Sales of the Ford Explorer have dropped significantly to just 78,439 units in 2008, down from over 400K at its peak. Next year Ford is going to release a new Explorer which ditches the current body-on-frame design for a new unibody platform that is shared with the new Taurus. When the new Explorer is released the slow selling Sport Trac version and Mercury Mountaineer will be dead according to the Automotive News. Sales of the Explorer are even worse this year and the Sport Trac and Mountaineer are even lower, which means that Ford can't justify their existence.
Fans of the Sport Trak or Mountaineer better go buy one now before they are gone forever...
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Comments (5)
I just got my emissions checked at a local Ford dealer and browsed the lot while waiting, the price of the sport trac is ridiculous, I'm not suprised no one is buying them.
Posted by thetruth | July 27, 2009 1:56 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 13:56
Well if Ford focused as much attention towards the Sport Trac as they are doing with the new explorer and after the axe of the Ranger in favor of the sport trac becoming fords new small truck, then maybe there would be more interest in the product.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | July 27, 2009 2:46 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 14:46
thetruth makes a very good point. The Sport Trac was too expensive, and other than trying to get a fingerhold on the mid-sized 4-door pickup popularity maybe, I have no idea why Ford built it.
It'll be good to see the current Exploder/Mountaineer retired also. It's definitely a year or 2 past due already. I think Ford is crazy giving up the mid-sized pickup market. Granted, the Tacoma is a tough choice to beat, but if they were to build a smaller version of the F-series (maybe the rumored F-100 namesake) it probably would sell well.
Posted by Trooper Bri | July 27, 2009 5:47 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 17:47
I have to wonder if they've scrapped the plans for the f-100. A 90% scale of the f-150 would be a wonderful thing. A little better gas mileage, a little less carrying/towing capacity. It would be great for those of us who are not using pick-ups as construction or heavy towing vehicles.
If they put something in the way of 220-240Hp and comparable torque into it, that would be great for picking up a few appliances/furnishings and stuff for the yard and going hunting in.
Posted by Teldar | July 28, 2009 7:04 AM
Posted on July 28, 2009 07:04
I heard rumors that the Ranger is returning with a whole new design based on the global platform in 2012, but that's all those claims are right now is rumors. I would love to see a 4 door Ranger. the EXT cab on the current Rangers are no more then extra storage sapce, you really can't fit someone in those jumps seats past 12 years old.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | July 28, 2009 3:30 PM
Posted on July 28, 2009 15:30