Ford finally destroyed the Explorer
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
Who is Ford's largest competitor for truck and SUV's? GM of course.
Ford has posted the 2011 Explorer on it's website and I think the new one is going to be a commanding family vehicle far surpassing the Chevy Traverse and all the junk that GM peddles.
Yes, it lost it's heavier duty frame and truck like attributes but it's gaining a very intuitive terrain management system, far better MPG's and a better overall ride. And it's base price is $1000.00 less than last years model.
I can't think of anything that an Explorer can do that an Expedition can't do. They were similarly priced, got similar MPG's yet the Expedition is far more capable.
Ford has posted the 2011 Explorer on it's website and I think the new one is going to be a commanding family vehicle far surpassing the Chevy Traverse and all the junk that GM peddles.
Yes, it lost it's heavier duty frame and truck like attributes but it's gaining a very intuitive terrain management system, far better MPG's and a better overall ride. And it's base price is $1000.00 less than last years model.
I can't think of anything that an Explorer can do that an Expedition can't do. They were similarly priced, got similar MPG's yet the Expedition is far more capable.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
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From: Pa
1) They used to sell about 500,000...
2) It'a listed in the official release.
Truth is, your average buyer don't give a crap about articulation of full lockers.
Sure, Toyota still builds the 4Runner. But sales went from a peak of almost 120,000 to just 19,000 last year.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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It doesn't, and I doubt Ford is making absolutely zero, but it does prove that Ford is making MUCH less profit than before, given similar development costs.
2011 Ford Explorer puts four-cylinder EcoBoost engine above V6 in pecking order — Autoblog
"The 2011 Explorer with its base V6 now has only a 5,000-pound towing capacity, beating the Flex by 500 pounds but falling short of the Chevrolet Traverse by 200 pounds."
I know, it's a sad truth manufacturers have to deal with. Trust me, as an engineer (who've worked for Ford, indirectly, in the past), I'd love to design something that's functional and purposeful, but Marketing and Legal department have veto rights over engineering, always.
I agree to a certain extent. But we have to admit that out of all vehicles, SUVs have taken the hardest hit. Cars, especially midsize and smaller, have typically grown in sales, along with CUVs of course.
"The 2011 Explorer with its base V6 now has only a 5,000-pound towing capacity, beating the Flex by 500 pounds but falling short of the Chevrolet Traverse by 200 pounds."
I agree to a certain extent. But we have to admit that out of all vehicles, SUVs have taken the hardest hit. Cars, especially midsize and smaller, have typically grown in sales, along with CUVs of course.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,624
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From: OR and UT
WTH does that mean? All-terrain tires? Wow, less vehicle for less money. What a concept!
Are you by chance a Ford salesman?
Super Moderator
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From: Maine, Virginia
There are many things that Ford has come out with that I'm real fond of but I think the new Explorer is a step in the right direction.
I got my issue of truck trend today and there is a suggestion that unibody trucks could be looming over the horizon. Massive changes will come eventually and they will be driven by MPG's and overall comfort.
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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We all think a frame is tougher, but if a unibody/uniframe can have the exact same rigidity as a frame, with better safety to boot, what's there to loose? Motorcoachs can gross at 54,000 lbs, and guess what? They're unibody / monocoque.
Remember the day when cars started to go unibody, I'm sure rednecks at the time ran around screaming "you can pry my frame away from my cold hands", yada yada. And look at where we're now. In a head-on crash between a 2010 Taurus and 1962 Galaxie, which one do you want to be in?
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
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From: Semper Fi tell I die!
You know, outside of commercial trucking, where loads are huge and custom fitting requirements highly vary, there's no real benefit of a body on frame setup.
We all think a frame is tougher, but if a unibody/uniframe can have the exact same rigidity as a frame, with better safety to boot, what's there to loose? Motorcoachs can gross at 54,000 lbs, and guess what? They're unibody / monocoque.
Remember the day when cars started to go unibody, I'm sure rednecks at the time ran around screaming "you can pry my frame away from my cold hands", yada yada. And look at where we're now. In a head-on crash between a 2010 Taurus and 1962 Galaxie, which one do you want to be in?
We all think a frame is tougher, but if a unibody/uniframe can have the exact same rigidity as a frame, with better safety to boot, what's there to loose? Motorcoachs can gross at 54,000 lbs, and guess what? They're unibody / monocoque.
Remember the day when cars started to go unibody, I'm sure rednecks at the time ran around screaming "you can pry my frame away from my cold hands", yada yada. And look at where we're now. In a head-on crash between a 2010 Taurus and 1962 Galaxie, which one do you want to be in?
the 1962 Galaxie! at least i would die in style if i did.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
2011 Ford Explorer puts four-cylinder EcoBoost engine above V6 in pecking order — Autoblog
"The 2011 Explorer with its base V6 now has only a 5,000-pound towing capacity, beating the Flex by 500 pounds but falling short of the Chevrolet Traverse by 200 pounds."
"The 2011 Explorer with its base V6 now has only a 5,000-pound towing capacity, beating the Flex by 500 pounds but falling short of the Chevrolet Traverse by 200 pounds."
The new one will pull 5000 lbs with far better fuel economy.
I want to see the mpg numbers to of the 2011 Explorer with 5k lbs in tow. I doubt the towing fuel economy will be much different (if at all) to previous generation explorers.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
You will definitely die in the Galaxy. In the Taurus, you'll most likely survive and be forever grateful that you did.