Illusive Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 With many companies phasing out truck-based midsize SUVs, similar to what Mitsubishi did with their Montero and what Chevrolet/GMC/Buick is doing with the TrailBlazer/Envoy/Rainier, will Ford kill the Explorer & Mountaineer? I would expect the next Mountaineer as a rebadged Ford Territory from Australia, and the Explorer will be killed for good. The Explorer Sport Trac will either be retained or killed. With Explorer-sized crossovers such as the Taurus X & Flex, there is no longer a role for the Explorer. 2009 would be the last model year for the Explorer & current Mountaineer, as Ford intends to redesign the Ranger and move production to Louisville for the 2010 model year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 you should read around. there will be a unitbody Explorer for 2010 .. based on the D3 platform. Not sure about the Mountaineer. The Sport Track will either move with it to the unitbody, or become pal with the new F100 truck being developed on the F150 frame. Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illusive Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share Posted May 10, 2007 you should read around. there will be a unitbody Explorer for 2010 .. based on the D3 platform. Not sure about the Mountaineer. The Sport Track will either move with it to the unitbody, or become pal with the new F100 truck being developed on the F150 frame. Igor At least Ford will skip the 2010 model year for the Explorer, move production to Chicago for 2011, kill the Taurus X and retool Louisville for Ranger production. Thing though is, the redesigned unibody Explorer will STILL slot below the Flex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illusive Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share Posted May 10, 2007 At least Ford will skip the 2010 model year for the Explorer, move production to Chicago for 2011, kill the Taurus X and retool Louisville for Ranger production. Thing though is, the redesigned unibody Explorer will STILL slot below the Flex. Or as I say, what if the Ranger moves to Wayne, Michigan, where it will phase out Focus hatchback & wagon production? The Focus for '08 will return with only a sedan & coupe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 How many D3 crossovers does Ford need???????????????????? A goofy looking FWD Explorer is not an Explorer, that will be the death of it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armadamaster Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 How many D3 crossovers does Ford need????????????????????A goofy looking FWD Explorer is not an Explorer, that will be the death of it.. You know that, and I know that, but..... The whole crossover thing is so overrated anyway, I see more new Tahoes etc. on the roads here than Freestyles and Escapes, $3.00 a gallon gas or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markfnc Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I think in the april sales Expedition sales are up also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armadamaster Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I think in the april sales Expedition sales are up also. Heh...yeah actually beat the Crown Vic in sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 How many D3 crossovers does Ford need???????????????????? A goofy looking FWD Explorer is not an Explorer, that will be the death of it.. Who said anything about goofy looking FWD Explorer? The next gen of D3 is supposed to be able to accomodate a strictly RWD layout and longitudinal engine arrangement. Look at how unsimilar the Taurus and Flex are in both shape and proportion to see what kind of flexibility the D3 platform has. It will likely be even more flexible in its second generation. If Ford moves the Explorer to D3, I'm expecting something much more Acadia-like than Taurus X-like. Also keep in mind that tried-and-true SUV's like the Grand Cherokee and all recent Land Rovers have done just fine on unit body architecture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark8LSC CE0464 Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Ford needs to keep a RWD Explorer that is truly off road capable. Their are those of us who need it, and will buy it regardless of gas prices at $3.00. I take my Explorer places that would destroy a CUV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Ford needs to keep a RWD Explorer that is truly off road capable. Their are those of us who need it, and will buy it regardless of gas prices at $3.00. I take my Explorer places that would destroy a CUV. unfortunately not 15k of you buys new explorers every month .. and that is the problem ... and if all else fail - 4runner will still be available :D PS: would you NOT buy a Cherokee because it is Unitbody? I am not sure about this move by Ford, but it could be interesting ... I guess we will have to wait and see. Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Or as I say, what if the Ranger moves to Wayne, Michigan, where it will phase out Focus hatchback & wagon production? The Focus for '08 will return with only a sedan & coupe. Are you a moron? Anyways...the leading rumors for the Explorer and Ranger are this: Ranger goes away sometime next year with Twin Cities shutting down and gets moved to Dearborn Truck to be built alongside the F-150..which has been the rumor for Years now. It might become the F-100 on a simplified/lightened F-150 frame. I seriously doubt the Explorer is going any place with the current leadership..it has excellent name recognition, but right now its irreliventiant with the current car buying public due to the waning popularity of SUVs and gas prices. It would nice to see Ford do something BOLD with it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armadamaster Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Are you a moron? Anyways...the leading rumors for the Explorer and Ranger are this: Ranger goes away sometime next year with Twin Cities shutting down and gets moved to Dearborn Truck to be built alongside the F-150..which has been the rumor for Years now. It might become the F-100 on a simplified/lightened F-150 frame. I guess that means this potential F-100 will be about the size of a 1996 F-150? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLLMTR Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Geez, if Ford does go with a CUV for the Explorer, what will be the tow rating? 3500 lbs? I bought the V8 Mountaineer so that I can pull twice that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 Geez, if Ford does go with a CUV for the Explorer, what will be the tow rating? 3500 lbs? I bought the V8 Mountaineer so that I can pull twice that much. Yeesh. How many times does it need to be said? Unit body Grand Cherokee can tow up to 7200 lbs already, only 300 lb less than the current Explorer. Unit body doesn't mean the end to towing capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daryll40 Posted May 22, 2007 Share Posted May 22, 2007 (edited) Someone here commented that there are plenty of odd shaped CUV Explorer wannabees, but it's not the authentic thing. As one who has driven Explorers since 1991, I agree. There is only one Explorer but there are many Edge/Murano/GMC whatever it's calleds. Edited May 22, 2007 by Daryll40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devodev Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 With Chrysler talking about cutting vehicles out of the line-up...I'd hate to see Ford in the same shape with a ton of CUV-SUVs. Yet with a new Explorer coming, that would make the Edge, Flex, Free Style, Explorer, etc. all on the showroom floor. Sounds like something has got-to-go. Plus, wouldn't that mean the Explorer is now banished to 4 and 6 cyl. land? Twinforce stuff sounds nice, but the Boss/Hurricane line-up would've been nice in the Explorer also...oh well...the Lambda platform and the 3.6L is doing well for GM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armadamaster Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Wouldn't shock me if we see a D3 F-150 in the not so distant future, Ford is hellbent to pay for that turd sandwich no matter what, and rebadging it a Taurus ain't doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles19 Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 supposedly the unibody explorer couldnt tow or had trouble trying when they ran some with it. Also the louisville assembly is getting a flexible body shop. Will be down in may-june-july of 08'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.