1988 Ford F250 Reviews

In nearly 140 years of the motor vehicle, history records only two Australian cars that truly left their mark on the world – even to this day.

With the eagerly-anticipated Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) finally hitting showrooms in the middle of this year to give the BYD Shark 6 PHEV a run for its money, is that where this level of electrification development stops on the T6.2 platform?

Is Toyota preparing two completely different utes to replace the ageing current HiLux in Australia from next year? The first is the widely-speculated but as-yet publicly unconfirmed facelift of today’s eight-generation HiLux, while the second is new-from-the-ground up production version of the EPU (Electric Pick-Up) dual-cab concept that debuted at the 2023 Tokyo motor show.

Can you have too much of a good thing? Australians love utes and in recent years we’ve seen more and more brands look to capitalise on that, but it may not be a case of the more the merrier.

Ford has detailed pricing and specifications for the incoming Transit Custom Trail, a more lifestyle-oriented, all-wheel-drive variant of its popular work van.Slotting into the now four-variant strong line-up alongside the Trend, Sport and Double Cab at $61,990 before on-road costs, the 2025 Ford Transit Custom Trail is destined to go head-to-head with the new Volkswagen Multivan, which it undercuts by $14,000.Arriving in a single long-wheelbase specification, the Transit Custom Trail will carry the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox as its siblings. It produces 125kW/290Nm.Ford says where Transit Custom Trail differs, however, is its active all-wheel-drive system, which can anticipate and respond to wheel slip between the front and rear axles.It says the electronically controlled clutch in the rear axle, meanwhile, can provide traction like a locked 4x4 system without binding in turns.In terms of design, the Transit Custom Trail also carries its own unique flair.That includes a Trail-specific front grille and skid plates, black wheel arch mouldings and side strips, silver painted rocker trim, standard LED headlights and daytime running lights, unique 16-inch matte black alloy wheels, underbody protection and yellow exterior decals.Inside, it carries synthetic leather seat trim with unique Trail embossing on the driver’s seat and yellow stitching that extends to all three seats. Dual passenger seats come standard, but you can opt for a single passenger seat as a $150 option.As with the rest of the Transit Custom line-up, the Trail gets a 13.0-inch multimedia display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as a 12.0-inch digital driver’s display.It also maintains key safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, reverse brake assist, front and rear parking sensors and reversing camera.First deliveries of the Transit Custom are expected by the fourth quarter of this year, with a full list of detailed specifications expected closer to then.Ford has sold 755 Transit Customs as of March this year, an increase of 37.3 per cent on the same period last year.

Is Ford worried about the economic fallout from the US Federal Government’s hard line on imported vehicle tariffs and other controversial policy changes?With the company priding itself as the ‘most American carmaker in the world’, is the threat of consumer retaliation against US vehicles keeping senior management up at night?According to Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman, William Clay Ford Jr., the family-run vehicle manufacturer is large enough and important enough to have the ear of the Trump Administration.“Well, first of all, we have the largest American footprint of any OEM (original equipment manufacturer),” he told journalists at Ford Australia’s 100 anniversary celebration in Melbourne earlier this month.“And so, you know, that puts us in pretty good shape, actually, relative to many others.“But I keep reminding our management team of this: we've been around 122 years. And in 122 years, around the world, we have gone through every kind of political regime, every kind of economic bit of turmoil… great depressions, recessions… and we've always come out of it in great shape.“It seems like, and I was just saying to my employees today – and you know, I'm not counting what (is going on) – I've been through nine major crises in my career, and each time it felt like it was existential, and each time we emerge from it and carry on and go to new heights.“I think this will take some adjusting to for sure, as I say that, you know, the fact that we have the largest American footprint, we employ the most Americans, we make the most vehicles in America, really, you know, puts us in pretty good shape.”That said, Ford’s most senior executive acknowledges that some deft diplomatic manoeuvrability would be prudent in today’s ever-shifting geopolitical climate.“We’re still working through all the implications of this, because, as you can imagine, this has tails well into our supply chain all around the world, and so there's still kind of a TBD (to be determined) for us on some of the finer points, but we're going to work very closely with the administration.“You know, the good news is we have a large voice in America, in an American industry. The administration listens to us, and we'll work with them as this gets clarified.”The Ford CEO’s reaction came the day after Tesla released data showing that its global sales for the first quarter of 2025 slid some 13 per cent year-on-year.This seems to support reports stating that consumers are recoiling from that brand due to its CEO Elon Musk’s political machinations in the US.In the first three months of this year in Australia, Tesla sales plummeted by 59.7 per cent year-on year, although the company’s best-seller – the Model Y – had been in runout leading up to that point, so supply may have been affected.According to data from S&P Global Mobility released in May last year, Ford is “the number one American automaker in terms of vehicles assembled, vehicles exported from America to other countries and hourly workers employed” – and that’s for the sixth year in succession.

The Ford Ranger is undergoing an evolution that will see Australia’s best-selling vehicle grow in size as well as scope, as it fends off the coming Toyota HiLux facelift and all-new rivals like the Kia Tasman, MG U9 and next-gen Nissan Navara. These are new niche programs and models that should shore up the current T6.2 architecture’s viability into the next decade for Australia.

Polestar Australia and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) have slammed the Coalition’s proposed plan to scrap fines for carmakers that exceed emissions targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) if it wins the federal election in May.

Converting a cargo van to a people mover is a quick, practical way to give big families what they need: Space. Ford has plenty of experience in this pursuit over the years, not all of it totally successful, it should be noted. But when you're starting with the accomplished Transit Custom van, surely the transition to people-mover can't be too fraught.

Volkswagen has confirmed its electric Transporter mid-sized van will arrive in Australia before the end of this year to go head-to-head with the Ford E-Transit Custom and LDV eDeliver 7.In an announcement made this week Volkswagen said the Transporter battery electric vehicle (BEV) would land locally in the third quarter of 2025. This would have the electric version of the new-generation Transporter arriving at the same time as the diesel variant, with the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant following in the second quarter of 2026.Volkswagen also confirmed some vital specifications for the Transporter EV. A single electric motor producing 210kW and 450Nm will power the Transporter EV’s rear wheels and a payload capacity of 1038kg will apply to both short-wheelbase and long-wheel base versions.In comparison, the diesel variant of the Transporter uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine making 125kW and 390Nm, and will be available in front- and all-wheel drive. Short- and long wheelbase grades will have a payload of 1326kg.The Transporter PHEV will be powered by a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid system making a combined 205kW and 320Nm, with both short- and long wheelbases offering 1140kg of payload.Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Product Manager Nadia Bucholtz said the new-generation Transporter would cater for more applications than before.“Short and long wheelbases, standard roof height and high roof variants, front-wheel drive and 4Motion, Transporter has remained committed to supplying the most fit-for-purpose vehicles to our customers, including the most extensive range of applications,” Ms Bucholtz said.“The addition of BEV and PHEV variants to the range serves to further expand that product offering, particularly as our customers look to ways to minimise their emissions, maximise drive comfort and reduce running costs.”Volkswagen developed the Transporter EV in conjunction with Ford which has produced its version, the E-Transit Custom, and that is also expected to arrive in 2025.Pricing for both vehicles has not been announced yet but buyers can expect Volkswagen’s Transporter EV to list from about $70,000. LDV's eDeliver 7 is a popular rival to both the Transporter EV and E-Transit Custom and starts at $67,358 before extending up to $73,674.The entry price into the current generation of the Transporter is for the diesel 320S Trend short-wheel base which starts at $56,590 before on-road costs and extends to the top-of-the-range grade at $62,990.Volkswagen’s reveal of the Transporter's arrival timing came during a broader announcement detailing the brand’s upcoming commercial vehicles including the Caddy light cargo carrier, the electric ID. Buzz retro Kombi, the larger Crafter and the new-generation and just-arrived Multivan people mover.