Sneak peek for lucky F-150 customers

0 0 December 13, 2023 Edit this post

by Alistair Kennedy

Ford Australia has kicked off customer deliveries of the iconic Ford F-150.

To mark the milestone, the company recently invited select owners to tour the RMA Automotive facility in Mickleham, north of Melbourne, where the vehicles are 're-manufactured' into right-hand drive.

Customers met Ford Australia’s Product Development engineers as well as RMA Automotive leadership for an in-depth tour of the facility, which can transform up to 20 F-150s each day from left- to right-hand drive, using an assembly line with 65 individual stations.

The process takes around 22 working hours over three days to complete each vehicle.

Customers also had a chance to take an F-150 for a test drive, experiencing the truck’s unbeatable capability, comfort and 'Built Ford Tough' quality first-hand.

Originally manufactured in Detroit, United States, the F-150s undergo a comprehensive re-manufacturing process at the facility.

The rigorous process requires around 500 new parts and re-calibration of key systems to suit Australian needs, including steering, climate control and lighting systems, as well as the instrument panel and software upgrades.

Located in the same precinct as Ford Australia’s new parts distribution center the 21,000 sq m RMA Automotive facility sees engineers from Ford and RMA Automotive collaborate to ensure the F-150s are re-manufactured to exacting standards, with the aim to offer the same unbeatable quality, capability and comfort that have captured the hearts of F-150 customers for 75 years.

The Ford F-150 XLT and Lariat, in both short wheelbase and long wheelbase variants, is now available for Australian customers alongside the full Ford vehicle range through Ford’s nationwide dealer network.

Both models are powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Prices range from $106,950 for the XLT SWB through to $140,945 for the Lariat LWB.

On-road costs need to be added.

Nationwide customer deliveries are expected to ramp up throughout November.