Autoblog

REPORT: Ford loses appeal in rollover case, must pay $55M

Chris Shunk — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Safety, Ford

According to The Detroit News, the Supreme Court has let stand a ruling that Ford Motor Company is at fault for a 2002 rollover crash involving a 1997 Ford Explorer and the Dearborn, MI-based automaker must pay $55 million in punitive damages. Benetta Buell-Wilson's Explorer rolled over four-and-a-half times after she swerved to avoid debris. When the roof collapsed on her neck, it severed her spinal cord and left her paralyzed.

Ford unsuccessfully argued that it shouldn't be punished due to the fact that the Explorer complied with federal safety standards when it was built. Buell-Wilson was originally awarded $369 million in damages, but a pair of California courts cut down the total value of damages to $82.6 million.

[Source: The Detroit News]

REPORT: Ford loses appeal in rollover case, must pay $55M originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford unveils industry's first* production inflatable seat belts [w/VIDEO]

John Neff — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Crossover, Ford

Ford's Inflatable Seat Belts - Click above for high-res image gallery

They started out in our steering wheels before taking up residence across the dash. They then migrated to the side of our vehicles and grew to be full-sized curtains. Automakers seem to stick them everywhere, so where else can airbags go to protect our fleshy, organic bodies when metal meets metal in an accident? Ford has the answer: seatbelts.

Today Ford is introducing the auto industry's first* inflatable seat belts, which are scheduled to enter production in 2010 on the next-generation Ford Explorer before being offered across its global lineup. They're designed for rear-seat occupants only (front passengers already have a plethora of airbags) and, in the event of a frontal or side impact, will inflate the belt across a passenger's chest in 40 milliseconds. When expanded, the belt cover five times more surface area of the body than a normal seat belt, which helps better distribute the forces of a crash.

The mechanics of Ford's inflatable belt system use cold compressed gas to inflate the bags, unlike traditional airbags that rely on a heat-generating chemical reaction. The seat belt bags also inflate slower and to a lower pressure than a traditional airbag, mainly because they don't have to cover the distance between the passenger and an object (steering wheel, dash).

This isn't the first time we've heard about Ford's inflatable seat belts. The automaker has been working on the idea for several years and revealed their intentions right before the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. Unfortunately, Ford may not be the first to market with the idea. The Lexus LFA, also set to enter production next year, features an SRS seatbelt airbag as well. We don't know if the next-gen Explorer will beat the LFA to dealer showrooms yet, but Ford can at least take pride in knowing that its technology will be protecting more than just 500 lives.

UPDATE: Videos added after the jump.

Gallery: Ford's Inflatable Seat Belts

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford unveils industry's first* production inflatable seat belts [w/VIDEO]

Ford unveils industry's first* production inflatable seat belts [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Are you the future unibody Ford Explorer?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Ford

Ford Explorer spy photos - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford seems to really like crossover vehicles. The Blue Oval lineup already sports the Escape, Edge and Flex, and within a year or so a unibody version of the Explorer will join the car-based utility party. And now we have more spy photos of what appears to be a next-generation Explorer mule disguised as a Taurus X Flex science experiment - most notable common features being an unexplained missing bar in the grille and an ill-fitting tailgate.

Gmfan1111 over at FoMoCoNews s forums says he spotted the mule outside of Ford's proving grounds, and he snapped three pics before losing the cobbled-together tester due to bad weather. Like the previous photos we've seen, the mule has a Flex-derived front end and from the A-pillar back it looks like a Taurus X. The new mule photos show yet another missing bar on the Flex front grille. We have no idea why the bar is missing, but one of the commenters on the FoMoCo forums guessed that the missing bar could be for feeding more air into an EcoBoost engine. Works for us.

The Ford Explorer America concept unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in 2008 looked wide and very SUV-like, and the large gaps on either side of the Taurus X tailgate shows that the new Explorer will likely be quite a bit wider. Click on the gallery below to get a closer look at these latest spy photos. Hat tip to Colby!

Gallery: Ford Explorer Mule

[Source: FordMotorCompanyNews]

Spy Shots: Are you the future unibody Ford Explorer? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ford Explorer suit draws to close; lawyers big winners, plaintiffs less so

Michael Harley — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Government/Legal, Safety, Ford, Earnings/Financials

As another costly Ford Explorer rollover lawsuit finally bogs to a close, the attorneys have again emerged standing on top of the flotsam. This suit, filed in California on behalf of consumers in four states who leased or bought 1991 to 2001 Ford Explorers, alleged the rollover problems associated with their vehicles diminished resale values (the lawsuit excluded personal injuries or wrongful death claims). The final settlement, authorized by a Sacramento County Superior Court Judge, awarded each of the class members $500 discount coupons towards the purchase of a new Ford SUV, or $300 towards another Ford vehicle.

While the attorneys argued the lawsuit was valued at $500 million (assuming that nearly one million consumers would flock to dealerships and cash-in those nifty coupons for new Fords), the settlement is really only costing the automaker about $27 million. All told, the attorneys will pocket an impressive $25 million of the bounty, while another $950,000 is donated to the Automotive Safety Research Institute for "research into protecting passengers in rollover accidents." The balance (at most $846,500) will go to the 1,693 class members who applied for the $500 certificates before the April 2008 cutoff. In case you were wondering... as of this June, only 75 of the vouchers ($37,500 worth) had been redeemed.

[Source: The Associated Press (via Yahoo) | Image: Alex Wong/Getty]

REPORT: Ford Explorer suit draws to close; lawyers big winners, plaintiffs less so originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Ford to nix Explorer Sport Trac, Mercury Mountaineer

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Ford

Anyone who actually wants a Ford Explorer Sport Trac had better go out and grab one now because they won't be around much longer. As production of the the current body-on-frame Explorer winds down in the coming months, the pickup bed version and the rebadged Mercury Mountaineer will breathe their last breath. Sometime in 2010 a new unibody Explorer based on the Flex/Taurus platform will debut and an open bed version will not be part of the lineup.

With total Explorer sales down to just 78,439 in 2008, including the Sport Trac, and those numbers down by half again this year, the number of Sport Tracs sold simply doesn't justify developing a new one. At its peak when Ford was moving some 400,000 Explorers annually, about 60,000 were Sport Tracs. This year the number is likely to be 10,000 or less.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

REPORT: Ford to nix Explorer Sport Trac, Mercury Mountaineer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: NHTSA investigating if 2002-05 Ford Explorers/Mercury Mountaineers can slip out of park

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Recalls, Safety, Ford, Mercury

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has begun looking at Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers from the 2002-2005 model years. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, out of some 1.4 million SUVs produced, more than 200 complaints have been filed with the government agency regarding transmission issues: 11 owners have said that the vehicle will go from park to reverse on its own, and 61 have said that the gearshift mechanism has failed when trying to get the SUV into or out of park.

NHTSA's action isn't a full-on investigation, and there is no recall - it is a "preliminary evaluation... to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences of the alleged defect and any relationship of the alleged gearshift lever mechanism failures to the alleged vehicle rollaway incidents." For its part, a Ford spokesman has said, "We do not see a safety risk and we will be fully cooperating with the government with the investigation."

[Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution]

REPORT: NHTSA investigating if 2002-05 Ford Explorers/Mercury Mountaineers can slip out of park originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-gen unibody Ford Explorer mules caught

John Neff — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:41:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of next-gen unibody Explorer spy shots

Our spy photographers have noticed a test mule running around Detroit, and we agree with their guess that it's the upcoming reinvention of the Ford Explorer on a unibody platform. Since its inception, the Explorer has been a true SUV built on a sturdy truck frame, but the market has turned its back on traditional SUVs, so Ford came up with the Explorer America concept that debuted at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The concept previews the vehicle you see here, though current mules for the production version are cobbled together with bits of Taurus X and Flex body panels.

The new Explorer will be ditching its truckish roots and climbing onboard a new car-based platform that's shared with the Flex. The new unibody structure will effectively make the next Explorer a large CUV rather than an SUV. The mules are wearing a Flex front end with a modified lower grille to allow more cooling air to reach the engine, but after the more steeply raked A-pillar we find the body of a Ford Taurus X. Our spies note that the wheelbase of these mules appears to be shorter than that of the Flex, though we expect the new Explorer to sport a third row of seats regardless. The mules also appear to be wider than a Taurus X or Flex, which is fitting with the SUV image the new Explorer must project. Click the gallery below for more spy shots of the next-gen Explorer, that should be arriving sometime in 2010.

Gallery: Ford Explorer Unibody - spy shots

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Next-gen unibody Ford Explorer mules caught originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford cuts inspired by Honda

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Crossover, Ford, Honda, Earnings/Financials

Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford Explorer America Concept

For years, the success of vehicles such as the Ford F-Series pickups and Explorer SUV kept the Blue Oval brand from improving its line of mostly uncompetitive sedans. Automakers like Honda, though, never went the way of body-on-frame trucks and SUVs, preferring instead to continually improve its range of cars and crossover utility vehicles. That strategy is paying dividends in these days of high fuel prices, and Ford has taken notice. Asked whether he would prefer a more car-oriented model-mix, like that of Honda or Toyota, CEO Alan Mullaly recently answered, "Absolutely. We just don't have enough of those small or medium-sized vehicles yet, and that's what we need to concentrate on." Of course, all is not lost. As Automotive News points out, Ford has a new F-150 on the horizon, which is likely to improve its sales somewhat, and the brand as a whole has sold 647,140 vehicles, placing it well above Honda through April. Profitability, on the other hand, is another matter entirely.

[Source: Automotive News]

Ford cuts inspired by Honda originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 May 2008 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2008: Evolving the Explorer - Ford Explorer America concept LIVE

Damon Lavrinc — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, SUV, Crossover, Ford

Update: Video of the Explorer America concept reveal is available after the jump.

click above for morel live images of the Ford Explorer America Concept

The unveiling of Ford's Explorer America concept might finally prove that the end of the SUV era is upon us. FoMoCo's stalwart 'ute has left the body-on-frame world and joined the ranks of crossovers that - if you believe the hype - are quickly filling up the SUV-sized vacuum left in garages across the country.

On the outside, Ford decided to keep several of the design cues that have defined the Explorer over the years, simply smoothing the edges, raising the belt line and giving it a healthy injection of futuristic lines that would make it a shoe-in as Robocop's next black-and-white cruiser. The sliding door on the passenger side might not make it to production, but it would be a smart addition to bridge the gap between machismo and minivan.

Check out our previous post for all the details on the Ford Explorer America.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Explorer America Concept - Live Reveal

Gallery: Detroit 2008: Ford Explorer America concept

Continue reading Detroit 2008: Evolving the Explorer - Ford Explorer America concept LIVE

Detroit 2008: Evolving the Explorer - Ford Explorer America concept LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda to double North American production of the CR-V

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Honda

Recently, Honda has had issues with keeping supply and demand in check with its newest products. Waiting lists for everything from the Civic Si to the Honda Fit have become bones of contention with consumers, and the recently redesigned Honda CR-V was among them earlier this year. Sales of Honda's cute 'ute have been on an upwards trajectory during 2007, with over 167,000 units sold thus far -- a 44-percent jump over the previous year. Analysts contend that buyers who used to flock to the Ford Explorer are now looking at smaller, more fuel-efficient offerings, bolstering sales of the CR-V along with Toyota's RAV4.

Honda is constantly trying to keep a balance between imported and domestically made products, so it's considering doubling the North American production of the CR-V. The move would come at a perfect time, as CR-V sales have officially eclipsed sales of the Explorer, the U.S.'s best selling SUV for 14 years.

[Source: Detroit News]

Honda to double North American production of the CR-V originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: 1998 Saleen Explorer XP8

John Neff — Fri, 18 May 2007 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Auctions, Ford

Here's another one of those eBay finds that makes us reach for our wallets. It's a rare 1998 Saleen Explorer XP8, the famous Ford tuner's first foray into the world of SUVs. While some might argue that performance tuning should never be applied to these beasts of burden, Saleen went the extra mile to tap every ounce of the Explorer's potential. Saleen's tuned Explorer could be had with a 4.0L V6, the famous 5.0L V8 once used in the Mustang, or a supercharged version of the 5.0 making 268-horsepower. It appears our eBay find carries the naturally aspirated 5.0, which is just fine. It's backed up by a Racecraft suspension that lowers the SUV a full two inches, which tucks the sharp 18-inch Saleen wheels made out of magnesium tightly into the fenders. Like any Saleen, the XP8 sports a full signature Saleen body kit with a rear spoiler balanced at the top of the rear hatch. The Explorer wears its new suit well, and proudly proclaims its origin with a pair of Saleen graphics above the rocker panels. eBay item #290115445535 ends in just 6 hours or so, and the price for this prime example with only 45,567 miles is $11,600. The reserve has not been met, which doesn't surprise us. While not a top of the line supercharged Saleen XP8, this example nonetheless appears to be in pristine condition (as much as one can tell from pictures).

[Source: eBay]

eBay Find of the Day: 1998 Saleen Explorer XP8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 May 2007 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explorer develops a superiority complex

Alex Nunez — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Ford

In Japan, there are four trim levels in the Ford Explorer lineup: XLT, Eddie Bauer, Limited, and the just-announced Superior.

The deal with the Explorer Superior is pretty simple. Basically, it's a loaded Explorer Limited that gets a real wood center console and door pulls, custom floormats, model-specific badges, and chromed sideview mirrors with built in turn signals. Black and gold are the only color selections, and there are two options for the interior leather/wood combo.

The big chrome grille up front has "SUPERIOR" emblazoned across its width, letting less-informed motorists know they're in the presence of a ¥7,000,000 SUV. At the current exchange rate, that's roughly $61,000 USD -- a huge sum even when you consider that the Explorer is a more expensive vehicle in Japan to begin with.

With the almost-identical Limited and well-appointed Eddie Bauer also available, one wonders just how many people will actually pony up the extra cash to feel "Superior" behind the wheel.

(Interior pic after the jump)

[Source: Ford Japan (translated)]

Continue reading Explorer develops a superiority complex

Explorer develops a superiority complex originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Jul 2006 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explorer and Mountaineer earn NHTSA's highest crash test ratings

John Neff — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, SUV

The 2006 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer, which were heavily revised this year, have earned five-star crash ratings in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's front and side impact crash tests for drivers and passengers. Each SUV features a package of 10 standard safety features from Ford, seven that are all new to the mid-size SUV class. (See after the jump for a list of all ten)

Many comments left on our current Autoblog Garage reviews (here and here) of the 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4 focus on the SUVs dated looks compared with its competitors. We agree that the exterior redesign leaves a lot to be desired, like a modern and attractive appearance, but more and more we're convinced the Explorer is the mid-size, body-on-frame SUV to beat when looks aren't factored in.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Explorer and Mountaineer earn NHTSA's highest crash test ratings

Explorer and Mountaineer earn NHTSA's highest crash test ratings originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2006 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4: In the Autoblog Garage Day 3-4

John Neff — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, SUV

One great thing about the way we review vehicles is that we get to read all of your comments and address some of them in the second and third parts of our reviews. Russell left a particularly enlightening comment in our first post on the 2006 Ford Explorer that sums up many of our feelings on the 2006 Explorer: "As the number of different models in the market continues to proliferate, vehicles like the jack of all trades Explorer become more focused; in this case, on the powerful psuedo luxurious tow/haul niche. It'll never sell in the volumes it used to and I think that's in large part by Ford's own choosing."

We couldn't have said that better ourselves, and as evidence we'd like to present the Explorer's new interior. It's more luxurious, more soft-to-the-touch and features more amenities that any of its forbearers, which suggests to us that Ford has deliberately gone and driven its number one selling SUV upmarket.

Continue reading 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4: In the Autoblog Garage Day 3-4

2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4: In the Autoblog Garage Day 3-4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4: In the Autoblog Garage Day 1-2

John Neff — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, SUV

"All dressed up and nowhere to go" might best describe the situation in which the 2006 Ford Explorer found itself when it appeared in showrooms last year. The not-quite "all new" model had donned a new sheetmetal suit to attract suitors, and underneath the skin it received upgrades that improved the power, fuel economy and refinement of this SUV all-star.

Despite critics heaping praise on the new Explorer, it's being stood up by consumers. Though Ford had hoped the 2006 model would lift the SUV's sagging sales in 2005, the year ended with 99,545 fewer Explorers sold than in 2004, a drop of 29.3 percent.

What happened? Why has this SUV archetype begun to fall out of favor with the very suburban clientele that made it a sales superstar? We'll examine why in our three-part review of the 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4, beginning after the jump.

Continue reading 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4: In the Autoblog Garage Day 1-2

2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4: In the Autoblog Garage Day 1-2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2006 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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