Ford Australia managed to get a large allocation of Raptor's for the Australian market, it's not that popular elsewhere as other countries heavily tax vehicles based on CO2 emissions (the UK ect) or based on engine capacity (above 2.7 in Thailand for example). Because of that, a lot of dealers have them on the lot ready to go.
The GR Hilux kind of held its own against the Raptor when it had the 2.0 Bi-Turbo. By dipping into the wider Ford gene pool and using the 3.0 EcoBoost, they are basically in a class of their own with Raptor (in Australia at least). The only other competitors in terms of engine power would be the RAM 1500 (5.7 V8) and F-150 (3.5 EcoBoost), but they command a hefty price premium over the Raptor, and are naturally larger.
I also think putting the Powerstroke 3.0 V6 diesel in the Ranger was a masterstroke. All of the competitors are rattly, underpowered four-cylinder diesels, that V6 brings a shed load of refinement to the table, especially considering these things are basically the modern family car now. Having driven the 2.7-litre version of that engine, its vastly smoother and quieter than all of the 4-cylinder rivals. Even the power/torque delivery is smoother without that horrible all or nothing delivery, just a steady stream of torque.
The only other competitor to have a diesel V6 is the VW Amarok, which is now based on the Ford Ranger. (VW designed their own front and rear styling, but the vehicle was engineered in Australia by Ford for VW). Australia doesn't get the 2.3 EcoBoost engine that US-spec Ranger's get, but strangely, VW offer it in the Amarok. It will be interesting to see what the take rate for that engine is and whether Ford bring it here too. From what I have been told, the Powerstroke V6 is so popular that Ford are maxed out on making that engine, and again, most of that volume is for Australia.
