Ford finally destroyed the Explorer
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
Sales of Explorers have dropped off because the rollover fiasco gave it a horrid reputation. While the Explorer was redesigned, people still associated it with the older model, because it looked very similar.
You cannot blame the Explorers rotten sales figures on the economic conditions...especially when you consider it has been outsold by the Grand Cherokee the last coupla years.
Back in the 1990's, Explorer outsold Grand Cherokee by FIVE to one. It was...at one time...what the Mustang was in the 1960's...the hottest vehicle on the market.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
I'm sure sales were down because it was an older design, but lets not forget the economic turmoil as well. People still want traditional SUV's, despite what the government wants us to drive. If the economy finally improves, people will be looking to buy what they want again. And unfortunately, Ford won't have it.
If people still want SUVs, then they sure don't put their money where their mouth is, because NONE of the body-frame SUVs are selling like hotcakes.
Automakers are very sensitive to what people wants - they have tons of guys doing market survey for a living. Right now, the only people buying SUVs are the ones that still NEED them, like in the rest of the world, and that group is a very small amount.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
I guess you guys were all pretty ticked off when the Explorer went from the TTB to the IFS. After all, change is bad.
Ford is trying attract the people who buy the high end SUV's like Lexus for instance. Ford has returned to profitability and they are building what the masses are buying.
I just sold my '88 F-150. Everything on the truck is manual and that's what I like. Since '97, the F-150's are totally different. It's taken me this long to get my head wrapped around no locking hubs, push button 4x4, IFS, CV axles, no manual tranny, etc.
After all my complaining and whining, I've determined that these trucks are not only pretty rugged but pretty damned reliable too. I'm getting a brand spanking new 2011 F-150 next year.
You will come to realize that this change is good. I'd suggest you all restore your old Explorers or go buy a Jeep. Truth be known, I'd prefer an old CJ.
Ford is trying attract the people who buy the high end SUV's like Lexus for instance. Ford has returned to profitability and they are building what the masses are buying.
I just sold my '88 F-150. Everything on the truck is manual and that's what I like. Since '97, the F-150's are totally different. It's taken me this long to get my head wrapped around no locking hubs, push button 4x4, IFS, CV axles, no manual tranny, etc.
After all my complaining and whining, I've determined that these trucks are not only pretty rugged but pretty damned reliable too. I'm getting a brand spanking new 2011 F-150 next year.
You will come to realize that this change is good. I'd suggest you all restore your old Explorers or go buy a Jeep. Truth be known, I'd prefer an old CJ.
Ugh, TTB. I do NOT miss that about my Explorer. Good luck trying to keep one of those aligned...
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Although we own a Explorer (it was the wife's pic) I have never really thought of them as much more than 4wd, glorified station wagons, as far as going off road, I have been places with B2s and Rangers that I NEVER, NEVER, EVER! would attempt with a Explorer. Most folk just use their Explorer as a grocery getter anyway, so the redesign does not bother me one way or another, It will still make it over the speed bumps out front of the Wal-mart.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 148
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From: Sodus, NY
If economic is the problem, then overall auto sales should drop by the same amount - 900%, and that's not the case.
If people still want SUVs, then they sure don't put their money where their mouth is, because NONE of the body-frame SUVs are selling like hotcakes.
Automakers are very sensitive to what people wants - they have tons of guys doing market survey for a living. Right now, the only people buying SUVs are the ones that still NEED them, like in the rest of the world, and that group is a very small amount.
If people still want SUVs, then they sure don't put their money where their mouth is, because NONE of the body-frame SUVs are selling like hotcakes.
Automakers are very sensitive to what people wants - they have tons of guys doing market survey for a living. Right now, the only people buying SUVs are the ones that still NEED them, like in the rest of the world, and that group is a very small amount.
The Chevy Traverse sold 53,000 units also last year, which is the intended market for the new Explorer. Ford is not going to be gaining any better sales numbers than they have now with this new sorry excuse for an Explorer. Wait and see.
Another similar thing almost happened in the late '80s. Ford had developed a new front drive sporty/econo chassis that was to be used for the '88 Mustang. There was such an outcry from loyalists that Ford nixed the idea and called it the Probe instead and kept the traditional Mustang configuration. So where's the Probe now?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
Another similar thing almost happened in the late '80s. Ford in conjunction with Mazda had developed a new front drive sporty/econo chassis that was to be used for the '88 Mustang. There was such an outcry from loyalists that Ford nixed the idea and called it the Probe instead and kept the traditional Mustang configuration. So where's the Probe now?
When the Probe was introduced, it looked nothing like the original dream cars and was really nothing more than a Mazda. Both the Probe and Mazda version (I forget what is was called), were assembled in Flat Rock MI.
Prolly the most famous of all FoMoCo dream cars was the 1955 Lincoln Futura. George Barris later acquired it, made a few changes...and voila! It became the Batmobile used in the 1960's TV series.
Bleed Ford Blue
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,578
Likes: 157
From: Anchorage Alaska
way i look at it is i'll keep dumping small(in relative terms to a new truck payment) on my old explorers which do what i want them to do perfectly. i'll also get myself another excursion and have all my bases covered...finding one is the problem.
i want a true truck based suv, not because i need..but because i want. there are a few of us out there. i dont see myself having any newer explorers then the 95-01's.
i want a true truck based suv, not because i need..but because i want. there are a few of us out there. i dont see myself having any newer explorers then the 95-01's.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Maricopa
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From: Maine, Virginia
Auto sales are down across the board from where they were two to three years ago because of the economic downfall. Newer small cars are selling better because that's all that many people can afford right now, the ones who can actually afford a new vehicle. So in my estimation the sale of SUV's would have improved whenever the economy improves. Ford sold 53,000 Explorer's last year.......still not a terrible number. I don't know what this years sales numbers are so far.
The Chevy Traverse sold 53,000 units also last year, which is the intended market for the new Explorer. Ford is not going to be gaining any better sales numbers than they have now with this new sorry excuse for an Explorer. Wait and see.
Another similar thing almost happened in the late '80s. Ford had developed a new front drive sporty/econo chassis that was to be used for the '88 Mustang. There was such an outcry from loyalists that Ford nixed the idea and called it the Probe instead and kept the traditional Mustang configuration. So where's the Probe now?
The Chevy Traverse sold 53,000 units also last year, which is the intended market for the new Explorer. Ford is not going to be gaining any better sales numbers than they have now with this new sorry excuse for an Explorer. Wait and see.
Another similar thing almost happened in the late '80s. Ford had developed a new front drive sporty/econo chassis that was to be used for the '88 Mustang. There was such an outcry from loyalists that Ford nixed the idea and called it the Probe instead and kept the traditional Mustang configuration. So where's the Probe now?
They announced the Probe as a replacement for the Mustang. Bad idea.
They announced the Contour as a replacement for the Tempo. Bad idea.
They announced the 500 as the replacement for the Taurus. Really stupid.
The Focus was not advertised as a replacement for anything but built along with the Escort for a short time and, voila, it's doing very well.
The Probe, Contour and 500 all tanked.
I'm sure that if it were up to some on here, we'd still be driving Ford Pinto's. After all, change is bad.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
The part that you left out is that Ford's timing and advertising have for the most part been really stupid.
They announced the Probe as a replacement for the Mustang. Bad idea.
They announced the Contour as a replacement for the Tempo. Bad idea.
They announced the 500 as the replacement for the Taurus. Really stupid.
The Focus was not advertised as a replacement for anything but built along with the Escort for a short time and, voila, it's doing very well.
The Probe, Contour and 500 all tanked.
They announced the Probe as a replacement for the Mustang. Bad idea.
They announced the Contour as a replacement for the Tempo. Bad idea.
They announced the 500 as the replacement for the Taurus. Really stupid.
The Focus was not advertised as a replacement for anything but built along with the Escort for a short time and, voila, it's doing very well.
The Probe, Contour and 500 all tanked.
The 500 (it was as homely as a mud fence) was restyled, then renamed Taurus (this was Ford prexy Alan Mulally's idea). The 2010 version is far and away a better car than any previous Taurus.
The Tempo and sibling Topaz were troublesome terds with multiple engine and A/T transmission problems.
The Contour and sibling Mystique (we called 'em the mistake!) weren't much better.
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