Ford aims for electric Maverick and Ranger utes

Ford has filed for trademarks for electric versions of its smaller Maverick and Ranger pickup trucks, possibly to be called the Maverick Lightning and Ranger Lightning, like its F-150 Lightning.

Deliveries of the F-150 Lightning are increasing in the US to fill a backlog of orders but it’s unlikely that or any electric Ranger or Maverick will be in New Zealand any time soon.

“Ford trademarks all sorts of things, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything is in development,” says Ford Motor Company of New Zealand communications manager Tom Clancy.

“Judging from the demand in the US they can’t build the (F-150) Lightning fast enough, and we get numerous emails a week asking for that – and there is no intention to build that in right-hand drive.”

Ford chief executive Jim Farley wants to see the company electrify several more popular pickup trucks (utes) in its vehicle line-up, Electrek reports.

It notes Ford has also filed different trademarks in Europe and the US.

In Europe, Ford filed to trademark the names “Maverick Lightning” and “Ranger Lightning” with the European Union Trademark Office.

In the US, Ford also recently filed trademarks for electric versions of the Maverick and Ranger, but it is calling them “Maverick Thunder” and “Ranger Thunder”, Electrek explains.

“At the same time, Ford also trademarked ‘F-150 Thunder’ with the US Patent and Trademark Office last month.”

The Ranger is considered Ford’s international ute since it is usually the only consumer pickup truck Ford offers in markets outside North America.