For those readers who may be out of the loop, GM has partnered with aftermarket off-road and overlanding specialist American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to create some its top-of-the-line off-roader models, including pickups like the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison and GMC Sierra AT4X AEV Edition. These models offer unique content sourced directly from AEV, and they definitely stand out in their respective model lineups. Now, it looks like GM’s crosstown rival, Ford, will take a similar, aftermarket-sourced approach in creating rivals to models like the Colorado ZR2 Bison and Sierra AT4X AEV Edition.
Per a report from our sister publication, Ford Authority, sources familiar with the matter indicate that Ford intends to sell off-road-specialty model variants outfitted with third-party equipment, much like the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison and GMC Sierra AT4X AEV Edition offered by GM in partnership with AEV. The Ford Authority report states that these new off-roader derivatives will offer enhanced capability and performance, and will incorporate equipment accessories beyond simple upgrades like bumpers, wheels, running boards, and body protection. Greater approach and departure angles are two areas expected to see improvements, as compared to equivalent models with Ford-only components.
Ford is also expected to debut the first of these new off-road speciality vehicles with aftermarket upgrades for the 2024 model year. The Blue Oval brand recently launched a series of new trim levels and packages across its truck and SUV lineup to enhance its off-road offerings, such as the Ford Maverick Tremor added for 2023, as well as new Timberline trims for the Ford Explorer and Ford Expeditions SUVs.
Meanwhile, models like the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison and GMC Sierra AT4X AEV Edition offer upgrades like higher-approach-angle bumpers, a unique grille, fender flares, skid plates, and beadlock-capable wheels.
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Comments
You will probably be able to get a Ford rival before a 2023 Chevy ZR2. Every Thursday I call my dealer and he tells be he can’t order a ZR2 and CHEVY is not building them based on his information he gets weekly.
Was notified yesterday that my ZR2 was actually built. 3800 status (Vehicle Produced). He sent me computer screen shot with update. Now the 3 month wait for shipment.
I work at the wentzville plant, WE are making them so he is misinformed or lying, now where are they going after build idk?
Why aren’t they shipping all the trucks that were built 4 or 5 months ago. Still waiting on mine. Dealer tells me one time that it was in Foristell,Mo. for some reason, then last week they tell me it was in Troy, Mo. What is going on with these trucks?
More than one dealer has told me , every Thursday they get a report from Chevrolet on all Chevrolet vehicles being built and constants. I placed an order with one dealer got and order #, but he states GM is not excepting orders for the ZR2.
Isn’t the Ranger Raptor supposed to be the rival?
I’m not an expert on this but I think the raptors are more for higher speed and desert running, where as the Bison or AEV equipped GM truck are geared towards trail crawling and overlanding.
Just as i expected demand will far outpace production. GM needs a second plant to produce these mid-sizers.
Talked to a larger retailer in my area and they have none in stock , most are presold sight unseen.
They have 5 more arriving and all are spoken for . If i want to order one the dealer is telling me up to a 10 month wait!
Range raptor , f150 raptor , Maybe maverick AEV editon?? They offer so many packages as it is . Almost like they need new truck to justify it. I guess the f150 will have that editon. And Ranger will as well
https://fordauthority.com/2023/06/ford-trucks-to-get-off-road-variants-with-third-party-parts/
Do they need to? I personally think the Bison version version looks ugly. Those wheel wells are incredibly unappealing, with the 35 inch tires and blacked out wheels amplifying the problem and making them look too small. Not to mention yet another Chevy truck with a grille that tried way too hard and ended up ugly. I can’t imagine a Ranger Raptor Fox Performance Edition would look much better. Who knows, they could just skip the fat tires and focus on lift and suspension to compensate.