Ford Promises Reduced Wait Times of Ford Rangers Thanks to New Thailand Factory

Ford Australia has announced the opening of a new Ford Vehicle Personalisation Centre (VPC) in Thailand. This facility is aimed at providing factory-fitted customization options for the Ford Ranger, a model that recorded significant sales in Australia in 2023.

The VPC will offer four initial accessories: two types of canopies and a manual roller shutter. These accessories will be available for all dual-cab Ranger models, with the exception of the Platinum and Raptor versions.

Located near the Thai port, the VPC is positioned to ensure a quick turnaround, with accessory fitment completed within two days of a vehicle's production. Ford assures that the accessories available at the VPC are the same as those offered by dealers and come with the standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Michael Karageorgiou, Vehicle Personalisation Director at Ford International Markets Group, stated that the VPC aims to provide customised vehicles directly to customers. The VPC is an addition to Ford's Dealer Network, offering a faster solution for fitting selected accessories.

Orders for VPC-fitted options are now open, with deliveries of the first vehicles equipped with these options expected to commence from May 2024. The VPC also aligns with Ford’s broader strategy to reduce the wait times for customers, including the leasing of the Grand Quest vehicle carrier ship, which has already delivered a significant number of vehicles.

Andrew Birkic, President and CEO of Ford Australia and New Zealand, commented on the launch, noting the VPC as a response to customer needs for diverse vehicle use and the industry-wide challenge of extended wait times. The VPC is designed to facilitate quicker delivery of customised vehicles to the Australian market.