Ford Axes Explorer And Econovan

[SpoolMan]

Ford Australia has quietly ushered out the Explorer and Econovan. In a short statement, the company stated it will discontinue the Ford Explorer in Australia once current stocks are depleted.

This decision, it said, is primarily due to the 2006 MY Explorer not being available in right-hand-drive. Meanwhile, the Econovan will be withdrawn from the end of 2005, the victim of new emissions regulations that come into effect in January 2006.

Service, parts and warranty support will continue to be available for both models.

[b2tf]

2 of the more forgotten models - havent seen either at a dealership for a very long time. Dare say the Explorer wont be missed now Terry is on the scene.

[n0ngie]

pity i like the explorer pity i cant afford 1 now :(

and the terry i never really got i cant stand the front end of them there to plain

[LTDHO]

So do Ford have a plan for a van to replace Econovan?

Originally Posted by LTDHO

So do Ford have a plan for a van to replace Econovan?

Transit I'm guessing.. It is almost 10 grand dearer but also larger...

[loxxr6]

The Explorer wasn't that great a vehicle to begin with. No love lost there.

[Kryton]

gee ford certainly dont like vans much.
first the trusty old tradies panelvan gets the ****, now its the econovan.
what are tradies gonna do in the future when the Transit gets the **** as well?

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by davway

gee ford certainly dont like vans much.
first the trusty old tradies panelvan gets the ****, now its the econovan.
what are tradies gonna do in the future when the Transit gets the **** as well?

Maybe it’s not a market they want, Kia have gained a huge market share with their vans and very low pricing and they seem to be gaining respect among the tradies as a decent van.
Ford are doing very well out of the Ute’s, very strong sales, looks like there keeping the tradies happy in that department .

[pauljh74]

Originally Posted by XRFPV8

Maybe it’s not a market they want, Kia have gained a huge market share with their vans and very low pricing and they seem to be gaining respect among the tradies as a decent van.
Ford are doing very well out of the Ute’s, very strong sales, looks like there keeping the tradies happy in that department .

Those Kias are bloody everywhere. They've got something like a 2.7 litre diesel in them, so that probably helps their popularity.

[MITCHAY]

I heard somewhere that one of the Kia vans was a best seller. My only reaction was :

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

I heard somewhere that one of the Kia vans was a best seller. My only reaction was :

Kia Pregio is one of the more popular vans in Australia, along with Toyota HiAce and Ford Econovan/Mazda E1800 & E2000.

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

I heard somewhere that one of the Kia vans was a best seller. My only reaction was :

I don't know if this is applicable to the latest models, but earlier Kia Carnevals (spelling?) had BIG problems with engines. Most went-south before about 70,000km. But Kia were good about it and replaced them no questions, even when out of warranty. They know when they've done something wrong and learn from their mistakes .. unlike Ford and Holden, who keep making the same mistakes and don't give a sh!t about consumers ...

[Yaw]

The Explorer is not an overly fantasic option for its competion, compared to a landcruiser or patrol at the serious end of the 4WD market it did not stack up.
As a lot of you know I have the little brother the Escape that is closer to the territory market. It suprises me they did not also annouce this. However the Escape market competion is (same car) Mazda Tribute, Rav4, Xtrail, CRV.
I love my escape but it and the explorer have some similar problems when it comes to towing. The Explorer suprisingly has about the same towing capacity (recomendations) as the Escape. which is next to nothing if you have a fully loaded car and a camper trailer you would be exceeding those recomendations.

I may be wrong but I am pretty sure the econovan was just a Mazda van too. much like The Courier is a Bravo

[jspec_sti]

Bit of a shame really... The V8 Explorer is quite a nice car to live with. Plenty of room for the whole family, and enough grunt to keep me happy away from the XR8. Also seems pretty adept at pulling my wife's tri-axle horse float with 2 nags on board... Can't say I've seen an Escape do that!

As for all the criticisms, don't always believe what you read... Quite an enjoyable car all round.

[Steffo]

Noooo... not Econovan!

[OzJavelin]

At least the Explorer had something the Territory doesn't .. a V8. Late model Explorers sound great ..

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by Steffo

Noooo... not Econovan!

Lmfao i was waiting for that.

[csv8]

I agree, bring out the Excursion and the Expedition. Give Harold Scruby, something to really winge about!!
Ford have the 4wd scene covered by the Landrover.

[LUXO_8]

Originally Posted by csv8

I agree, bring out the Excursion and the Expedition. .

they wouldnt sell here..

just look at the flop the suburban was

[chevypower]

I dont think the Excursion would sell well here, but i do think the Expedition would... IF...

1. was available at competive price here ($50k-$80k) (with good exchange and FTA, it is possible)
2. had both 5.4 V8 and 4.5 V6 turbo diesel available
3. towing specs were at least 3.5 tonnes
4. make it some what capable for off-road use(Australian Spec) (minimum of 210mm ground clearance), optional diff locks, good articulation, Rancho or Bilstein shocks etc - it's not really any bigger than a Land Cruiser, and 4wd enthusiasts here would consider it if it was capable
The only thing that i can think of that would stop Ford Australia selling it here, is luxury car tax. The F250 isnt hit with that. Oh and 4 wheel drive enthusiasts and people who need to tow arent going to buy an Escape to save a few dollars on fuel.

Reasons why the Suburban failed....
it was $70k-90k, 10 yr old design which was getting updated in the US - even the interior looked old, just a bit too long for off road use (Tahoe/Expedition sized is more what we are used to), it was only rated to tow 2.7 tonnes (less than the Land Cruiser and Patrols 3.5 tonnes

[chief]

Well I wonder now if the Territory will get a V8 now. I heard that Ford didn't want a V8 Territory because it will slow the sales of the Explorer. Now with no Explore the Territory I think should get a V8.

[LUXO_8]

Originally Posted by chief

Well I wonder now if the Territory will get a V8 now. I heard that Ford didn't want a V8 Territory because it will slow the sales of the Explorer. Now with no Explore the Territory I think should get a V8.

nothing to do with that, the V8 simply does not fit into the territory

[SpoolMan]

Territory well have the turbo soon, but thats another story..

[csv8]

MADNC 8 CAPRA has fitted the BOSS 260 to the Territory. It can be done

[Perana]

The CAPA Territory V8 had falcon suspension etc.. Its not possible with the current territory suspension since the steering shaft would have to go through where the right bank of the V8 is...

[LUXO_8]

Originally Posted by Perana XR8

The CAPA Territory V8 had falcon suspension etc.. Its not possible with the current territory suspension since the steering shaft would have to go through where the right bank of the V8 is...

thanks for the speedy post there Perana.
was just about to point that out:P

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by MADNC_8

thanks for the speedy post there Perana.
was just about to point that out:P

Yeah and Ford also said the 4.6 Modular V8 wont fit in to the Falcon.... (only the bigger 5.4 version does! hehe)

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Yeah and Ford also said the 4.6 Modular V8 wont fit in to the Falcon.... (only the bigger 5.4 version does! hehe)

5.4 and 4.6 are exactly the same size. The only difference is the crankshaft stroke, rod length and piston size. The 4.6 V8 would not fit in the Falcon AU engine bay, as Ford said, but the BA's engine bay was re-designed to fit the 5.4. And the DOHC version ended up being taller then they expected, hence the last minute buldge on XR8 and GT, which turned out to be a nifty styling feature, much to Ford's relief.

[Perana]

The 5.4 has a taller deck height than the 4.6... Hence it is wider and taller than the 4.6 Take a look in a BA and an AU engine bay... even better measure them up... there is little if any difference in width... Piston "size" isnt any different either... bores are exactly the same diameter, im not sure on the skirt size or piston pin height though.

[Steffo]

Originally Posted by Perana XR8

The 5.4 has a taller deck height than the 4.6... Hence it is wider and taller than the 4.6 Take a look in a BA and an AU engine bay... even better measure them up... there is little if any difference in width... Piston "size" isnt any different either... bores are exactly the same diameter, im not sure on the skirt size or piston pin height though.

By size I meant height, they have identical bore with a longer stroke, the 5.4. AFAIK, the truck block 5.4 is taller deck, but our engines are based on a 4.6 block, as the taller one doesn't fit. Not 100% sure though.