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Is the Ford Ranger made in China?

No. The Ford Ranger is not manufactured in China for the Chinese market as of 2024–25.

The Ranger is a global midsize pickup produced in several plants outside China to serve regional markets, with production decisions driven by regional demand, tariffs, and export logistics. This article explains where it is made and why China is not a current production site for this model.

Global production footprint for the Ranger

To understand where the Ranger is built, it helps to look at the major production hubs outside China that supply different markets around the world.

Thailand — Rayong Assembly Plant. This facility has long served as a primary production site for the Ranger in Asia-Pacific and for exports to other regions.

South Africa — a Ford manufacturing facility near Port Elizabeth that has produced Rangers for the African and European markets, helping meet regional demand.

Argentina — Pacheco plant near Buenos Aires, producing Rangers for the South American market and nearby markets in the region.

These production locations illustrate Ford’s strategy of regional assembly to reduce lead times and tariffs, while China remains outside the Ranger’s current manufacturing network.

Is the Ford Ranger currently made in China?

No. There is no active Ford Ranger production line in China for the domestic market as of the latest information. The Chinese market is served by other Ford models, and any Ranger sales in China would rely on imports rather than local assembly. Ford has pursued various partnerships in China for different models, but Ranger production has not materialized there.

Historical context and future prospects

Over the years, there have been industry discussions and reports about localized assembly or joint ventures related to pickups in China, but no confirmed, ongoing Ranger manufacturing program has emerged. Plans can evolve with market demand and regulatory changes, but as of now, no Chinese plant produces the Ranger for sale in China.

What this means for Chinese buyers

For Chinese customers interested in the Ranger, options would typically involve imports from Ford’s Ranger production sites outside China, subject to import tariffs, hometaxis, and local certification. There is no dedicated Chinese-assembled Ranger lineup at this time.

Summary

The Ford Ranger is not built in China for the Chinese market. Its global production network centers on plants in Thailand, South Africa, and Argentina to serve Asia-Pacific, Africa/Europe, and South America, respectively. While Ford maintains a strong Chinese presence with other models, Ranger production has not been established in China. Buyers in China would rely on imported Rangers if they choose this model, rather than a locally assembled version.

Are Ford Rangers made in China?

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What Fords are built in China?

Ford produces a range of vehicles in China, including both models specifically for the Chinese market and some that are exported to other regions, such as the Lincoln Nautilus and potentially the Ford Edge L. Key examples of Ford vehicles made in China include the Equator, Equator Sport, Edge, Territory, Explorer, Bronco New Energy, and the Lincoln Aviator and Nautilus. Production is handled through joint ventures like Changan Ford and JMC-Ford.
Models made in China

Ford Equator: A mid-size, three-row SUV made by JMC-Ford.
Ford Equator Sport: A compact SUV developed and manufactured by JMC-Ford, also exported as the next-generation Ford Territory.
Ford Edge: A mid-size crossover manufactured by Changan Ford.
Ford Territory: A compact SUV produced by JMC-Ford.
Ford Explorer: A D-segment/mid-size crossover made by Changan Ford.
Ford Bronco New Energy: An electric version of the Bronco, specifically for the Chinese market and assembled by JMC.
Ford Mustang Mach-E: The all-electric SUV is produced at Changan Ford facilities.
Ford Edge L: A spacious, seven-seat hybrid SUV specifically built for the Chinese market and manufactured at the Changan Ford Hangzhou plant.
Lincoln Nautilus: This luxury SUV is manufactured in China and exported to the United States.
Lincoln Aviator: Another luxury SUV produced in China at the Changan Ford facility.
Lincoln Corsair: A luxury compact SUV that is also made in China for the Chinese market.
Ford Ranger: The pickup truck is being domestically produced in China for the local market.

Where is the Ford Ranger manufactured?

Ford Rangers are made in multiple global production hubs, including the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, USA; the Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, South Africa; and plants in Thailand. The specific manufacturing location depends on the model and the target market.

North America: The Ranger for the North American market is built at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan.
South Africa: The Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria produces the Ranger for the domestic South African market as well as for export to over 100 global markets, including Europe.
Asia: Ford has multiple plants in Thailand, such as Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) and AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT), which also produce Rangers for various global markets.
Argentina: The Pacheco Assembly Plant in Argentina also manufactures Ford Rangers.

Which Ford Rangers to stay away from?

You should be wary of Ford Rangers from the 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2019 model years, which have been associated with numerous issues including transmission problems, engine failures, and airbag concerns. Other model years to be cautious of are the 2002, 2005, 2016, and the years with the introduction of the 10-speed transmission in 2015-2017, as these have also been linked to significant problems.

This video discusses reasons to be cautious when buying a Ford Ranger, including potential issues with the exhaust system and airbags: 59sSpeed SpectrumYouTube · Oct 25, 2024
Specific model years to avoid

1999, 2001: These years are frequently mentioned for having significant reliability problems, including transmission issues.
2002: This model year had multiple recalls and is known for engine and transmission problems.
2004: This model year had a high number of recalls and is associated with transmission and engine issues.
2005–2006: These years had engine and fuel system problems.
2015–2017: The first-year models of the aluminum body and the introduction of the 10-speed transmission are linked to issues.
2019: This model year is noted for potential reliability concerns.

Common problems to watch for

Transmission: Rough shifting, slipping, and delays are common across several of these model years.
Engine: Some model years are known for having engine problems, including those from 2002, 2004, and 2006.
Fuel System: Issues with the fuel system were reported for the 2005 and 2006 models.
Rear Axle: The 2016 model year is known for potential sudden and unexpected rear axle failures.
Airbags: The 2001 model is linked to airbag and wiring problems.

This video explains some potential problems with Ford Ranger engines and transmissions: 55sReDrivenYouTube · Oct 10, 2025
Recommendations

Do your research: Before buying any used Ranger, check its specific model year and vehicle history report from a service like CarFax.
Consider better years: Models like 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2021 or newer are often regarded as more reliable choices.
Inspect thoroughly: When buying used, check for common issues like rust, which is a frequent problem with older models.

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.