donzuchowski Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Chevy will kill its version of the Ford Explorer the Chevy Trail Blazer by about 2010 or so and wont replace it. So will Ford also kill of the Explorer which is also based off the Ranger which is getting killed off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 The Explorer hasn't been based off of Ranger mechanicals for years. It uses its own platform. I don't see the vehicle going away, but I do see it evolving considerably in its next redesign and moving to a shared architecture with something else. It still accounts for a solid 100,000+ units of sales a year. To simply get rid of it would be idiotic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Chevy will kill its version of the Ford Explorer the Chevy Trail Blazer by about 2010 or so and wont replace it. So will Ford also kill of the Explorer which is also based off the Ranger which is getting killed off. depends how you look at it - Ford (like GM) will kill its BOF midsize SUV - but the Explorer name will soldier on as a unitbody CUV. The new car will arrive as 2010 model. Igor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theoldwizard Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Chevy will kill its version of the Ford Explorer the Chevy Trail Blazer by about 2010 or so and wont replace it. So will Ford also kill of the Explorer which is also based off the Ranger which is getting killed off. No. Explorer will go unibody in 2011 or '12, probably the EUCD (2008 Volvo S80) platform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 I really hope EUCD is capable of supporting a RWD-only architecture. Something about a FWD Explorer just seems all so very very wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Explorer will go unibody in 2011 or '12, probably the EUCD (2008 Volvo S80) platform. So, in other words, Ford IS killing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 So, in other words, Ford IS killing it. IF it ends up a FWD/AWD sled, I would agree with you to a point. If it manages to maintain a RWD/AWD/4x4 configuration on a unit body platform, I don't see the big problem. It has been shown time and again that a properly fitted unit body can tow and perform just as well or better than the Explorer can with a body-on-frame architecture. Of course, even if it goes FWD/AWD, there's no saying the market won't still eat it up. Just picture a larger version of the Edge. I think it would do well, even if it inevitably lost certain characteristics like offroad and towing ability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devodev Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 As long as they don't call it another name like, "Adventurer" or something, and change it back to Explorer a year or two later, it should be fine as a FWD/AWD vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Turning the Explorer into a unibody FWD Ridgeline sure as hell would be killing it, and would be shameful, how many D3 crossovers does Ford need??? Ford needs cars more than anything... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLPRacing Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 IF it ends up a FWD/AWD sled, I would agree with you to a point. If it manages to maintain a RWD/AWD/4x4 configuration on a unit body platform, I don't see the big problem. It has been shown time and again that a properly fitted unit body can tow and perform just as well or better than the Explorer can with a body-on-frame architecture. Of course, even if it goes FWD/AWD, there's no saying the market won't still eat it up. Just picture a larger version of the Edge. I think it would do well, even if it inevitably lost certain characteristics like offroad and towing ability. If the Explorer becomes unit body & FWD/AWD, it will be dead. Not that a full size CUV that is unit body & FWD/AWD wouldn't do well (the GM Lambda seem to be doing well), it just can't be an Explorer. Leave the Flex as Ford's only unit body & FWD/AWD CUV/SUV thing. Now, if the Explorer becomes unit body & RWD/AWD/4x4 and can perform as well as a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Land Rover LR3, then I think it will be a hit, possibly a huge hit. Especially if there is a V8 & diesel option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 If it manages to maintain a RWD/AWD/4x4 configuration on a unit body platform, I don't see the big problem. Wanna borrow my unit-body Jeep for a few days to see the problems of using that type of platform for truck use? No strings attached. Just replace the gas you use. After that, you will agree with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armadamaster Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 (edited) how many D3 crossovers does Ford need??? By God...they are gonna pay for that platform one way or the other.... may even wind up with a D3 F-150 before it's over with. Edited December 1, 2007 by Armada Master Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stegomon Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 (edited) depends how you look at it - Ford (like GM) will kill its BOF midsize SUV - but the Explorer name will soldier on as a unitbody CUV. The new car will arrive as 2010 model. Igor hmm history of the sploder starts off as a trim package on the f-150..then goes to the ranger....or you can look at it and the sploder was called the bronco 2...they add two doors,bigger motor. so funny things to the rear...then they add a new front suspention.....and it is kind of a RBV...then it goes to IRS and gets bigger...now it is going to go unibody....hmm looks to me that the sploder well be a little hatchback when ford decides to take it to the back field and kill it like they have with many other good car names Edited December 12, 2007 by stegomon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironhorse Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 GM is selling Arcadias and Enclave's at a good pace...kicking our ass in the marketplace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Wanna borrow my unit-body Jeep for a few days to see the problems of using that type of platform for truck use? No strings attached. Just replace the gas you use. After that, you will agree with me. No need. Have plenty of experience beating the living hell out of a '93 Grand Cherokee for 200,000 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 No need. Have plenty of experience beating the living hell out of a '93 Grand Cherokee for 200,000 miles. It took you over two weeks to come up with that? For shame. I would have expected something a little more "snappier". I am utterly disappointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 It took you over two weeks to come up with that? For shame. I would have expected something a little more "snappier". I am utterly disappointed. Meh....I tend to overlook a lot of the posts on these "lower" categories. But honestly, if a unit body Explorer held up as well as that unit body Grand Cherokee we had, it'll do just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyChingas Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 Turning the Explorer into a unibody FWD Ridgeline sure as hell would be killing it, and would be shameful, how many D3 crossovers does Ford need??? Ford needs cars more than anything... I agree. It seems to me that Ford wants to repeat its reliance on Crossovers for profits the same way they relied on the SUV back in the 90's...somethings dont change i guess... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suv_guy_19 Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 I agree. It seems to me that Ford wants to repeat its reliance on Crossovers for profits the same way they relied on the SUV back in the 90's...somethings dont change i guess... Why would Ford not pursue a profitable market? There will not be one more crossover either, the Taurus X and Explorer are to merge. Ford is not making the same old mistake. They do not build just crossovers (that was the case, they really only built a couple types of vehicles in the 90s). They are building a diversity of models with a particular focus on crossovers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 By God...they are gonna pay for that platform one way or the other.... may even wind up with a D3 F-150 before it's over with. You didn't hear that the F-150 is switching over to the D3 platform for the 09 model year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furious1Auto Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 (edited) Chevy will kill its version of the Ford Explorer the Chevy Trail Blazer by about 2010 or so and wont replace it. So will Ford also kill of the Explorer which is also based off the Ranger which is getting killed off. No the cost of fuel will, it is a shame too because it had a chasis upgrade in 2006 that entailed a totally boxed frame. It is the best version of the Explorer to date as far as capability, but if there is no stability of fuel prices and if they cannot be reduced than it is/will be overtaken by the Edge and the Flex just based on MPG alone! It is a shame that we are being forced into these small vehicles against our will, because the current Explorer is the best overall to date! Edited December 27, 2007 by Furious1Auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 No the cost of fuel will, it is a shame too because it had a chasis upgrade in 2006 that entailed a totally boxed frame. It is the best version of the Explorer to date as far as capability, but if there is no stability of fuel prices and if they cannot be reduced than it is/will be overtaken by the Edge and the Flex just based on MPG alone! It is a shame that we are being forced into these small vehicles against our will, because the current Explorer is the best overall to date! It'd be nice if Ford was able to get the 3.5L V6 in there to replace the 4.0L (I believe it is), that would help fuel economy problems somewhat, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPony Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 What about a diesel? Not everybody wants or needs blistering acceleration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furious1Auto Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 (edited) What about a diesel? Not everybody wants or needs blistering acceleration. Depends on the MPG remember deisel costs more than gas again! Can Ford build a diesels that either yeilds good enough MPG to justify the purchase, or sell them cheaper than gas models to have the cheaper MSRP offset the cost of owning one! Edited December 27, 2007 by Furious1Auto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 What about a diesel? Not everybody wants or needs blistering acceleration. I don't know much about any future product info, except for what I read on here, but I'm not sure if a diesel option come down the pipeline eventually, but IMO, I think it might be a good idea. With a diesel most likely coming to the Expedition from the F-150 as well and Ford leveraging it's global resources, it'd only make sense that a diesel would/could become available on an Explorer in the near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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