image: Motor1
In September 2023, it was announced that Bronco manufacturing was headed to China: A local market version would be built in 2024 as a joint venture by Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) and Ford. Ford has already partnered with JMC on the Ranger.
Producing the Bronco locally will allow Chinese buyers to purchase at a much lower price. The JMC-Ford Bronco will start at $41,243 (¥300,000), compared to the U.S. imports, which cost owners $96,233-164,971 (¥700,000-1,200,000). The U.S. entry price for a Bronco in 2024 is $39,130, which gets you in a two-door Big Bend.
Same but Different
The Bronco launched in the Chinese market at the end of January, and production of the JMC-Ford Bronco is slated to begin as early as next month.
Images were released at the time of the news, and since then, shots of the Chinese-spec Bronco on a road test have also appeared online, as well as better pictures showing off the interior. Even though the Bronco has been adapted for the Chinese market, it’s still Built Wild –– skid plates, G.O.A.T. Modes, hero switches –– and easily recognizable as a 6th gen.
While many of us won’t come across this version in person, if you are overseas, here’s what you may see.
images: Motor1
The JMC-Ford Bronco will be available in four-doors only. Trims coming are said to be the Outer Banks, Badlands, and Everglades, though the original images included Black Diamond.
All come with the 2.3L Changan-Ford engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. To cut down on cost, the 2.3L Changan-Ford engine will put out slightly less horsepower and torque (271 hp and 336 lb-ft of torque) compared to the U.S. 2.3L EcoBoost (300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque).
images: CarNewsChina
The JMC-Ford Bronco will be slightly wider and higher than the U.S. version. It gets squared-off fender flares, “FORD” above the Bronco lettering across the grille, “Bronco” underneath the Blue Oval on the tailgate, and the Jiangling logo placed below the bucking bronco emblem. Trail sights have been deleted.
Inside the JMC-Ford Badlands is the “High Level Instrument Panel” –– the stitched dashboard –– from the U.S. '24 Badlands as well as the stitched center console.
image: @TychodeFeijter
Joining a Growing Family
Ford already sells the Outer Banks and Badlands in the European market, manufactured at the Michigan Assembly Plant, and on Thursday, February 22, reservations open for the Philippines –– Sasquatch Outer Banks only. While Australia is still waiting for a right-hand-drive version (which may or may not happen), the Bronco rapidly entering new markets like this gives more people the chance to enjoy this cool vehicle, and maybe at a better price for them.
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