Ford Ranger Thunder trademarked in Oz

With first examples of the new-generation 2022 Ford Ranger now proudly being driven by their owners, Ford is running with the momentum and could be readying yet another variant – in addition to the mysterious Wolftrak and Tremor grades that are yet to surface.

The new variant in question is the Ford Ranger Thunder and before all the Holden fans raise their still-grieving pitchforks, Ford also has form with this nameplate in Europe, where it adorned the back and sides of a limited-run Wildtrak in 2020.

News of this new variant actually broke globally last week (when it was trademarked in North America), but the Blue Oval has since submitted the ‘Ranger Thunder’ nameplate for trademarking Down Under as well.

This likely won’t come as much of a surprise given the Ranger’s popularity here and its Aussie development input, but what might raise a few eyebrows are simultaneous trademark submissions of the F-150 Thunder and Maverick Thunder nameplates.

With the new Ranger is already here and the F-150 is on its way, an Australian program for the car-based Ford Maverick dual-cab has long been shot down and it’s likely to stay that way unless Ford opts to subject the sub-Ranger ute to a right-hook conversion program as per the bigger F-150.

Regardless, the (Ranger) Thunder name has traditionally referred to little more than a cosmetic pack and that could well be the case again, however, the big theory at the moment is that the Thunder variant could be the all-electric equivalent to the Raptor; namely a zero-emissions off-road hero.

According to the rumour mill, the Ford F-150 Thunder will be a trail-rated version of the F-150 Lightning designed to do battle with the Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss, while Ford has reportedly just submitted a trademark application for the Maverick Lightning in North America.

Three Lightnings across three segments could quite feasible birth toughened-up Thunder variants and eventually provide a newfound uniformness to Ford’s pick-up portfolio, whether it be in select markets or globally.

We already know the latest Ranger’s platform is receptive to full electrification and the Ranger Lightning nameplate has just been trademarked in Europe after months of rumours, renders and even official teasers.

The dots certainly line up for all three models, but another theory suggests the Thunders will be plug-in hybrids, which is also a very real possibility for the Ranger that already has a mild-hybrid powertrain in the works.

Ford Australia provided carsales with its standard trademark line in reference to the local applications, reiterating that it “submits trademark applications for various brand assets as a normal course of business, but they aren’t necessarily an indication of new branding, badging or product plans”.

This will likely be exactly the case with the Maverick (Lightning and Thunder included) as well as the F-150 Thunder… at least for the time being.

While any new Ranger nameplates are more likely to materialise here, Ford could run into some local grief given the Mazda BT-50 range is currently topped by the BT-50 Thunder…

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au