√Ford Ranger to lose anti-theft tech amid semiconductor shortage

Anti-theft motion sensors are due to be removed from the Ford Ranger amid the ongoing global shortage of semiconductors.

The Ford Ranger is due to lose a number of hi-tech anti-theft features – until further notice – on examples destined for Australia, despite the same models being subject to price rises of between $250 and $1000.

Ford has advised dealers the next update due to go into production – dubbed ‘Model Year 2023.5’ in Ford speak – will delete some features from the Ranger because of the ongoing semiconductor shortage.

According to a dealer bulletin uploaded on social media, the updated Ford Ranger will no longer be equipped with two hi-tech anti-theft motion sensors from March production onwards.

The omission of an interior motion sensor means the vehicle will not be able to detect when an occupant is in the cabin while the doors are locked.

The Ford Ranger’s vehicle inclination sensor will also be deleted, allowing thieves to jack up the ute without the alarm sounding.

The Ford dealer bulletin says the Ranger will be equipped with a ‘perimeter alarm’, which is triggered by the ute’s bonnet or doors being opened while it is locked.

The leaked dealer bulletin also says the Ranger won’t be fitted with heated exterior mirrors due to the semiconductor shortage, but it is not clear which variants this affects as this equipment has not appeared in Ford’s spec sheets for the ute since March 2022.

Production of the updated Ford Ranger with the missing features is expected to start in March 2023, ahead of deliveries beginning towards the middle of the year.

As previously reported, examples of the Ford Ranger built from March 2023 onwards will be hit by price increases between $250 and $1000.

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