New tech for next-generation ute
Ford chases convenience and fuel economy for commercial vehicles.
Ford plans to drag its best-selling F-150 ute into the 21st century with a raft of technology shown off at the Detroit motor show this week.
The Atlas Concept was Ford's big news at its home motor show in Detroit, where commercial cars were the blue oval's focus.
Ford showed off a successor to the F-series ute family and Transit van, but did not reveal any new passenger cars.
The F-series utes have not officially been sold in Australia for several years, and they are unlikely to be available any time soon.
Ford group vice president of global product development Raj Nair told Drive at the Detroit motor show that the F-150 is currently not being considered for Australia, claiming that the Ranger "is doing very well" and that "it's the pick-up for that market".
Some of the Atlas' advanced features could possibly make it into the next-generation Ford Ranger.
The blue oval's US headquarters have pitched the Atlas as "the future of pick-ups", and it has been loaded with tech to make tradies tremble.
Ford says it worked closely with customers to deliver features like "trailer backup assist" and "dynamic hitch assist" which could transform the art of reversing with a trailer into something the apprentice can manage.
The utility's industrial aerodynamics have been tweaked with advanced features such as active grille shutters and wheel covers which open to cool key mechanical elements and close to cut drag and increase fuel economy.
With Matt Campbell
