Ford proudly celebrated its 100th anniversary in Australia today, marking continued commitment to innovation, investment, employees, and community support that has seen us becoming – and remaining – the largest automotive employer in the country.
We also looked to the future with the global reveal of the all-new Ranger Super Duty and celebrated the extension of our 100-year partnership with the Geelong Football Club, the world’s longest-running partnership in professional sport.
“For 100 years, Ford and Australia have grown together. Australia was one of the first markets we established outside North America. It was a key moment in making Ford truly global. It has been a center of innovation, from the first truck or Ute, to the Falcon and Ranger, and always a pipeline of talent,” said Bill Ford, Executive Chair. “Ford Australia may be 100 years old, but the road ahead is what excites me the most. Built on ingenuity, determination, and world-class innovation, the team in Australia is not just shaping the future, they are redefining what is possible.”
Ranger Super Duty Revealed
Designed and developed in Australia, Ranger Super Duty made its global debut at the centenary celebrations, marking the first time Ford’s “Super Duty” name has been applied to any vehicle outside of North America.
Born from hundreds of hours of conversations and time spent with customers, Ranger Super Duty delivers a heavy-duty, heavy-hauling work vehicle to meet the needs of the most demanding customers in the most demanding environments. Ranger Super Duty’s work strengths also make it an ideal recreational vehicle capable of going a long way beyond the bitumen.
“We listened to what the hardest working fleet operators told us they needed to be more productive, and we’ve developed a Ranger with heavy-duty hardware and enhanced capability to stay on the job longer and help get it done sooner,” said Jim Baumbick, vice president, advanced product development, cycle planning and programs. “We are taking global midsize truck capability to a whole new level, straight from the factory.”
Listening to customers and creating vehicles that meet their needs traces all the way back to the 1930s, when an Aussie farmer sent a letter asking Ford to build a vehicle that could go to church on Sunday and take the pigs to market on Monday. The coupe-ute, was invented, demonstrating Aussie ingenuity and practicality, said Baumbick. “There really is a direct link between the market desire for a vehicle like the Ranger Super Duty and the 1934 Lew Bandt ute.
“Customers told us they wanted something comfortable and safe, that could carry and tow more and go further off-road. And just look at it. It looks like it means business,” said Baumbick.
With a thicker, stronger chassis, front and rear locking differentials, heavy-duty axles, and stronger suspension, this truck is heavy-duty commercial grade but consumer friendly. Redefining the heavy-duty, medium pickup segment, Ranger Super Duty will deliver, versatility, connectivity, and creature comforts unseen before with this level of capability.
While Ranger Super Duty was born in Australia, it will be going around the world. Built at Ford’s AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) facility, Ranger Super Duty will go on sale in 2026 across Australia and New Zealand and Thailand. It will also be offered in other markets through Ford Global Fleet Sales, who can also provide modification services. The product line-up and specs for these markets will be confirmed closer to introduction.
Backed by the Ford Pro Convertor ecosystem
Recognising the critical role of customisation for heavy-duty trucks, Ford also announced that the Ford Pro Convertor program will launch in Australia in the second half of 2025.
Connecting customers with trusted, Ford-certified conversion specialists across the country, Ford ProTMConvertor delivers high-quality vehicle conversions to meet a wide range of customer requirements, all backed by the comfort and peace of mind of a full five-year warranty from the Ford ProTM Convertor, complemented by Ford’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty on the base vehicle.
“Connecting customers through our dealer network with a wide range of Ford Pro Convertors will give them peace of mind that their new Ford will be ready to meet their unique needs from day one – from offering specialised trays and secure storage to full conversions that’ll help fire crews, emergency services and other essential providers,” said Andrew Birkic, president and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand.
“Every business is different, but they all require their vehicles to be tailored to their unique needs, with the quality, professionalism, and peace of mind that allows them to get on with the job – knowing they’ve been able to customise their truck to their needs. .”
“Ranger Super Duty is a heavy-duty vehicle designed to work hard in remote locations. That’s also why, in partnership with our dealers, over the next year we’re looking to expand our service points and build a presence in new locations, supporting key industries and ensuring our customers have the support they need, wherever they are. We’re building an entire eco-system of support to ensure those who do the tough jobs will be able to do them a little easier,” he said.
Ford and Geelong Football Club Celebrate 100 Years
Today, Ford and the Geelong Football Club are also celebrating 100 years of partnership– a relationship that began in Ford’s first year of operation in Australia and is the world’s longest-running partnership in professional sport.
The partnership includes support for both the men’s and women’s teams, as well as off-field collaboration through a range of community programs.
“More than just a logo on a jersey, our relationship with the Geelong Football Club is a genuine friendship,” said Birkic. “In the early days, many of our employees worked on the line during the week and took to the field for the Cats on the weekend. We’ve been with Geelong through good times and bad, because that’s what friends do. And while we’re immensely proud of our century-long relationship, we’re incredibly excited for what’s next.”
Here’s to the next 100 years!!!
