LA MOTOR SHOW: Ford says no to RHD Explorer

Ford 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.

Full coverage of the LA motor show on motoring.com.au

2014 LA motor show photo gallery on motoring.com.au