Ford CEO Says Australia Needs a Brand-New Ute

Ford CEO Jim Farley said during a recent visit to Australia that the local market urgently needs a new Ute model. In an interview with CarExpert, he stated that Australian consumers would be well-suited to a car-based pickup built on a unibody platform, citing the popular Maverick in the U.S. as a reference—but emphasized that any Australian Ute should be a distinct model developed specifically for the local market, rather than a simple adaptation of a global offering. The most likely candidate is reportedly a small crossover already sold in right-hand-drive markets. Although Australian consumers have increasingly shifted toward SUVs and larger pickups in recent years, part of this trend stems from the lack of a genuine Ute option. With Holden having exited the market and Ford currently not offering a Ute, reviving this iconic local vehicle could not only rekindle nostalgia but also introduce a unique new model to the global market.