As The Blue Oval works to shift its strategy in China amid falling sales and increasing competition, the automaker is focusing more on selling existing models there – rather than ones created solely for that market – as well as more pickups and off-road-focused SUVs. Thus, along with the Ford Ranger, the Ford Bronco will also be sold in China in the very near future, as Ford Authority initially reported back in April. Now, we know precisely when that will happen, thanks to Car News China.
According to a new report, the Ford Bronco is slated to launch in China in the spring of 2024, or more specifically, somewhere in between March and May. Though it will be produced in that country locally by the joint venture Jiangling Ford, we already know that the rugged SUV will share most everything in common with its American counterpart, save for a few distinct differences.
In China, the Ford Bronco features a tiny “Ford” script located above the standard “Bronco” lettering in the center of the grille, along with a “Bronco” badge spelled out underneath the Blue Oval badge in the rear, plus additional Mandarin letting on the opposite side of the tailgate. It will reportedly be offered exclusively with the turbocharged 2.3L I-4 EcoBoost engine – built locally by Changan Ford, another 50:50 joint venture. Pricing is said to start out at 300,000 yuan ($41,300 USD).
Additionally, The Blue Oval recently opened its first Ford Beyond store in China, where the automaker will display products including the Ranger, Bronco, and F-150 Raptor, and will also offer a wide array of parts and accessories for those vehicles, along with merchandise, customized test drives and even “professional experiential programs,” which cater specifically to off-road enthusiasts.
We’ll have more on the Bronco soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Bronco news and ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comments
Interesting move. Everybody thinks China just wants small EVs, where with a population over 1B, there have to be tens of thousands or more of enthusiasts there who want a rugged, off road ICE ‘play toy’. I think it’s smart of Ford to go after a somewhat untapped niche market with little to no competition with their icon brands (Bronco/Raptor).
Sounds like Ford is wanting to sell to the enemy more than taking care of the homeland. Sure, go ahead and open your market to China and watch everything get duplicated and sold against you worldwide. Looks like I will be changing to another manufacturer in the VERY near future. I upgrade both vehicles about every two years but it mill no longer be Ford.