Explorer being evaluated for RHD

[Bossxr8]

Seven-seat Explorer could fill gap in Ford’s line-up as Toyota Kluger rival




Ford logo16 Jan 2018

By TIM NICHOLSON in Detroit





FORD executives have confirmed that the Explorer could return to Australian showrooms with the company exploring the viability of producing the next-generation large seven-seat SUV in right-hand drive.

While the next-gen version of the big SUV is yet to be seen, it is expected to make its debut this year and go on sale Stateside in 2019.

Speaking to Australian journalists at this week’s Detroit motor show, Ford Motor Company executive vice-president of product development and purchasing Hau Thai-Tang said there “absolutely” was an opportunity for the next-generation Explorer to be a global, rather than US-focused model.

“We are selling it in other markets, we have it in Russia,” he said. “I think the Australian market would be a good market for it. In other markets it is just a little bit big in terms of width. But I know our team in Europe have been really keen to explore that beyond the Russian market.

“There is nothing to announce yet. We are always looking at opportunities.”

The executive that oversees the Australian market, Ford Motor Company group vice-president and president of Ford Asia Pacific Peter Fleet, said he was keen to expand the global reach of the Explorer.

“I would love to have wider availability of Explorer,” he told Australian journalists at the Detroit show. “It is a power brand globally, Explorer. Even in markets we haven’t sold Explorer, people know what that is. Within our company it is such a strong product and I would love that opportunity.”

Asked whether there was a chance the next-gen version would be built in right-hand drive, Mr Fleet said he would support it and highlighted the strategy that led to the Mustang sportscar becoming a global model in its current generation.

“I have got nothing to announce today, but we would love to. Is there an opportunity for that vehicle in UK and Ireland? It was the big leap we made with Mustang, to say that there was a big enough opportunity with right-hand drive. Plus the … positive impact on the brand.

“And at that time the company made the leap and said ‘ok yes we are going to go global on Mustang’. That is the kind of decision we would need to make with Explorer as well.

“And I will be frank, we have not made that decision. Might we make that decision? Well yeah it is possible. If I get my business case lined up, I would love to be able to globalise the Explorer proposition.”

If it gets the green light for right-hook production it would bolster Ford Australia’s SUV line-up and give it a seven-seat soft-roader to compete with the Mazda CX-9, Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento and upcoming Holden Acadia.

Ford currently sells the Everest seven-seater in Australia, but it is built on a ladder-frame, pick-up-based chassis unlike the softer models in the segment that are monocoque.

Later this year Ford will introduce the Edge-based Endura large SUV to Australia, however it will be a five-seat offering powered exclusively by a diesel powertrain.

The truck-based second- and third-generation Explorer was sold in Australia between 1996 and 2007 but it was never a strong seller. The fourth- and current fifth-generation models were not produced in right-hand drive and the Explorer has since moved to a monocoque chassis.

https://www.goauto.com.au/future-mod...-16/68921.html

[Ben73]

The new Explorer looks so good. It's gotta be better than the Endura.
Ford has the Small SUVs covered with the Ecosport and Escape.
Now cover the mid- large segmant with an Explorer as an onroad focus SUV and Everest for offroad focus SUV
Like the Kluger vs the Prado

[jpd80]

A reliable source has shared that two hand built Next Gen RWD Explorers
emerged from the prototype plant in Detroit in the last week or so....

Scant details yet but maybe first showing of CD6.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by jpd80

A reliable source has shared that two hand built Next Gen RWD Explorers
emerged from the prototype plant in Detroit in the last week or so....

Scant details yet but maybe first showing of CD6.

RWD Explorer? Are they following in the Territory's footsteps and offering RWD or AWD. The current gen Explorer is more than adequate as a Territory replacement. Much better drive than the thai Everest or the lame Endura

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

RWD Explorer? Are they following in the Territory's footsteps and offering RWD or AWD. The current gen Explorer is more than adequate as a Territory replacement. Much better drive than the thai Everest or the lame Endura

So you’ve driven the 2019 Edge / Endura ?

Well done, you must have some good inside knowledge.

[Vesper Martini]

I don't know why people don't seem to get that the Edge / Endura is bigger than the Ecosport and Escape.
Its a Kluger sized competitor minus 7 seats!!

The current Explorer is a much bigger vehicle, I sat in one on a recent trip to Vietnam.
I absolutely loved it & would love to see them here, but you need to look at what its closest competitor for size and features and IMO that's the Range Rover.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by jpd80

A reliable source has shared that two hand built Next Gen RWD Explorers
emerged from the prototype plant in Detroit in the last week or so....

Scant details yet but maybe first showing of CD6.

Yes well the current one is FWD/AWD there was talk about the next gen switching to a new D6 platform RWD based
https://www.cnet.com/forums/discussi...9-ford-explor/

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

So you’ve driven the 2019 Edge / Endura ?

Well done, you must have some good inside knowledge.

Drove the Edge in USA does that count ?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Yes well the current one is FWD/AWD there was talk about the next gen switching to a new D6 platform RWD based
https://www.cnet.com/forums/discussi...9-ford-explor/

It's more than talk with sources that have relatives as engineers on the project,
but probably still too early see any comment during this NAIAS season.

Also, Ford wouldn't consider a RHD Explorer so late in D4 FWD/AWD Product cycle,
any decision would be next generation vehicle.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Drove the Edge in USA does that count ?

2019 Aus spec ?

Well done you must be a real insider

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

RWD Explorer? Are they following in the Territory's footsteps and offering RWD or AWD. The current gen Explorer is more than adequate as a Territory replacement. Much better drive than the thai Everest or the lame Endura

Can't see it being RWD. Most likely they will use the Fusion/Mondeo platform which would be FWD/AWD, just like it is now.

The Explorer is also much bigger than the Territory, it is in no way a replacement for Territory. It is in the next class size up.

[chevypower]

I have also read that the Explorer is going RWD, but I have also read that the decision was reversed, so nobody on the outside really knows. Hopefully it is and has all the tech that the Expedition does, just smaller.

[DFB FGXR6]

If Ford cant see the point in making the Mustang GT500 available to RHD markets, then I wouldn't be holding out on a return of the Explorer to Australia.

[stig_3754]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

If Ford cant see the point in making the Mustang GT500 available to RHD markets, then I wouldn't be holding out on a return of the Explorer to Australia.

Add to that the new Edge ST

[DFB FGXR6]

Its a joke.

Mustang GT350 and GT500
Edge ST
Mondeo/Fusion Sport

All performance cars. And apparently Ford are going to focus on performance cars for the Australian market.

[jmack]

Ford australias motto.youll get what we want to give when we want to give it

[stig_3754]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Its a joke.



Mustang GT350 and GT500

Edge ST

Mondeo/Fusion Sport



All performance cars. And apparently Ford are going to focus on performance cars for the Australian market.

Agreed. One Ford is working a treat as we can see, as long as you’re in the US market of course.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hackney]

Originally Posted by stig_3754

Agreed. One Ford is working a treat as we can see, as long as you’re in the US market of course.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We in Aus, do not seem revelent to Ford US any more.Cheers

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by jpd80

A reliable source has shared that two hand built Next Gen RWD Explorers
emerged from the prototype plant in Detroit in the last week or so....

Scant details yet but maybe first showing of CD6.

On some of the US truck YouTube sites it's been spotted road-testing.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by jmack

Ford australias motto.youll get what we want to give when we want to give it

Let's be fair, Ford Australia is now only an importer of cars and your phrase should read more like "we can ONLY give you what the parent company approves and has funded to be built, like rhd Mustang and rhd 5-seater Edge in diesel". Do you honestly think if every model globally built by Ford was available to them to sell that they would say no and just bring in what is approved or already here.

What we need to do as buyers IMHO is put pressure on the Federal government to drop as many adr's as possible or even adopt UK or Japanese regs completely, drop the compliance cost of bringing models into Australia, drop the luxury tax, and then say to all importers "if you choose not to bring in a particular spec of a model you sell here the buyer can order it from the UK or Japan" I know this needs to look at warranty as say an importer might say "that engine" wasn't durability tested fore conditions here and so we don't want to warranty it" but smarter minds can resolve this, maybe with a third party warranty/insurance setup dealing with the OS parent manufacturers. The carrot to the local importers is the offer of a massive drop in cost to get Aust. complianced models for our market.

[jmack]

i dont believe it a recent attitude change by ford .this goes back a long way with color,stripe,wheel choices etc.i remember back in the late 90s i went into holden to price a ute up and was able to option with all manner of things including the then hsv185kw motor,ford i was pushing to get a set of mats thrown in.even if the new explorer comes here it wont have an 8 in it so ill pass on this and when i decide to get rid of my current explorer i think it will be a srt jeep replacing it.i dont see what the big deal is between lhd rhd testing is if its a mirror image the results should be that close for the crash testing that its negligible.and as for reliability testing i think america would have the same if not more extreme weather possibilities

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

On some of the US truck YouTube sites it's been spotted road-testing.

Can you post a link?
A RWD Explorer will have a very different appearance, for starters the current model has the engine fitted transverse.

For RWD or RHD to be possible they would have needed to complete the new D6 platform
I'm not sure that's been done yet, or even finalised

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

If Ford cant see the point in making the Mustang GT500 available to RHD markets, then I wouldn't be holding out on a return of the Explorer to Australia.

You can't link the 2. GT500 would be a limited market at a above 100k price. Explorer would be more mass market appeal and half that price.

But it is complete garbage that we have been the Mustangs no 1 export market but instead of rewarding us with new models that will increase sales for the company, they say too bad the Bullitt, GT500 etc are for us only and you can all get stuffed.

One Ford, but only if it suits North America

[Adamz Ghia]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

You can't link the 2. GT500 would be a limited market at a above 100k price. Explorer would be more mass market appeal and half that price.

But it is complete garbage that we have been the Mustangs no 1 export market but instead of rewarding us with new models that will increase sales for the company, they say too bad the Bullitt, GT500 etc are for us only and you can all get stuffed.

One Ford, but only if it suits North America

Could they partner with Tickford again? I know it wouldn’t be the same as from the factory but it’d be better than a boot in the bum.

[JGP]

After having a solid reliable terri for 9yrs .I definitely would've considered that explorer as replacement...CX9 was the only suv I liked at the 50k pricepoint.

[janddbone]

Other than Mustang, 'One Ford' has provided us with little, plus we have lost local vehicles and production. I would still say we are in the negative... Hopefull 'Two Fords', which now seems to be LHD and RHD, will end soon and we see Explorer, F series and new Continental in particular. Assuming Ford abandon non Lincoln large sedans as they seem to be hinting....

[malazn mafia]

Are there any shops that will do Explorer current gen from LHD to RHD if money is no object? How about other obstacles like crash certification, compliance etc etc

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by JGP

After having a solid reliable terri for 9yrs .I definitely would've considered that explorer as replacement...CX9 was the only suv I liked at the 50k pricepoint.

Unfortunately Explorer wouldn't be at the same price point, I would expect the base model to be upwards of 60K once landed here.

People were moaned at the 85K price tag of the Everest Titanium, what do they think the top model Explorer would be worth?

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

I don't know why people don't seem to get that the Edge / Endura is bigger than the Ecosport and Escape.
Its a Kluger sized competitor minus 7 seats!!

The current Explorer is a much bigger vehicle, I sat in one on a recent trip to Vietnam.
I absolutely loved it & would love to see them here, but you need to look at what its closest competitor for size and features and IMO that's the Range Rover.

Why do Ford need three different 5 seat SUV's when they only have four SUVs in their lineup?
What about someone who wants a 7 seater but won't be going off road much? They might not want an Everest. The Everest isn't very big for a 7 seater either. It's tall, but the body size isn't that big.

A number of car companies now sell six different SUVs in Australia.
If Ford want 'only' four SUVs I would have thought a 7 seat road based one would be one of them.
The Explorer is a pretty similar size to a CX9 and Nissan Pathfinder.

I live in a new housing estate with lots of young Families. 7 Seat SUVs are everywhere. Pathfinders, CX9's, Kluger's and Prado's are pretty popular. No one has an Everest from what I have seen.

But obviously Ford knows best. We will see how the Endura sells.
Maybe both the Eundra and Explorer would be nice side by side in the Ford lineup.... oneford. Wishful thinking though.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

Could they partner with Tickford again? I know it wouldn’t be the same as from the factory but it’d be better than a boot in the bum.

Why spend money developing these when they could have models direct from the factory?