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2000 sales: 445,000 - 2007 sales: 137,813...hoping the unibody and turbocharger greatly improves FE (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22686021/)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/exploder.jpgMatt Vella - Business Week - Jan 16, 2008

Ford Motor is trying to jump-start one of its most iconic models. On Jan. 13 at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the embattled Detroit automaker took the wraps off an all-new concept, the Explorer America. The prototype vehicle is a tease of what the future might hold for a once popular SUV, sales of which have cratered thanks to rising fuel prices, safety problems, and buyers' growing environmental concerns.

Though designed to look like a rough-and-tumble SUV, the new Explorer America is built on a carlike unibody frame rather than a traditional truck frame. This setup, commonly referred to as a crossover, drastically improves fuel economy, drivability, and safety. Marisa Bradley, a Ford spokeswoman, says the new vehicle is also intended to serve as a "poster child" for the company's recently announced line of so-called EcoBoost engines, which further improve fuel economy via turbo boosting and direct injection technology. All told, the combination of smaller size and high-tech engine should give the Explorer America a 20% to 30% hike in fuel efficiency over today's version.

The current Explorer is in desperate need of an intervention. Once a darling with the SUV-crazed American public, in recent years it has become an automotive pariah. In 2000, Ford sold more than 445,000 Explorers. In 2007, it sold just 137,813, down 23% from the preceding year, according to data provided by Automotive News. The Explorer has also suffered from a protracted rollover controversy that forced Ford to pay out millions of dollars in legal settlements…http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22686021/

I like the changes they've made to this explorer. I don't care much for the engine, they should have spent more time doing a diesel so they could have blown away the numbers from the tahoe hybrid.

I had an Explorer years ago, and I loved it. Of course, I was much younger then and gas was only $1.35/gallon. I'd rather drive a Ford than a GM in the future. Unless the Volt actually makes it to production, but that's another thread.

chuck, you forgot the option for those of us who would answer.......if i were considering an SUV i would have myself committed......

chuck, you forgot the option for those of us who would answer.......if i were considering an SUV i would have myself committed......Check the URL of the article picture - did I misspell it? :D

chuck, you forgot the option for those of us who would answer.......if i were considering an SUV i would have myself committed......

Or, my friends and family would have me Baker acted...

chuck, you forgot the option for those of us who would answer.......if i were considering an SUV i would have myself committed......

Good reply, SON! :bananalama:


I did not vote, for I could not think of any scenario that would prompt me to buy either that or the Tahoe "hybrid". Here's why.

1. By 2011 gas will be so expensive that only people needing a vehicle that offers superior cargo or towing capability for job purposes would buy something like that, and it don't fill the bill.

2. The thinking here is that we can still have our beer with the head on the bottom, we can still have a suv cause it gets 30% better MPG. THe answer is no, you cant. By that time most all of us will be using very energy efficient cars for most of our sojurns. I will probably only be using my 4 Runner for special occasions (OF COURSE I will still have it!!).

The thing that truly amazes me is how the big 3 cling to their dinosaurs.