Bangkok--12 Dec--Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Thailand-made Ford Ranger WildTrak was named the champion in the Double Cab of the Year in the 2008 4x4 & MPV Driver awards. Its powerful Duratorq engine, impressive dynamics, sporty design and value for money are cited as the key contributors to the success. Mr. Saroj Kiatfuengfoo, Ford Thailand’s senior vice president, said, “Winning an award from a prestigious organization in UK is not easy at all for a non-European made vehicle, considering the challenges presented and high market standards. We are proud that the award-winning Ford Ranger WildTrak was developed by Ford Asia Pacific’s Vehicle Personalisation, where most of its employees are Thais. We based our design concept on a consumer research done in UK and Europe. This is a crucial factor that enables Ranger WildTrak to meet unique demand for performance, design and functionality of a vehicle of drivers in UK and Europe.” “Thailand is Ford’s largest one-tonne pickup production and export hub outside the United States. The facility in Rayong province has been producing more than one million quality pickups to export to 130 countries worldwide. Here, we have engaged in a full product development and production process, including market research, product design, development and production. We are proud that the Ford Ranger, which is designed, developed and produced here in Thailand, has become very successful in Europe, especially in UK,” said Saroj. Built to celebrate the first anniversary of the new Ford Ranger in Thailand, this 4x4 “Built Ford Tough” pickup is powered by the Duratorq 3.0L engine. The Ranger WildTrak made its global debut in UK and became instantly successful due to its impressive performance, toughness, and, most importantly, its eye-catching design. 4x4 & MPV Driver’s Editor Bob Murray said, "The Ranger Wildtrak is a worthy champion, with its gutsy 3.0-litre engine, fine dynamics, tough work ethic and its sheer value for money.” The Ford Ranger WildTrak Limited Edition continues to breathe the Built Ford Tough heritage with off-road spirit provided by the special factory-built six special accessories including roof rail, sport bar, box rail, bed liner, scuff plate and eye-catching WildTrak sticker. The Limited Edition pickup comes in two stylish colors — the new Strato Blue and Black Mica. Featuring luxury levels of specification, macho styling enhancements and plenty of power, the tough but stylish WildTrak comes with leather seats, electric windows, scuff plates, off-road gauges, six-CD player, parking sensors, air conditioning and an array of styling enhancements. The 4x4 Ford Ranger WildTrak allows users to “Do Anything, Go Anywhere” with its unmatched power and impressive fuel economy. Powered by Ford’s innovative 3.0L Duratorq commonrail engine, the vehicle delivers the best-in-class 156 hp and 380 Nm torque at remarkably low engine speed range, thus increasing responsiveness, confidence and safety when taking over. The innovative 5-speed automatic transmission offers impressively continuous acceleration from the first to the fifth gear, making it more fuel efficient and greater fun to drive. The Active-Shift-on-the-Fly system also enables drivers to change from 4x2 to 4x4 mode at up to 100 kph without stopping the vehicle. Saroj added, “The WildTrak is one of the most successful variant of the Ford Ranger family. The Ford Ranger family has won many awards, including the most recent Thailand Automotive Quality Awards - “Outstanding Initial quality Satisfaction for 1-Ton Pickup 4 Door” category. This is the second consecutive year that the Ranger won this award. The awards, held jointly by the Ministry of Industry, Custom Asia Co, Manager Daily newspaper, and International Media Co., were presented to the brands that achieved the highest scores in a survey of 7,100 new car owners. The survey focused on the car owners’ satisfaction in three areas — Initial Quality Satisfaction, Sales Service Index and Customer Service Index.” About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.co.th .