Ford to offer extended Expedition this fall - They just keep making them bigger

[Itsme]

Ford to offer extended Expedition this fall

By AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

AutoWeek | Published 01/27/06, 11:56 am et

Ford puts the revamped full-sized Expedition SUV into showrooms this fall for the 2007 model year. The lineup will include an extended-length version, badged the Expedition EL, which is intended to better compete against the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL SUVs.

Exterior changes include a more pronounced grille that picks up the design theme from the Super Chief concept shown at the Detroit auto show. Ford says the new Expedition's frame is stiffer and the independent rear suspension is recalibrated for a smoother ride.

Under the hood is a 5.4-liter V-8 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Stability control is standard.

[LegendKiller]

They just don't get it.

[InfiniteNothing]

I think it's for families of 7-8 that don't like the image of the minivan.

[DarkFury]

Ahem... "Excursion" maybe? :shrug:

[Cubsfan]

They just don't get it.

Who? GM or the people that buy it?

[kgsilvas]

Ford makes lots of small cars with good gas mileage. I agree with IN, this is for big families. Also, they discontinued the Freestar van since the sales had dropped. Without the van, this vehicle is the only Ford that holds a crowd.

[LegendKiller]

Who? GM or the people that buy it?


The last uber-SUV that they sold failed miserably. Instead of putting R&D, marketing, and effort into craptastical SUV's that use huge engines they need to start getting smaller and more efficient. SUV sales suck. Large SUV sales suck even worse.

They are grasping for anything to prop up their sales. However, they are grasping at a losing proposition.

[DarkFury]

Ford makes lots of small cars with good gas mileage. I agree with IN, this is for big families. Also, they discontinued the Freestar van since the sales had dropped. Without the van, this vehicle is the only Ford that holds a crowd.
So Ford discontinued the "Econoline" series full size van and the Excursion? :shrug:

BTW... the Freestar is a "minivan" but it still shows as a 2006 model, but it's not the only Ford that holds a crowd of folks. :D

[Itsme]

Ford makes lots of small cars with good gas mileage. I agree with IN, this is for big families. Also, they discontinued the Freestar van since the sales had dropped. Without the van, this vehicle is the only Ford that holds a crowd.


Car News briefs: A reprieve for Ford's Freestyle

By AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. is saving the Ford Freestyle crossover from the scrap heap.

Last summer, Ford told suppliers it would drop the existing version of the Freestyle after the 2007 model year. At that time, a Ford source acknowledged that the current Freestyle would vanish but said that the nameplate would resurface on another vehicle at a later point.

But in the past few weeks, Ford has begun telling suppliers that the Freestyle will continue after all. Several suppliers confirmed that the Freestyle is back in the product cycle. The Freestyle, along with its sister cars, the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, will get a front-end facelift in the spring of 2007.

[kgsilvas]

Car News briefs: A reprieve for Ford's Freestyle By AUTOMOTIVE NEWS DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. is saving the Ford Freestyle crossover from the scrap heap. Last summer, Ford told suppliers it would drop the existing version of the Freestyle after the 2007 model year. At that time, a Ford source acknowledged that the current Freestyle would vanish but said that the nameplate would resurface on another vehicle at a later point. But in the past few weeks, Ford has begun telling suppliers that the Freestyle will continue after all. Several suppliers confirmed that the Freestyle is back in the product cycle. The Freestyle, along with its sister cars, the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, will get a front-end facelift in the spring of 2007.
Thanks Itsme, but this is about the FreeSTYLE, which is their crossover vehicle. (Think Dodge Magnum or many AWD Subarus.) The Freestar is their minivan that Motor Trend predicted (http://www.motortrend.com/features/news/2006/112_news55/) Ford was going to announce was being eliminated.

DF is right though, seems like a longer Expedition is about like the Excursion.

[Itsme]

Thanks Itsme, but this is about the FreeSTYLE, which is their crossover vehicle. (Think Dodge Magnum or many AWD Subarus.) The Freestar is their minivan that Motor Trend predicted (http://www.motortrend.com/features/news/2006/112_news55/) Ford was going to announce was being eliminated.

DF is right though, seems like a longer Expedition is about like the Excursion.

Ooops, got my Freeestyle and Freestar mixed up.

Gee, I wonder if consumers also got them mixed up. :)