Ford Ranger Bags International Pickup Truck of the Year Award (Again)
The Ford Ranger is no stranger to accolades. Dubbed as the King of Pickup Trucks, the Ranger brings home another title, once again cementing its place in the truck hall of fame.
This year’s International Awards gave Ford the chance to take home one, but two awards.
Aside from taking the title of the International Pickup Truck of the Year for 2020, Ford also managed to take home the title of the International Van of the Year for 2020 with the Ford Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid.
Ford is the only automaker to receive both the International Pickup Truck Award and the International Van of the Year Award in the same year on two different years, having first achieved the same feat in 2013 with the same vehicles.
“Our new Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid and EcoBlue Hybrid models are the right vehicles at the right time – helping our customers reduce costs and emissions, and meeting the challenges of operating in today’s business environment without sacrificing practicality or payload.
And our new Ranger is raising the bar for refinement, technology and productivity in the pick-up segment,” said Hans Schep, general manager, Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe.
The Ranger underwent a three day group test in Sweden, going against four other pickup trucks, the new Mitsubishi L200, the revised Nissan Navara, the current Toyota Hilux, and the Renault Alaskan. The Ranger emerges victorious, scoring 78 points overall. The Mitsubishi L200 managed a 72, placing second. The Toyota Hilux places itself in third place, while the Renault places fourth.
“Jury members adjudged the Ranger to be the best all-rounder and noted that it’s a best seller too, as the previous version together with this revised model dominate the European marketplace with almost 30 percent share of the IPUA 1-ton segment.So, the public recognize its merits also! Marks were allocated on each vehicle based on powertrain efficiencies, load volume and capability, driver and passenger comfort and safety aspects, as well as low total cost of operation from a business point of view,” shared Jarlath Swwney, Chairman of the Jury who judged the trucks.
“We are delighted that the Ford Ranger has been recognized by the IPUA jury for a second time, which is a testament to the enduring appeal of Europe’s favorite Pick-up. With its all-new powertrain and enhanced capability – not to mention the exciting new Raptor model – the Ranger is now moving the game on once again.” Hans Schep says proudly.
