Report: Ford Explorer orders nearly double expectations

[Haltech]

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Ford Explorer is a drastic departure from its predecessors, ditching body-on-frame construction in favor of a unibody structure, and sharing its platform with the Taurus sedan (as well as the Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT). This shift to a traditional crossover construction has not turned away buyers, however, and Ford reports that Explorer pre-orders have nearly doubled original projections.

According to The Detroit News, Ford has received roughly 15,000 orders for the 2011 Explorer. This includes about 3,000 retail and 7,500 dealer orders, as well as an additional 4,500 orders from companies.

Jason Mase, Ford's manager of utility vehicles, told The Detroit News that about 55 percent of buyers are opting for the trailer tow package, and 64 percent want all-wheel drive. Mase says that consumers don't really care if the vehicle is a crossover or an SUV, the major concern is that the vehicle fits their specific needs. So far, so good, and Ford expects this trend to continue after the Explorer officially hits dealerships in early 2011.


Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer Southern California Live Debut



Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: The Detroit News]Report: Ford Explorer orders nearly double expectations originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Nov 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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