√New 2023 Ford Ranger headed for US production in July

The new-generation Ford Ranger pick-up for North America could be in showrooms in the second half of this year, according to an overseas report.

The new-generation Ford Ranger is destined go into production in Detroit in July 2023, according to an administrator of the Ranger6G forum site.

Previously caught on camera with minimal camouflage during testing in the US, the 2023 Ranger is a version of the vehicle developed in Australia (but built in Thailand) with changes to satisfy legal requirements and buyer preferences in North America.

They include structural changes to meet tougher crash test and rollover requirements, as well as the fitting of the 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that will be the primary choice for US customers.

The Ranger Raptor, confirmed last year for the US and Canada and reported by Motor1.com, will have the same V6 twin-turbo petrol engine as fitted for Australia.

Speculation on the Ranger6G site points to a public unveiling of the US version of the latest Ford Ranger at the 2023 New York Auto Show, which runs from April 7-16.

There are also reports that dealers will begin taking orders in the US spring, which could be as early as April, with the first Ford Rangers leaving the factory in Detroit for dealers in July.

There is nothing yet on official pricing or the model range.

The history of the Ranger in the US is significantly different from Australia.

Ford dropped the Ranger in 2011 but brought it back in 2019 as a major update and upgrade of the Australian model, with visual, engineering and engineering differences that also tapped into the Ford Broncho development program.

Now the two Ranger models are largely identical and the 2023 pick-up for the US – which could be badged as a 2024 model – will be built in Detroit at one of four production sites for the Ford Ranger, joining Thailand (where Australian vehicles are built), South Africa (where the Volkswagen Amarok version is also made) and South America.

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