2019 Ford Ranger Will Go on Sale with Endless Accessories
Daily Slideshow: Ford plans to capitalize on our love of custom options by rolling out loads of dealer add-ons for the 2019 Ford Ranger.
New Truck, New Accessories
These days, truck enthusiasts spend a lot of money upgrading and outfitting their vehicles with all sorts of aftermarket accessories. Manufacturers have obviously taken note of this, and are working overtime to market and sell these parts themselves.
It makes a lot of sense, of course, as these high-margin sales benefit automakers greatly. And with a brand new Ford Ranger on the horizon, Ford is wasting no time offering buyers a ton of upgrades right off the showroom floor.
Get Outside
To jump on this opportunity as quickly as possible, Ford has teamed up with Yakima to offer a wide range of outdoor adventure products through Ford dealerships as soon as the new Ranger goes on sale in early 2019. These accessories will also extend to the Explorer and F-150 shortly thereafter.
Convenience Factors
Even better, customers can pick and choose which accessories they'd like and add their cost to the vehicle's financing. Yakima accessories sold through Ford come with a 3-year, 36,000-mile warranty as well, and extended warranties are also available.
Win-Win
Offering accessories in this manner obviously gives Ford an advantage over most aftermarket companies. But it's also a great thing for consumers, as Eric Cin, global director, Vehicle Personalization points out.
"We know our customers see their vehicles as extensions of themselves," Cin said “With the addition of Yakima accessories, Ford aims to enhance the experiences of adventure-driven customers by delivering innovative solutions such as truck bed racks that preserve cargo space by lifting kayaks, bikes, and skis off the floor of the bed. It’s about making each adventure better."
Fair Share
According to the SEMA 2018 Market Report, consumers spent a whopping $45 billion on vehicle customization parts in the last year alone. Over that time frame, aftermarket companies controlled 50% of those sales. Clearly, Ford sees a lot of potential to capture some of that market share.
Best Sellers
Ford plans to offer the best-selling Yakima accessories in early 2019, including kayak racks, bike racks, truck-bed storage solutions designed to transport longer items securely, and truck-bed tents that keep customers and their essentials off the ground. Additional accessories will join that initial assortment later on.
Bed Rockin'
The first such offering is Yakima's BedRock Heavy Duty (HD) truck bed rack with a 78-inch HD Crossbar. The low-profile BedRock elevates truck bed capacity with a low-height rack system capable of carrying bikes, skis, boats or boxes above the bed, which preserves the storage capacity underneath. The BedRock is also compatible with the SkyRise medium rooftop tent.
Rack It Up
Those looking for even more space will find it in the BaseLine tower and JetStream crossbar cab rack. The BaseLine’s design and adjustability allow it to fit to a vehicle’s roof for a clean and secure fit. The BaseLine is compatible with the MegaWarrior basket with light bracket and large stretch net and SlimShady awning.
Bed Extender
Next up is the LongArm truck bed extender, which easily extends the length of any truck bed up to four feet. Light and strong, the aluminum, hitch-mounted rack helps haul kayaks, boards, lumber, ladders and more. The LongArm is adjustable to three distinct load-carrying positions and rated to carry up to 300 pounds in lower positions.
Riding to Ride
Rounding out the initial offerings is Yakima's GateKeeper tailgate pad, which holds up to six bikes. GateKeeper’s durable nylon exterior protects the attached bikes from the truck's tailgate, while the soft felt backing protects the vehicle’s paint. Integrated SitTight bike cradles add extra stability and protection to bikes, and the HindSight tuck-away cover opens up the view for the vehicle’s rearview camera.
You can find an ever-growing list of all of Yakima's accessories for the 2019 Ford Ranger by heading over here.
For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.