Somebody help us!

[FLOffroad]

...So, I ventured on the Ford vehicles website today, and regulars know that there used to be "Cars," "Crossovers," "SUVs," "Trucks," "Hybrids" and "All vehicles" tabs.

Well, now.... they've joined two of them and there is now just a "Crossovers & SUVs" tab.
While some may think of this as nothing, I definitely think this is a sign of the worst, if it can get worse.

Depressing times.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I'm going to go out and buy some canned peaches...

 

[BigRondo]

going to the country gonna eat a lot of peaches :

 

[Joe Dirt]

 

[FLOffroad]

... interesting...

 

[SGM]

...So, I ventured on the Ford vehicles website today, and regulars know that there used to be "Cars," "Crossovers," "SUVs," "Trucks," "Hybrids" and "All vehicles" tabs.

Well, now.... they've joined two of them and there is now just a "Crossovers & SUVs" tab.
While some may think of this as nothing, I definitely think this is a sign of the worst, if it can get worse.

Depressing times.

I've been away from the site for a while. Imagine my horror when I went by the Ford dealer and saw this new Explorer:thumbdwn: I thought it was one of those Freestyle things. Why did Ford let all these enviro-mentals turn a great "truck" into a station wagon. I better start shopping the used market before all the good 08 to 10's are gone.

p.s. can't wait to see that auto parking feature go haywire. Will be good for some laughs.....as long as it's not my vehicle it's bouncing off of.

 

[peterk9]

Why did Ford let all these enviro-mentals turn a great "truck" into a station wagon. I better start shopping the used market before all the good 08 to 10's are gone.

p.s. can't wait to see that auto parking feature go haywire. Will be good for some laughs.....as long as it's not my vehicle it's bouncing off of.

They changed it because that is what the market place has dictated. The percentage of buyers looking for a 'truck' type SUV is extremely small. Personally I like the 2011. I'm transferring the lease on my '09 Highlander Limited, with 2 1/2 years to go, to a friend and I've ordered the new Explorer. It was the Explorer's truck frame that pushed my to the Highlander 10 years ago. As far as the park assist going haywire, it seems to me I recall people saying the same thing when power windows were introduced.

 

[1tufgt]

I've been away from the site for a while. Imagine my horror when I went by the Ford dealer and saw this new Explorer:thumbdwn: I thought it was one of those Freestyle things. Why did Ford let all these enviro-mentals turn a great "truck" into a station wagon. I better start shopping the used market before all the good 08 to 10's are gone.

p.s. can't wait to see that auto parking feature go haywire. Will be good for some laughs.....as long as it's not my vehicle it's bouncing off of.

It wasn't environmentalist that made ford change the way the new explorer was designed. It was changed do to the demand from the customer base and what was going to sell and keep them in business of making vehicles.

People have a hard time realizing that you business don't market to the minority when selling products. It's all about what the "Masses" will buy that will keep you in business.

 

[thaywood]

They changed it because that is what the market place has dictated.

Why then, didn't Dodge, Jeep, Nissan, and Toyota change their RWD midsize SUV's to puny wrong-wheel-drive crossover station wagons?

It wasn't environmentalist that made ford change the way the new explorer was designed. It was changed do to the demand from the customer base and what was going to sell and keep them in business of making vehicles.

Ford has plenty of crossovers. Again, I refer to the above inquiry.

 

[peterk9]

Why then, didn't Dodge, Jeep, Nissan, and Toyota change their RWD midsize SUV's to puny wrong-wheel-drive crossover station wagons? Ford has plenty of crossovers. Again, I refer to the above inquiry.

Not familiar with the first 3 brands. As for Toyota, they actually have 2 mid size SUV's. The Highlander and 4Runner. The Highlander is actually the larger of the two. I believe that the 4Runner has a strong customer base and is an excellent off roader. The Highlander is also a top seller for those that want an AWD vehicle with moderate off road capability but do not want a truck based vehicle.
Again, Ford's market research indicated they had to make the change to meet consumer demand. That was also pointed out in one of the many reviews I read. Perhaps the research the others did, if any, didn't come to the same conclusion. You'll have to ask them.

 

[Andrey888]

Lawrence Ulrich’s Top 10 Cars of 2010.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/02/automobiles/02ULRICH.html?_r=1&ref=automobiles

 

[Andrey888]

фе

 

[thaywood]

Not familiar with the first 3 brands. As for Toyota, they actually have 2 mid size SUV's. The Highlander and 4Runner. The Highlander is actually the larger of the two. I believe that the 4Runner has a strong customer base and is an excellent off roader. The Highlander is also a top seller for those that want an AWD vehicle with moderate off road capability but do not want a truck based vehicle.
Again, Ford's market research indicated they had to make the change to meet consumer demand. That was also pointed out in one of the many reviews I read. Perhaps the research the others did, if any, didn't come to the same conclusion. You'll have to ask them.

Dodge Druango (yes, unibody, but still RWD with a real 4x4 system and a V-8), Jeep Grand Cherokee (yes, unibody, but still RWD with a real 4x4 system and a V-8), Nissan Pathfinder (RWD with a chassis, a V-8 option, and a real 4x4 system). Again, Ford has plenty of crossovers - Edge, Flex, and Escape. Why do they need another? With the new Flexplorer, they can no longer compete with Durango, Grand Cherokee, Pathfinder, 4-Runner, Fj-Cruiser, and other SUV's that are still RWD. Ford still has the Expedition, but it competes in a different market. And I wouldn't put it past them to just make a bigger version of the Flexplorer next year and just call it the Expedition "Lite".

 

[peterk9]

Dodge Druango (yes, unibody, but still RWD with a real 4x4 system and a V-8), Jeep Grand Cherokee (yes, unibody, but still RWD with a real 4x4 system and a V-8), Nissan Pathfinder (RWD with a chassis, a V-8 option, and a real 4x4 system). Again, Ford has plenty of crossovers - Edge, Flex, and Escape. Why do they need another? With the new Flexplorer, they can no longer compete with Durango, Grand Cherokee, Pathfinder, 4-Runner, Fj-Cruiser, and other SUV's that are still RWD. Ford still has the Expedition, but it competes in a different market. And I wouldn't put it past them to just make a bigger version of the Flexplorer next year and just call it the Expedition "Lite".

Perhaps Ford isn't trying to 'compete' with the others. As I said before the Durango isn't even sold here. The Flex isn't an off-roader and and I don't believe the Edge has the Terrain Management System and doesn't have the same towing capacity . The Escape is a compact. The Explorer is still a very capable off road vehicle as the reviews have pointed out. The 4Runner and FJ have always been in a class of their own as far as I'm concerned. Watching some of those TV documentaries you very often see the 4Runner. Never recall seeing the old Explorer. Again, it is market driven research that dictated the change so let's 'stop beating a dead horse'. Accept it. Get over it and move on! As indicated in another post, the 2011 Explorer is listed as #8 in the top 10 vehicle ratings.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Peter, no sense in beating your head against the wall- it'll just get you comments about the incredibly capable vehicle you are waiting for being called a limp-wristed-soccer-ball-popping-sissy-boy-junior-learners-permit-station-wagonette and then some remark about wrong-wheel-drive and how everything could be fixed if the wheels were closer to the front and rear of the vehicle, and built in Australia.

I mean really- if you want the ultimate, shouldn't we be buying these?

Not like that doesn't have incredible off-road capabilities anyway, the technology was good, and it'll run with a Jeep. No reason to improve on things, right?

I guess at this point, is the definition of "compete" to have:

1.) A vehicle and drivetrain that will go 99% of the places that 95% of the other vehicles will ever go in actual ownership from those that actually buy them, with greater fuel economy and offering competitive advantage in features and benefits and favorable cost structure from sharing platforms...

-or-

2.) A vehicle that offers nothing different but has the same drivetrain and engine offerings that left it floundering in sales in the first place but it's cool because it's rear-wheel-drive

I know who I'd rather have running Ford, thankfully, he is.

Be glad you bought your new Ex- it's going to be a great vehicle for you.

 

[peterk9]

+ 1 :d

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Joe, stop interjecting logic in an internet thread, you KNOW it doesn't belong here :

 

[Joe Dirt]

I know... I have to go back to my chair thread!

 

[LincolnAviFan]

Why then, didn't Dodge, Jeep (...) change their RWD midsize SUV's to puny wrong-wheel-drive crossover station wagons?

Ha, that's funny...Do you know how many die-hard WK-owners made the SAME claim about the new Grand Cherokee (WKII) after it was introduced? They cried out loud because it wasn't that "rugged" any more.

 

[thaywood]

Peter, no sense in beating your head against the wall- it'll just get you comments about the incredibly capable vehicle you are waiting for being called a limp-wristed-soccer-ball-popping-sissy-boy-junior-learners-permit-station-wagonette and then some remark about wrong-wheel-drive and how everything could be fixed if the wheels were closer to the front and rear of the vehicle, and built in Australia.

Dam right!

This is a little modification of the Flexplorer I did using Microsoft Paint. It's crude. But shows what it could look like with better RWD proportions. I plan to do a Sport Trac version when I can get a better image editor program.

I mean really- if you want the ultimate, shouldn't we be buying these?

Not like that doesn't have incredible off-road capabilities anyway, the technology was good, and it'll run with a Jeep. No reason to improve on things, right?

Actually, I knew a guy who had one of those. And it was a fantastic car. And guess what? It was REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE (as in 4x4 with a RWD drivetrain and chassis)!!! Honestly, I'd drive it.

No wimpy wrong-wheel-drive there.

I guess at this point, is the definition of "compete" to have:

1.) A vehicle and drivetrain that will go 99% of the places that 95% of the other vehicles will ever go in actual ownership from those that actually buy them, with greater fuel economy and offering competitive advantage in features and benefits and favorable cost structure from sharing platforms...

Sure. As long as it's Rear-Wheel-Drive as it should be.

-or-

2.) A vehicle that offers nothing different but has the same drivetrain and engine offerings that left it floundering in sales in the first place but it's cool because it's rear-wheel-drive

Nope. Keep the RWD, but update the platform, engines, drivetrain, interior, exterior, features, etc. to keep it competetive. As Jeep and Dodge have done with the GK and Durango.

I know who I'd rather have running Ford, thankfully, he is.

That's your opinion. Mine differs. Your mileage may vary.

Be glad you bought your new Ex- it's going to be a great vehicle for you.

If that's your cup o' tea, good for you. I wouldn't touch the wimpy little wrong-wheel-drive (there's that phrase again... POS. But that's just me.

...So, I ventured on the Ford vehicles website today, and regulars know that there used to be "Cars," "Crossovers," "SUVs," "Trucks," "Hybrids" and "All vehicles" tabs.

Well, now.... they've joined two of them and there is now just a "Crossovers & SUVs" tab.
While some may think of this as nothing, I definitely think this is a sign of the worst, if it can get worse.

Depressing times.

I must agree. Pretty soon, Ford won't have anything but wrong-wheel-drive, sideways engine, imitation SUV's. I can see the demise of the Expedition and Navigator looming over the horizon. Soon those nameplates will be slapped on a long wheelbase version of the Flexplorer and Ford won't have any real SUV's left. That will be a sad day.