2024 Ford Ranger ute scores pre-fitted accessory options for faster delivery times as part of new Thai-based 'vehicle personalisation centre'

Leaning into its popularity among private buyers, Ford has added an array of factory-fitted customisation options for its Ranger ute, eliminating the need to fit them post-shipping at the dealer.

The new vehicle personalisation centre (which Ford refers to as the VPC) will initially offer four accessories to be fitted to new Ranger builds in Thailand prior to shipping, including three canopies (two 'style' options, and a commercial option), or a manual roller shutter. These options are available on all dual-cab Rangers, with the exception of the Platinum and Raptor variants.

Ford says the new accessories will cut down wait times for vehicles headed to Australia by easing bottlenecks in delivery times, and the company confirmed they are the same genuine parts currently offered at Ford dealers.

They will also be covered by the brand's five-year and unlimited kilometre warranty. The 'Vehicle Personalisation Centre' is in partnership with RMA Automotive and the facility is located near the port where the vehicles depart for Australia. This is the same company that remanufactures the F-150 to right-hand drive for the Australian market.

Michael Karageorgiou, Vehicle Personalisation Director of Ford International Markets Group said: "The VPC will complement the Ford Dealer Network by providing us the opportunity to offer customers a faster and seamless one-stop-shop solution for all their personalisation needs.  Customers can now order select accessories through a Ford dealer knowing that their vehicle will arrive in Australia with the accessories fitted and ready to go."

Ford also says the facility will be used to build further "retail-focused" special-edition Ranger and Everest variants in the future.

The option to order the new accessories will open before the end of January and the first deliveries will arrive by May 2024. Ford says the VPC accessories will build on the expedited delivery of more Rangers and Everests from its Thai manufacturing base thanks to the brand leasing the Grand Quest carrier ship which has already delivered "more than 9000 vehicles to date".

The VPC centre comes as Ford updates its Ranger and Everest range for the 2024 model year to increase standard equipment. Now included as standard fit on high-spec variants of both models is 'Pro Trailer Backup Assist' which allows drivers to 'steer' the trailer using the outer ring of the drive select wheel. The equipment will be optional on the XLT 4x4 and Sport pick-up as part of an optional Touring Pack.

The base XL variant also scores upgraded heavy-duty suspension consisting of thicker rear springs and revised front and rear dampers, as the brand said most customers chose this as an option prior to the update.

The 'flexible rack system' which debuted on the Ranger Platinum and Wildtrak X will become an optional item on the Sport and Wildtrak grades.

For more info on the full Ranger 4x2, 4x4 and Everest pricing scheme for the 2024 model year, check out our full story here.