranger’s steel bull bar also incorporates mountings designed specifically for driving lights, antennas and flags.

The Ranger 4x4 XL has a 3.2 litre turbo diesel engine and automatic transmission, locking rear diff and 3.5 tonne towbar, with prices ranging from $46,280 to $52,760.

[Franco Cozzo]

They can't even supply private customers with their orders in reasonable time let alone mines.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Big Damo orders are starting to square up now. Even on Wildtraks.

[Rob 351]

Yep, even Wildtraks can be delivered in 3 months now!

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Big Damo orders are starting to square up now. Even on Wildtraks.

Its only taken about 2 years.

[simon varley]

and fleets will always get priority over individuals

[Ben73]

Probably see more new Rangers than you see New hilux's in Mudgee. Not just mine contractors, but private owners too.

In the Hunter Valley you see quite a few Rangers done up in mine style decals, as well as other companies using them on the highway, but the mines themselves seam to own very few.

[mik]

I was sitting at the lights next a ranger a few weeks ago, I didn't see what the model was, but it did seem to be an upper class model........ bloody thing had good acceleration...... I mean really good acceleration for a big vehicle, very impressive indeed.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by Ben73

.....but the mines themselves seam to own very few.

It's not just the vehicle the miners are looking at, it's the after sales back up as we'll, this is something that Toyota have been very very good at since they started using the 40 series way back when........

[Gaz]

Auto is something different. Rarely come across them, occasionally jump into an auto prado but that's about it.

Not sure if the 'mine pack' is going to make much difference to be honest. Every one that is bought is going to be kitted up on the way to site anyway so it's not really saving that much.

[monte.b]

It will never replace the toyoto landcruiser at mine sites ,it will fall to bits like the nissan patrol

[dallasv8]

where i am we are replacing the hiluxes with d-maxes. i think they ordered them before the mine spec ranger was announced and they got a pretty good deal on the isuzu.
in saying that, my boss has ordered a wildtrak. be good to see it parked on the mine site every day

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by monte.b

It will never replace the toyoto landcruiser at mine sites ,it will fall to bits like the nissan patrol

Probably not but it will make a dent for sure in the sales!
The Ranger is the new boy on the block and its sales are increasing, time will tell if it is successful.

[simon varley]

Originally Posted by trublu

Probably not but it will make a dent for sure in the sales!
The Ranger is the new boy on the block and its sales are increasing, time will tell if it is successful.

they've been selling consistently around the 2000 (combined 4x4 and 4x2) recently which I believe is about what gets imported every month.

[Itsme]

It was mentioned in the Herald Sun Car Guide section the Ranger is now out selling the Hilux, interesting if true.

[naddis01]

Not according to the figures in the April sales thread.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by naddis01

Not according to the figures in the April sales thread.

Depends which media is reporting accurately but nonetheless the Rangers sales is increasing & Hilux is decreasing (fact)

TOYOTA HiLux 2572 — down 12.2 per cent
FORD Ranger 2094 — up 24.2 per cent

Interesting figures & certainly a good sign for Ford.

[wranger]

http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-and...83436_20140502

Ranger outsold the Hilux 3500 to 2600 in government fleet sales last year.

Doesn't say anything about private sales but I reckon the Ford will have just about caught up there too.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Gaz

Not sure if the 'mine pack' is going to make much difference to be honest. Every one that is bought is going to be kitted up on the way to site anyway so it's not really saving that much.

Perhaps they're pitching it as a replacement for the 70 Series as well as the Hilux? And with the 70 Series they have to add ROPS which they don't for the Ranger.

[mac_man_luke]

Factory setup also means it retains 5 star.

[wicksy]

gotta be better than the crappy Hiluxs haha, most clapped out buckets ever they are, all our site has Hilux Dual Cabs and modified V8 turbo Diesel Troopies

[LyleXR8]

weve been trialing an auto and a manual ranger for 18months to 2 years now I think weve had them, sticking with hiluxes, they have been nothing but trouble the pair of them, always got engine and trans lights on, stuck in limp mode, constant flat batteries, aircons always dying, they've spent close to 25% of there life in the dealer, true they go well, more room, heaps better on fuel and no roll bars to squeeze past but economically they aren't working on our site and have told ford we wont buy any more

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by LyleXR8

weve been trialing an auto and a manual ranger for 18months to 2 years now I think weve had them, sticking with hiluxes, they have been nothing but trouble the pair of them, always got engine and trans lights on, stuck in limp mode, constant flat batteries, aircons always dying, they've spent close to 25% of there life in the dealer, true they go well, more room, heaps better on fuel and no roll bars to squeeze past but economically they aren't working on our site and have told ford we wont buy any more

Oh well shame about the duds you have (always a few) but I'm quite sure there are thousands more like mine that are performing quite well.

[LyleXR8]

on the black stuff and a bit of dirt they are fine, my boss even bought one after having the work ones for a month, our car parks and contractors see plenty rolling in the gates everyday, they just aren't holding up to 24/7 mine life, physically only the factory rear leafs collapsed with under 5,000km on them and aircons always playing is all weve had, but electronically they are never ending problems, they are constantly driving over mine haul roads being chewed up by 400 ton trucks, heaps of lumps, bumps and plenty of salt water and mud but the hiluxes handle it better than the rangers, only trouble from hilux is abs warning lights come on when the wheel sensor gets clogged up with mud or salt, 10 mins in the LV workshop they are hosed out and back off and racing again

[mik]

Originally Posted by LyleXR8

on the black stuff and a bit of dirt they are fine, my boss even bought one after having the work ones for a month, our car parks and contractors see plenty rolling in the gates everyday, they just aren't holding up to 24/7 mine life, physically only the factory rear leafs collapsed with under 5,000km on them and aircons always playing is all weve had, but electronically they are never ending problems, they are constantly driving over mine haul roads being chewed up by 400 ton trucks, heaps of lumps, bumps and plenty of salt water and mud but the hiluxes handle it better than the rangers, only trouble from hilux is abs warning lights come on when the wheel sensor gets clogged up with mud or salt, 10 mins in the LV workshop they are hosed out and back off and racing again

That is something I like about Toyota, they seem to go the extra mile building the whole car to last without problems, and this is due to the code they build their vehicles too, quality brings back repeat customers.
Even if at times they are a bit bland its easy to see why they are very popular.

[mac_man_luke]

Originally Posted by LyleXR8

on the black stuff and a bit of dirt they are fine, my boss even bought one after having the work ones for a month, our car parks and contractors see plenty rolling in the gates everyday, they just aren't holding up to 24/7 mine life, physically only the factory rear leafs collapsed with under 5,000km on them and aircons always playing is all weve had, but electronically they are never ending problems, they are constantly driving over mine haul roads being chewed up by 400 ton trucks, heaps of lumps, bumps and plenty of salt water and mud but the hiluxes handle it better than the rangers, only trouble from hilux is abs warning lights come on when the wheel sensor gets clogged up with mud or salt, 10 mins in the LV workshop they are hosed out and back off and racing again

Sounds like the early problems with are mostly solved or have solutions

Eg electrical is common, have smart charge turned off and its no longer an issue (and the mine spec has this as default)

Leafs - would have though most mine site vehicles would have HD leafs added for the typical loads.

Hilux has the advantage of being a mature product that people are used to working on and have solutions for the little issues.

Only problems iv had on mine was the cooling hose recall and transfer case leak.

I drive it hard off road and would be a fair chunk of my 35000km.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by mik

That is something I like about Toyota, they seem to go the extra mile building the whole car to last without problems, and this is due to the code they build their vehicles too, quality brings back repeat customers.
Even if at times they are a bit bland its easy to see why they are very popular.

I know what your trying to say, but what brand is it over the last few years that has had recall after recall after recall on various models across the globe, including it golden child 4x4 pickup, and had admitted it had cut corners to save money on product development?

[Nikked]

Everyone suffers recalls at some stage...if anything, its a sign of post sales diligence...

Looks what happens when you ignore problems...

[1TUFFUTE]

its amazing there are any problems when you watch what they put the test cars thru....unbelievable torture. but like has been said before....ranger meets safety requirements.....hilux doesn't. Ranger is half the price of the landcruisers too. they wouldn't be selling so many if they were dud at every site now would they

[Ringo]

I work in fleet and have given up on getting Rangers.
I always want auto which is part of the problem, but not all the problem
Getting sick of Ford reps telling me the supply problem is fixed...because it is not.
So many fleet clients have now switched from Ranger because they just can't get them.
I have not quoted one for over 3 months now.