Ford Explorer
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The Explorer will switch to a car based platform starting in late 2010 for the 2011 model year. Like the Escape, the Explorer will continue to be marketed as an "SUV" rather than a "crossover". Assembly of the fifth-generation Explorer will move to Ford's Chicago Assembly plant, where it will be built alongside the Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS. The Louisville plant, where the previous generation was built, will be converted to produce cars based on Ford's global C platform (potentially including the Ford Focus, Ford C-Max, and Ford Kuga). The Fifth-generation Ford Explorer will be the first-ever vehicle to be equipped with inflatable seat belts in the rear seats. Air bags are sewn into the inside of the seat belts, and inflate with cold air to prevent burns. Ford claims it
Production
will be released as an option and to introduce inflatable seat belts on other Ford models eventually. The fifth generation Explorer made its debut online via Facebook; Ford had set up a Ford Explorer Facebook page ahead of its debut. The Ford Explorer Sport was a 2-door version of the Ford Explorer, designed to take the place of the Bronco II in Ford's model line, and was produced from 1991 to 2003. The Sport began as a trim level of the Ford Explorer, but it eventually became its own model. It rode on a 10" shorter wheelbase. There was only one Sport, but there were several other trim levels of the Explorer that were available with 2-doors (edmunds trim levels), such as the XL (1991–1997), the Eddie Bauer (1991–1994), and the Expedition (1995). In 1998 the Explorer Sport became the only 2-door trim level of the Explorer, and in 2001 it became its own model, as the second generation Explorer moved on to a 4-door-only 3rd generation. To compete with other police SUVs that are sold by other automobile companies, Ford has made a special version of the
Explorer Sport variation
Special Service Vehicle