LA MOTOR SHOW: Ford says no to RHD Explorer
Field wide open for Canadian-built Edge to succeed TerritoryFord at the LA motor show today revealed the facelifted Explorer and again denied any possibility of the Explorer, built in Chicago, being offered in right-hand drive for Australia.
The big SUV with capability to seat seven seemed the likely replacement for the Territory; however, it now seems certain that Ford Australia will replace Territory with Edge and Everest.
The two SUVs are distinctly different. Edge, based on Ford's Mondeo mid-sized sedan platform is monocoque unitised-body construction with front-wheel-drive transverse drivetrain layout. AWD will be available. The Edge is built at Ford's plant in Ontario, Canada in left-hand and right-hand drive. Ford did confirm RHD will be exported to the UK but would not yet confirm exports to Australia, but it seems only a matter of time.
To confuse the situation, Ford today also revealed the China-built Edge (built in Nanjing) in seven-seat configuration. This variant will not be exported to Australia, keeping in step with Ford's long term strategy of 'built in China for China'.
But the seven-seat interior configuration, using two small third-row seats that hideaway when folded, are also likely to appear in an Australian-spec Edge.
Jim Farley, Vice President Ford Marketing, was all too clear about Territory replacement being the new Everest, an SUV which borrows its body-on-chassis construction, drivetrains and diesel engines from the Ranger pick-up. Everest seats seven and also gives Ford an off-road tough 4WD system with dual range transfer case and protected underbody. A two-SUV strategy seems most logical. The Edge will target urban drivers while the Everest will appeal to buyers wanting additional seating and 4WD.
Farley continued to stop any discussion regarding a right-hand-drive Explorer. "It will not replace Territory," he claims.
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