2022 Ford Ranger, Fiesta ST hit by chip shortage

Ford has deleted a number of features across its local line-up, as it continues to deal with the global semiconductor shortage which is affecting the automotive industry as well as regulatory issues unique to Australia.

Locally-delivered examples of the facelifted 2022 Ford Fiesta ST will arrive without two key active safety technologies: blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert.

These safety technologies were included on pre-facelift versions of the Fiesta ST, along with AM radio – which is also removed for 2022.

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A spokesperson for Ford Australia told Wheels, “we continue to work with our suppliers as we navigate the continuing supply chain challenges, however in order to allow customers to receive their vehicles without additional delay, Australian-delivered MY22 Fiesta ST vehicles will not be produced with BLIS or rear cross-traffic alert.”

The importer has also confirmed variants of the current-generation 2022 Ford Ranger fitted with the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine landing in Australia will not feature its automatic engine stop-start system.

“Due to semiconductor supply constraints, and to ensure customers receive their vehicles without additional delay, certain Rangers arriving in Australia from January 2022 are not being produced with auto stop-start.”

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The removal of the auto stop-start system from selected Ranger variants joins a number of modifications made to the vehicle in the past 12 months, as Ford prepares to wind down production of the current-generation model.

Over the past year, local examples of the popular Ranger ute have seen the removal of several key features. This includes the CD player, rear tailgate lock on Wildtrak and Raptor, rear console 230-volt power port, and several minor deletions – including the extendable sun visor arm.

However, over the same period, the mid-spec Ranger XL saw the addition of the 2.0-litre diesel, which was previously exclusive to the XLT, Wildtrak and Raptor variants. Ford also added adaptive cruise control as standard to the near-flagship XLT, leaving semi-automatic parking as the sole Tech Pack add-on.

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A CD player and 230V power port are also missing on model-year 2021.75 versions of the related Everest four-wheel-drive.

The international power port – also scrapped from certain variants of the Transit van – is a victim of Australian regulations, which require the installation of an Australia and New Zealand pattern plug.

“While the socket is compatible with Australian plugs, the AS/NZS 3112 Standard (‘Approval and test specification for plugs and socket-outlets’) requires a socket that matches an Australian plug specifically as opposed to a universal, multiway configuration,” the spokesperson said.

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Above: power load box in the next-generation Ranger's tub

It was fitted to the Ranger XLT and Wildtrak since 2015, Raptor since 2018, Everest since 2015 and Transit since 2013, but removed from June 2021 across all four models.

“This includes Australian-delivered Next-Generation Ranger, which will not be offered with the 400W inverter and plug in the load box when the vehicle goes on sale later this year.”

“We reiterate that our power inverter system has been designed to Ford’s own global engineering standards, and customers who already have a Ranger, Everest or Transit fitted with these sockets can continue to use them.”

Ford says it will "continue to work with the regulator to resolve the issue", meaning the new-generation Ranger is expected to regain the 400W inverter and plug when likely engineering work to convert it to the Australia and New Zealand standard is completed.