News Headings

2010 Explorer Overview

2010 Explorer Product Sheet

STANDARD TRAILER SWAY CONTROL, XLT SPORT PACKAGE GIVE 2010 FORD EXPLORER BUYERS MORE CHOICE

• Standard Trailer Sway Control complements Explorer’s extensive suite of safety technologies
• XLT Sport package provides a customizable, sporty alternative for Explorer buyers
• Explorer offers the latest technology including a next-generation navigation system with SIRIUS Travel Link™

Ford will bolster the 2010 Explorer by enhancing its proven stability control system with the addition of Trailer Sway Control, which joins an already impressive list of standard safety features including industry-exclusive AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™).

Trailer Sway Control works in conjunction with AdvanceTrac with RSC to determine from the yaw motion of the vehicle if the trailer is swaying and take measures – such as applying precise braking or reduced engine torque – to bring both vehicle and trailer under control.

Ford’s AdvanceTrac with RSC features unique functionality and a level of performance that competitive stability control systems can’t match. Unlike competitors’ systems, AdvanceTrac with RSC utilizes a second gyroscopic roll rate sensor to determine the vehicle’s body roll angle and roll rate.

If the unique roll rate sensor detects a significant roll angle, the system applies additional countermeasures – such as applying brakes to one or more wheels or reducing engine power – to enhance vehicle rollover resistance.

In general, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) both agree stability control systems could save more than 10,000 lives annually.

Explorer XLT Sport

For 2010, Explorer will continue to offer the XLT Sport package, highlighted inside by Charcoal Black cloth seats, a white instrument cluster and all-weather floor mats. Black-accented wheel lips, exterior step bar and fascia show off the sporty exterior side of Explorer.

The XLT sport package is available in the following exterior colors: Blue Flame, Torch Red, Brilliant Silver, and Black.

Next-Generation Navigation

An available voice-activated navigation system with SIRIUS Travel Link™ lets Explorer owners access to up-to-the-minute information and entertainment content through the vehicle’s navigation system. The information includes current gas prices from an estimated 120,000 filling stations, up-to-the-minute-traffic information for 78 markets, weather conditions, sports scores and movie listings (available in the 48 contiguous states and District of Columbia).

Explorer Safety Technologies
Standard and available 2010 Ford Explorer safety features include:

• AdvanceTrac with RSC
• Air bags, second-generation driver and front passenger seats
• Battery saver feature
• Belt-Minder®
• Front Passenger Sensing System
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system on rear outboard seat locations
• S.O.S. Post Crash Alert System™
• Safety Canopy® with roll over sensor
• Safety Belts, Pretensioner/Energy Management System w/adjustable height in 1st row
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Explorer Technology and Connectivity Features

Standard and available 2010 Ford Explorer technology features include:

• AM/FM single CD/MP3 player with audio input jack
• Premium AM/FM in-dash, six-CD/MP3 player with subwoofer and audio input jack
• Voice-activated navigation system
• Rear-seat DVD system
• Security – SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)
• Illuminated entry
• Keyless Entry Remote
• Power Code remote start
• Power adjustable pedals

Ford Explorer is available in three series: XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited. Explorer is produced at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Ky.

FORD LAUNCHES INDUSTRY-FIRST SIDE MIRROR DESIGN ON 2009 EDGE MINIMIZING BLIND SPOT RISK

• 2009 Ford Edge receives the Blind Spot Mirror, an industry-first innovation, as standard equipment beginning this fall.
    
• The Blind Spot Mirror replaces traditional side view mirrors and features an integrated convex spotter mirror that provides an optimized view of the driver's blind spot.
    

DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 6, 2008 - Ford is moving quickly to address driver demands for increased visibility with an industry-first innovation, the Blind Spot Mirror, pulling ahead the feature's introduction by one year to launch this fall as standard equipment on the 2009 Ford Edge.

"Ford is committed to delivering innovative features that provide a better driving experience for the customer," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "The Blind Spot Mirror is the latest example of our strategy to move fast and to be industry leaders in enhancing the ownership experience."

Ford's Blind Sport Mirror answers customers' demands for better visibility as they change lanes or parallel park. This affordable technology will debut on the 2009 Edge later this year and eventually will be offered on several future Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles as standard equipment.

Blind Spot Mirror

The Blind Spot Mirror is a traditional side view mirror designed with a secondary convex spotter in the top outer corner, which provides a view of the driver's blind spot. When traffic enters the driver's blind spot on either side of the vehicle, it is visible in the secondary convex mirror, alerting the driver of potential danger.

Ford's push to develop the Blind Spot Mirror and migrate it across its lineup comes as a result of careful customer research, said Kelly Kohlstrand with Ford's Advanced Product Marketing and Technology Planning team.

"We're committed to offering new features that address unmet customer needs," Kohlstrand said. "Customers told us that visibility is important to them and that they specifically desired a more effective outside rearview mirror."

Early drive clinics conducted by Ford show that the Blind Spot Mirror is a feature that customers want and value.  Nearly 76 percent of focus group clinic participants said the mirror improved their confidence while driving. In addition, the participants said the learning curve or adjustment to the using the Blind Spot Mirror was minimal.

Ford's Blind Spot Mirror provides a more seamless solution than present aftermarket offerings, as it uses one continuous glass surface and is robust to the elements. The factory-installed spotter mirror is specifically designed for the vehicle - car or truck - it provides an optimized field of view.