The Ford Explorer debuted in 1990, and it’s no stretch to say it quickly became the face of the full-size SUV revolution. The original was still rough around the edges—especially compared to today’s big sport utilities—but Ford civilized it enough to attract mainstream customers who were looking for an alternative to station wagons and minivans.
Fifteen years and more than six million customers later, the “civilization” process continues, with Ford hoping the new Explorer’s success will likewise continue. And it’s all going to start with a new design that will likely have certain truck lovers ready to tear their hair out: Yes, it’s true, the next-gen Explorer will forgo body-on-frame construction and join the ranks of unibody crossovers that currently includes the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia.
Now, GM’s big crossovers have a four-year head start on the 2011 Explorer, with the Traverse almost doubling Ford’s sales in 2009, but the Explorer’s name recognition could conceivably help make up that difference in the space of a year.
Not that brand equity is the sole advantage that Ford will bring to the table. The new Explorer also will get the benefit of Ford’s modern powertrain technologies, including the company’s EcoBoost engines and latest six-speed automatic transmissions, to deliver at least 25 percent better mileage than the current Explorer. The net results could approach 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, numbers that are noticeably better than those on the Traverse.
Just as importantly, Explorer manufacturing will be shifted from Ford’s Louisville, Ky., facility to the company’s Chicago plant. This will allow Louisville to convert to a flex-manufacturing plant capable of turning out vehicles built on Ford’s global car platform—which will underpin the new Ford Focus and up to 10 other models. Meanwhile, Chicago will only have to make relatively minor adjustments to build the Explorer, since that vehicle will leverage the same platform the plant already uses to build the Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS.
Chicago will have to add some 1,200 new employees to handle the increased production. Further proof Ford is helping lead the U.S. out of its economic doldrums? Well, with so many changes going on in the industry, it just might be time for another: How does “What’s good for Ford is good for the country” sound?
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