Ford will manufacture a plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger at its Pacheco factory

Ford Argentina announced this Wednesday that it will produce a hybrid version of its Ranger pickup truck starting in 2027 at its plant in the Buenos Aires town of General Pacheco.

In this way, the Ranger made in the Buenos Aires town joined the group of local automakers that are leading the way to include a version with an alternative engine.

The project will require an investment of $170 million, the company announced in a statement. This is the first investment announced by the subsidiary of a U.S. company since Javier Milei's electoral victory on Sunday.

Several projects are underway to begin mass production of hybrid vehicles in Argentina, including those planned by automakers such as Toyota for its Hilux model and Renault for its upcoming Niagara model. Stellantis has also begun producing electric versions of the Peugeot 208 and 2008 at its El Palomar plant, although these are currently only for export to Brazil. Minister Luis Caputo recently announced that the new generation of the Volkswagen Amarok, expected by the end of 2026, will also include a hybrid version.

Ford's announcement coincided with the visit to the country of its global CEO, Jim Farley, who posed wearing the national team's jersey.

“Ford confirmed that it will begin production of the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid in Argentina in 2027, expanding the pickup's offering with the arrival of its first electrified version to the region,” the company said.

“For the production of the new model at the Pacheco plant, Ford is expanding its investments by $170 million. This amount is in addition to the $700 million invested between 2021 and 2025, which aimed at the complete transformation of the Pacheco plant, the launch of the New Ranger, the new engine plant, and the introduction of the single-cab versions of the pickup. In this way, Ford raises its total investment to $870 million,” he explained.

The statement included remarks from Farley. “We are proud of our growth in Argentina and excited to bring this new technology to South America with the new Ranger Plug-in Hybrid, produced at our Pacheco Plant. This demonstrates our deep commitment to this region and its people,” said the executive.

For his part, Martín Galdeano , the Argentine head of Ford South America, added: "This new investment is another step in consolidating the Pacheco Plant as a regional production center for pickups, adding a high-tech electrified version to boost the success of the Ranger."

"The plug-in hybrid Ranger will be the best Ranger ever manufactured in the region , offering an unmatched combination of performance and efficiency, with greater fuel savings and fewer emissions, without losing the robustness and load capacity, off-road capability and towing capacity of the Ranger that customers already know," added Galdeano.