FYI: The 2024 Ford Ranger has been facing significant hurdles, delaying its launch and causing issues for buyers anticipating the high-powered Ranger Raptor.
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The 2024 Ford Ranger’s rough journey has made headlines ever since its US unveiling in May last year. Originally scheduled to reach dealerships by late summer or fall of 2023, the model only began appearing on lots in April 2024. Complications didn’t stop there; keen observers on the Ranger Raptor team spotted a cosmetic defect during production. According to a Ford spokesperson, the hood displayed what seemed like a dent, requiring immediate intervention. The team added handling aids during manufacturing and made design tweaks to refine the hood’s character lines.
However, the drama didn’t end with design fixes. A mere three months later, Cars Direct broke the news that Ford would stop accepting new retail orders for the 2024 Ranger Raptor. A dealer bulletin confirmed that the final date for submitting orders would be Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
### Navigating Custom Orders: XLT and Lariat Woes
While Ford’s Ranger lineup enjoys high popularity, models like the XLT and Lariat have proven especially challenging for custom orders. A considerable discussion on the Ranger6G forum under a thread titled “Order Tracker Status” reveals 57 pages of disgruntled replies. Many forum members have been waiting nearly a year for their custom trucks or have opted to purchase existing dealer stock instead. Another forum thread with a similar focus highlights that only a fraction of respondents got their ordered trucks within the predicted timelines, with the majority still expecting lengthy waits.
### Scarcity Hitting Ranger Raptor Hard
The Ranger Raptor is in particularly short supply. According to Cars Direct, out of roughly 8,000 Rangers in stock, merely 500 are Raptors. The parts suppliers for the high-octane Raptor have been stretched thin, struggling to meet Ford’s production demand. Ford’s official stance indicates that the shortage will significantly dampen customers’ ability to schedule retail orders for this model.
### Flexible Expectations for Remaining Models
Despite these challenges, Ford continues to accept orders for the 2024 Ranger XL, XLT, and Lariat. However, they strongly advise potential buyers to remain flexible with the expected delivery times.
### Key Takeaways
Navigating the current market for the 2024 Ford Ranger requires patience and adaptability. From unexpected manufacturing delays to supply chain constraints for the Ranger Raptor, potential buyers face a landscape full of uncertainties. The Ford Ranger continues to be a sought-after model lineup, but those looking to get their hands on a new truck may need to consider available dealer stock or brace for extended wait times.
Lawrence Jacobs, Editor of Automotive.fyi
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