2011 Ford Explorer Raises XSUV Bar - Explorer Reinvented
The 2011 Ford Explorer is the latest iteration of the Ford Explorer and arguably one of the most important. In many ways the Explorer launched the popular use sport utility vehicle market in the USA when it introduced the 4-door Explorer in 1991. Previously, 4-door SUVs had been either Jeep Cherokees, the occasional Japanese entry and Chevrolet/GMC Suburbans. With the introduction of the Explorer the growth in the SUV market skyrocketed until almost one in four vehicles sold in the USA was an SUV of one type or another. In its heyday, Explorer was counted among the top five best selling vehicles in the USA and in its top year sold almost 450,000 units.

Until the new Explorer, the Explorer had been very much a two box SUV designed to move five (and later seven) people comfortably. While Explorer was an "SUV" it was a pretty mild one. It was known for being easy to live with but not for its prowess off-road. Ford never pretended the Explorer had the off-road chops of a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
EcoBoost 4-Cylinder OPTIONAL Powertrain The base engine for the Explorer is the 3.5L V6 with 290-horsepower. This engine is expected to be in 75% of Explorers sold. The extra cost optional powertrain is the 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine with 237-horsepower. This is an unusual pricing strategy for any manufacturer - giving LESS FOR MORE. Of course, Ford will position the EcoBoost 4 as the high technology, high fuel economy alternative that is worth more. Well, we'll be watching this one closely because Americans usually don't buy less for more and many still believe the adage "There is no replacement for displacement."
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Don Butler, Vice President of Cadillac Marketing took the gathered press through where Cadillac is and where Cadillac plans to be in the future. Bold, product-oriented positioning will have Cadillac going head-to-head against Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Lexus was added as an afterthought. 







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