Ford Axes Explorer And Econovan

SpoolMan · 11-08-2005, 11:29 AM

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 Meanwhile, the Econovan will be withdrawn from the end of 2005, the victim of new emissions regulations that come into effect in January 2006.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 · 11-08-2005, 11:33 AM

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 · 11-08-2005, 11:41 AM

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 · 11-08-2005, 01:01 PM

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

loxxr6 · 11-08-2005, 01:58 PM

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

11-08-2005, 02:08 PM

Quote:

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...

Kryton · 11-08-2005, 02:47 PM

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 · 11-08-2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

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 .

Yaw · 11-08-2005, 03:53 PM

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 · 11-08-2005, 04:52 PM

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 · 11-08-2005, 05:09 PM

Noooo... not Econovan!

OzJavelin · 11-08-2005, 09:00 PM

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

MITCHAY · 11-08-2005, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

Noooo... not Econovan!

Lmfao i was waiting for that.

pauljh74 · 12-08-2005, 12:53 AM

Quote:

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 · 12-08-2005, 12:56 AM

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

:

Steffo · 12-08-2005, 12:57 AM

Quote:

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 · 12-08-2005, 07:33 AM

Quote:

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 ...

chevypower · 12-08-2005, 09:46 AM

Bring out the Expedition and Econoline to replace them :-) the 2007 Expedition has an optional V6 Powerstroke diesel too i believe. Econolines are like Merc Sprinters, with F series engines

Steffo · 12-08-2005, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevypower

Bring out the Expedition and Econoline to replace them :-) the 2007 Expedition has an optional V6 Powerstroke diesel too i believe. Econolines are like Merc Sprinters, with F series engines

They'd sell about 0 a year. Transits are already available in sizes bigger then the Sprinter, and who the hell is going to buy an F250 with back seats and a covered load area? Explorer's big enough as it is.

Econoline isn't exactly the ideal replacement for Econovan either. Its merits were being cheap ($22,000 for the SWB, $25,000 for the Maxi Mid Wheelbase and $32,000 for the Maxi LWB) and very reliable. The Econoline would suck fuel and cost more then the LWB Maxi for the cheapest E150 SWB. No thanks...

**ebxr8240** · 12-08-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

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

If I had other people driving my fleet I'd have en all in diesils...As they are governed...Almost no maintinance...

csv8 · 12-08-2005, 10:36 AM

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.

MITCHAY · 12-08-2005, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

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

I just remember what van it was. The Kia 2700 was what i heard.

Steffo · 12-08-2005, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

I just remember what van it was. The Kia 2700 was what i heard.

That's the Pregio. It's a 2.7.

Ghostdriver · 12-08-2005, 02:35 PM

Re: death of Exploder.

Good riddance.

The last thing Australian streets and roads need is more dopey truck-based 4wds, let alone poorly-built dopey truck-based 4wds.

MITCHAY · 12-08-2005, 02:37 PM

If i was to get any 4WD it would be a landcruiser. Having said that i have no use for it plus they have no place in the city with stupid women drivers behind the wheel.

LTDHO · 12-08-2005, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

I just remember what van it was. The Kia 2700 was what i heard.

The Kia is a very popular vehicle at the moment. Alot of people are going Kia and not going back.

LUXO_8 · 12-08-2005, 03:49 PM

Quote:

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 · 12-08-2005, 04:31 PM

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

jspec_sti · 12-08-2005, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghostdriver

Re: death of Exploder.

Good riddance.

The last thing Australian streets and roads need is more dopey truck-based 4wds, let alone poorly-built dopey truck-based 4wds.

And this informative opinion is based on ???

Have you bothered to research the "Exploder" debacle and the susbtantially upgraded 2001 model with "sedan like" IRS suspension?

chief · 12-08-2005, 06:29 PM

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.