5 International Versions of Ford Trucks
The success of Ford and the F-Series is part of what made modern America, but Ford trucks work hard all over the world, and many countries have their own variations. Here's a few of the Ford trucks that have developed across the globe.
1. Ford Lobo (Mexico)
The Ford Lobo is the Mexican variant of the legendary F-150. Taking its name from the Spanish word for Wolf, some aesthetic flourishes and different trim packages have been added to distinguish it from its kin north of the border. Aluminum wheels and a distinctive grille help to set it apart from the American original. Simply giving the vehicle a more region-specific nameplate no doubt did a lot to make it more attractive to Latin customers. Many American F-150 owners in the American Southwest have added Lobo emblems to their trucks, and you have to admit its a pretty cool name.
2. Ford Ranger (Everywhere but North America)
The Ford Ranger used to be a staple in the North American auto market. It was discontinued several years back, but was reintroduced in 2015. Only thing is, there were no version made available for the North American customers! The people of 180 countries have the freedom to buy a new Ford Ranger if they want, but why not the US, then? The red, white and blue was most likely passed over due to the Ford Ranger's close similarity in size to the F-150, and would have ended up basically competing with it. On the other hand, the Ford Ranger marked the F-Series' first ever official marketing in China. Which brings us to our next item...
3. Kawei K1 F-150 Knockoff (China)
Maybe it's cheating to call this a version of a Ford truck, though that may be exactly what it is-- and we do mean exactly! This knockoff was not given an okay from Ford but Kawei Auto decided to create 10,000 of them. Essentially taking the "mockbuster" approach to automaking, they've given their Kawei K1 a visual likeness to the legendary F-150, but you can't judge a truck by its cover. Inside, a 100 horsepower engine says everything you need to know about this low budget phony. On the flipside, they're able to sell their trucks for half what true F-150s are going for these days in China.
4. Refitted Fuel Flexible F-Series (Brazil and Argentina)
South America seems to be the haven for region-specific derivatives of vehicles, and most of their trucks are small car based, FWD units. We could talk about the Ford Pampa or the larger Brazilian F-1000, but while they can shed some light on the needs of the South American market, there's an even more interesting trend in effect.
In Brazil and Argentina, it is not uncommon for F-Series vehicles to be modified with fuel flexible options. This trend began a decades ago when Brazil faced a major fuel shortage and began making ethanol on a large scale. Many truck in South American markets are switching their engines over to accommodate everything up to pure E100 alcohol fuel, which is easily produced in countries that grow sugar, and down't have oil reserves.
5. Ford 3000 Leisure Bakkie (South Africa)
When you look at the way Ford markets their trucks, and the way the F-Series is often perceived foremost for its practicality and sturdy reliability, a Leisure edition does not spring to mind. Although there's nothing stopping anyone from taking their F-150 out on a fun excursion (as many F-Series owners often do) it's not like Ford to market one of their trucks purely as a recreational vehicle. The Ford 3000 Leisure Bakkie was an interesting little oddity sold only in South Africa. Based on the British Ford Cortina mids sized car and developing that template into a full-fledged pick up, the Leisure Bakkie is adorably eccentric, and inevitably fascinating to the North American market who never had a chance to take it home. If you do a Google search however, you may very well be able to find online postings with an old Bakkie for sale. As obscure as it is now, word is that the truck handled well and was as fun to drive as its name suggests.
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