Car-Based Explorer?

There was a report in this morning's paper saying that Ford will
change the Explorer to a car-based vehicle at the next major update in
three years. It said that the new Explorer would be based on the same
platform as the 500 and Freestyle. This sounds like the plan is to do
a major upgrade to the Freestyle and call it an Explorer. It seems
reasonable given the plunging sales figures for the Explorer and
Freestyle. Could be the plan is to sell Expeditions to those wanting
a truck base.

Anyone have more information about this?

Sounds redundant with the new "EDGE".

"Big Shoe" > wrote in message
...
> There was a report in this morning's paper saying that Ford will
> change the Explorer to a car-based vehicle at the next major update in
> three years. It said that the new Explorer would be based on the same
> platform as the 500 and Freestyle. This sounds like the plan is to do
> a major upgrade to the Freestyle and call it an Explorer. It seems
> reasonable given the plunging sales figures for the Explorer and
> Freestyle. Could be the plan is to sell Expeditions to those wanting
> a truck base.
>
> Anyone have more information about this?

Big Shoe wrote:
> There was a report in this morning's paper saying that Ford will
> change the Explorer to a car-based vehicle at the next major update in
> three years. It said that the new Explorer would be based on the same
> platform as the 500 and Freestyle. This sounds like the plan is to do
> a major upgrade to the Freestyle and call it an Explorer. It seems
> reasonable given the plunging sales figures for the Explorer and
> Freestyle. Could be the plan is to sell Expeditions to those wanting
> a truck base.
>
> Anyone have more information about this?

Gaak! I pull a 3500-pound camper trailer, and I love my '02 Explorer
(first year of the previous major upgrade) for that use. My plan has
always been to buy another Explorer after the next big model change. I
can't wait to see what the 3-valve engine and the 6-speed transmission
do for me! But it sounds like I better buy the last model of the current
iteration. I sure as hell don't want a car-based SUV.

When is this scheduled to happen? The 2009 model? 2010 model? Do you
have a link to the story, or to any information on the rumor? Naturally
the Ford website doesn't say a thing that's meaningful.

Bill

Don't have any additional information, I was hoping that someone in
the group would know more about it. With Ford in such desperate
shape, it's hard to tell what might happen.

On Sat, 27 Jan 2007 09:01:45 -0700, Bill Jeffrey
> wrote:

>Big Shoe wrote:
>> There was a report in this morning's paper saying that Ford will
>> change the Explorer to a car-based vehicle at the next major update in
>> three years. It said that the new Explorer would be based on the same
>> platform as the 500 and Freestyle. This sounds like the plan is to do
>> a major upgrade to the Freestyle and call it an Explorer. It seems
>> reasonable given the plunging sales figures for the Explorer and
>> Freestyle. Could be the plan is to sell Expeditions to those wanting
>> a truck base.
>>
>> Anyone have more information about this?
>
>Gaak! I pull a 3500-pound camper trailer, and I love my '02 Explorer
>(first year of the previous major upgrade) for that use. My plan has
>always been to buy another Explorer after the next big model change. I
>can't wait to see what the 3-valve engine and the 6-speed transmission
>do for me! But it sounds like I better buy the last model of the current
>iteration. I sure as hell don't want a car-based SUV.
>
>When is this scheduled to happen? The 2009 model? 2010 model? Do you
>have a link to the story, or to any information on the rumor? Naturally
>the Ford website doesn't say a thing that's meaningful.
>
>Bill

Here's a link to the article about the coming car-based Explorer

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...azPuZq h8IUe0

Big Shoe wrote:
> Here's a link to the article about the coming car-based Explorer
>
> http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...azPuZq h8IUe0

That sounds just like the Freestyle...

Ed

Big Shoe wrote:
> Here's a link to the article about the coming car-based Explorer
>
> http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...azPuZq h8IUe0

Thanks, Big Shoe.

Bill

That will be the end of Explorer as we know it. I just don't get it. They
already have Escape and now the new Edge. Converting the Freestyle into an
Explorer (which is really what they will be doing) is redundant and total
sales will bear that out. I'll miss our 2003 Mercury Mountaineer, but not
the 13MPG fillups. It's tolerable at $2 or even $2.25/gallon, but the
UNCERTAINTY of $3+ gas would stop me from buying another. We'll keep this
one a few more years then probably get a RAV4 or CRV.

"C. E. White" > wrote in message
news:45be0941$1@kcnews01...
> Big Shoe wrote:
>> Here's a link to the article about the coming car-based Explorer
>>
>> http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...azPuZq h8IUe0
>
> That sounds just like the Freestyle...
>
> Ed
>