Australia is getting the Ford F-150 but New Zealand misses out…for now

Two decades since they last hit Australian markets, Ford is bringing their F-150 pickup truck down under once more.

Unfortunately, if you’re a Kiwi who wants one, you’re going to have to be patient.

Australia will have the truck in showrooms midway through 2023. Their return is thanks to RMA Automotive, who will do the right-hand-drive conversions.

The project will be RMA’s first time doing right-hand-drive conversions on a grand scale.

Ford Australia will then sell the car with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Two models will be available at launch, both powered by a 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine. That’s mated with a ten-speed automatic and switchable four-wheel drive.

That’s all fun and games, for Australians at least, but Kiwis will just have to wait their time before a hopeful return.

“The F-150 announced in Australia is not confirmed for New Zealand,” Ford New Zealand told NZ Autocar.

“But we have always had a small but steady stream of customer queries for the F-150 in New Zealand, especially for its towing capacity.

“We are looking into options for New Zealand and how we could make available the F150 for those customers.”

The towing capacity is impressive, especially if you compare it to the Ford Ranger. The F-150 has a braked capacity of 4500kg.

Australia could also be on the receiving end of the F-150 hybrid, Raptor, V8 and Lightning models at a later time. First, they need to prove the truck will be popular with consumers.

“We’re pretty confident in our truck,” Ford Australia boss Andrew Birkic.

“With such a local fan base, and with full-size truck sales in Australia tripling in recent years, we just knew we had to find a way to bring it back to Australia.”

Of all the other potential models Australia could sell, the all-electric Lightning catches Birkic’s eye.

“I absolutely love the Lightning. It’s incredible,” he said. “I’m sure we could sell that product.”