Softlogic’s Future Automobiles delivers Ford Ranger pickups to National Zoological Gardens

Handing over the keys to the Asst. Director Administration of Dept. of National Zoological Gardens – Kasun Habarakada. From left: Director Sales of Future Automobiles Gihan Vitharana, National Zoological Gardens Assistant Director Administration of Department Kasun Habaraka, CEO of Future Automobiles Chamath Tennekoon and Assistant Sales Manager of Future Automobiles Nandika Rodrigo

Ford Motor Company, represented in Sri Lanka by Future Automobiles (Pvt) Limited, a subsidiary of Softlogic Holdings PLC, recently delivered three Ford Ranger pickup trucks to the Department of National Zoological Gardens. 

The three Ford Ranger single cab pickup trucks will be deployed by the Department to the Ridiyagama Safari Park in the Hambanthota district where they will be used to cover the rugged terrain found in the 500 acres of park land while transporting staff, supplies and wild animals.
The Ford Ranger comes with Duratorq TDCi 2.2L and 3.2L VG Turbo diesel engines and a new 6-speed transmission. It has an excellent payload capacity and a towing capability of over 3500 kg. The Ranger’s outstanding class-leading ground clearance and water-wading capability of 800mm boosts its off-road capability. In keeping with the motto of ‘Built Ford Tough’, a rock-solid under-body gives the new Ranger a durable, ultra-tough foundation.

Ford Ranger is the only 5-star ANCAP safety rated pickup truck in Sri Lanka. The ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) is Australasia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate, having published crash test results for over 590 passenger and light commercial vehicles sold in Australia and New Zealand since 1993. ANCAP safety ratings are published using a rating system of 1 to 5 stars where the star ratings indicate the level of safety a vehicle provides for occupants and pedestrians in the event of a crash, as well as its ability to avoid a crashing by using technology. The ratings are determined based on a series of internationally recognised, independent crash tests and safety assessments. 

Some of the key high-tech safety features of the Ford Ranger include airbags, including side and curtain airbags-along with a reinforced cell, auto headlamps that come on when there’s insufficient ambient light, roll-over mitigation to reduce the risk of rolling over, hill launch assist to help power-up on steep inclines, hill descent control to help stay in control on steep downhill grades, emergency brake assist that applies maximum brake pressure in an emergency stopping situation, load adaptive control and traction control.

All Ford Ranger pickup trucks sold by Future Automobiles come with a 100,000km or 5-year power train warranty. The state-of-the-art Ford 3S dealership facility in Colombo ensures that the entire service experience in Sri Lanka is consistent with Ford’s global standards – from state-of-the-art equipment and Ford’s extended service plans to genuine Ford spare parts and highly-trained world-class technical staff. Additionally, a network of 12 service dealerships spread across all 9 provinces and manned by specially-trained technicians ensure that Ford customers have easy access to look into any aspect of their Ford Ranger. 

Elaborating on the Ford Ranger, Chamath Tennekoon – CEO of Future Automobiles stated, “The Ford Ranger has established a new benchmark in its segment through a combination of robust capability, build quality and advanced technology. Engineered in line with the ‘Built Ford Tough’ motto, the Ford Ranger is one of the toughest pickups in the market with exceptional horsepower and torque churned-out by the powerful, fuel-efficient Ford diesel engines. On top of all this, several cutting-edge technologies are available on the new Ford Ranger to help drivers stay safe, connected and in control. With such pedigree, it is no wonder that the Ford Ranger has won numerous international accolades. Most recently, it was adjudged the ‘Best Midsize Truck’ at the ‘Middle East Car of the Year 2017 Awards’.”

Explaining the recent local trend in the sale of Ford Rangers, Gihan Vitharana – Director Sector Sales of Future Automobiles stated, “We have noticed a trend where several government institutions have decided to purchase Ford Rangers having understood the significant advantages of using this world-class pickup truck. They recognise the exceptional ROI that Ford Rangers offer where a vehicle can be used for over 10-12 years, if used carefully and maintained properly through our dealer network.” He added that some of the government institutions that have purchased Ford Rangers in the recent years include the Presidential Secretariat, Ministry of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, National Housing Development Project, National Youth Services Council, Coconut Cultivation Board and the Bank of Ceylon.

Ford’s heritage in Sri Lanka is almost as rich as the local automotive industry itself. With Ford entering the market in 2010, Sri Lankan customers have been quick to notice that Ford cars have set the standards in terms of safety, innovation, fuel efficiency and performance. In addition to the Ranger pickup trucks, the Ford showroom in Sri Lanka currently includes the passenger car Fiesta as well as the Kuga, EcoSport and Everest SUVs.