Ford’s Chinese-built Bronco New Energy spotted testing in Australia

Ford’s new Bronco New Energy has been spotted on the road in Australia, ahead of its rumoured launch.

Photos taken by CarSauce show the SUV sitting in a petrol station, wearing Victorian plates.

Though no official announcement has been made regarding availability of the Bronco New Energy in our part of the world, a Queensland dealer recently made a webpage public, hinting at an upcoming launch. If this is the case, Australia would likely see it launch at the end of 2026, or in early 2027.

It is still unclear as to whether or not we will also see it in New Zealand, but considering how similar Ford’s line-ups are on either side of the Tasman, it’s likely for our shores.

Importantly, this is not the rugged, ladder-frame Bronco that shares its bones with the Ranger and Everest. The Bronco New Energy is part of a collaboration between Ford and Jiangling Motors, falling under the JMC Ford umbrella. Chinese production kicked off in December 2025, with the SUV offered as either a full battery-electric or an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV).

The pure-electric version uses a 105.4kWh BYD-supplied LFP battery for a claimed 650km of range on China’s CLTC cycle, paired with dual motors making a combined 332kW. The EREV pairs a 43.7kWh battery and dual motors with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol generator, delivering around 220km of pure electric range and a total range of roughly 1,220km.

At 5,025mm long, 1,960mm wide, and 1,825mm tall, the Bronco New Energy is actually larger than the four-door US Bronco, with 220mm of ground clearance and a 600mm wading depth.

A flagship Basecamp variant adds a factory pop-up roof, modular tailgate with built-in induction cooktop, and 6kW vehicle-to-load capability.

Reports from Australia suggest only the EREV is locked in for that market, which would likely be the case here too. Three trim levels are tipped, expected to be Big Bend, Outer Banks, and Badlands.

When asked about the Bronco New Energy’s local availability, Ford NZ communications manager Tom Clancy declined to confirm.

“The Bronco New Energy is an exciting addition to the global Ford line-up, adding a new energy drivetrain to one of the world’s most iconic nameplates,” Clancy says. “Ford New Zealand is always evaluating options to expand our line-up for customers, but we have no news to share about future products at this time.”

If it does come, the Bronco New Energy will be the second Chinese-built Ford to land here, behind the Transit City van, and would join a fast-growing local wave of extended-range models, with Hyundai confirming a Santa Fe EREV this week and iCaur’s V25 due in 2027.