Jim Farley Suggests Right Hand Drive Ford Bronco Is Happening

It’s been three years since the sixth generation Ford Bronco launched in North America, right in the middle of the pandemic and subsequent supply chain crisis. Since then, the off-road SUV has expanded into South America and subsequently the Chinese market, where joint venture Jiangling Ford is responsible for production. However, Jim Farley heavily implied in a recent interview that the Bronco could soon be built with right hand drive, a suggestion that would represent a reversal of the company’s previous stance on the matter.

Farley recently sat down with United Kingdom based Car magazine for an extensive interview, where he talked about the current state of the company. According to the interviewer, the CEO asked him if the Ford Bronco could compete with Land Rover in the UK, then stated that “the big Bronco will do right-hand drive and I think it’s worth a try.” While that isn’t an outright declaration that the SUV is officially bound for markets like the UK and Australia, it’s a heavy implication that the company has changed its mind on offering the Bronco in right hand drive markets. If it comes to pass, it would represent a notable pivot from past statements made by Ford executives about the possibility. Farley also previously stated that the Bronco would not be sold in Australia. The Bronco is currently available in the UK as a gray market import.

It is also unclear if the Ford Bronco would be converted into right hand drive via a third party. As Ford Authority has previously reported, the Ford F-150 is now officially sold in Australia thanks to a partnership with a conversion company, although there have been numerous hiccups with the full size pickup’s Australian introduction.

The introduction of a right hand drive Ford Bronco would potentially help the company strengthen its portfolio in regions where it has struggled. Ford is currently pivoting away from its overly ambitious EV targets in Europe while working on lower cost and affordable EVs amid the rapid rise of Chinese automakers on the continent. Additionally, Jim Farley previously stated that the company almost pulled out of Australia.