March 2011

The 2011 Ford Explorer: North American Truck of the Year

Announced at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the 2011 Ford Explorer was named North American Truck of the Year, by a panel of 49 veteran journalists from the United States and Canada. The Explorer faced incredibly tough competition this year, beating out the newly introduced Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango, both of which were finalists in the balloting.
 
The North American Truck of the Year is a tough competition. The selection of the North American Truck of the Year begins with a list of all eligible entrants – vehicles that are either completely new, or substantially revised – compiled into what is known as the “long list.” Early in September, jurors review the long list and select vehicles they believe should be subjected to additional scrutiny. Journalists limit their choices to just ten trucks and SUVs, which is then compiled into a “short list.”
 
Between September and December 10th, jurors drive their selections, evaluating them in a number of areas of consideration including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. Judging is truly a nationwide event, with journalists from all areas of the country, and all types of media. Newspapers, magazines, television, radio and internet outlets are represented, and their votes all count equally.
 
In his review of the Ford Explorer, juror and auto critic Mark Phelan of the Detroit Free Press noted that the Explorer offers “class-leading fuel economy and technology and features you can’t get in luxury crossovers that cost twice as much.”
 
Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas, accepted the award during a reception at the North American International Auto Show. “It’s a proud moment for Ford, our employees and our customers to have Explorer named North American Truck of the Year,” he said. “Winning this honor for the third consecutive year confirms our One Ford plan is working to deliver vehicles people truly want and value, with industry-leading quality, fuel efficiency, safety and smart technology.”
 
Ford revealed the all-new Ford Explorer in July, showcasing the SUV’s combination of improved driving dynamics, available convenience technology, towing capability up to 5,000 pounds and available Intelligent 4WD with the Terrain Management System.
The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine enables class-leading highway fuel economy. Featuring technologies such as twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), a six-speed automatic transmission, electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) and aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff (a fuel-saving system that shuts off fuel flow when the driver backs completely out of the throttle while in fifth or sixth gear, such as exiting onto a freeway off ramp). Explorer also offers a wind-skimming aerodynamic shape to maximize fuel economy.
 
For SUV buyers putting top priority on fuel economy, Explorer this year will offer a 2.0-liter EcoBoost™ I-4 that is anticipated to deliver
even greater fuel efficiency.
 
The all-new Explorer has been reinvented to reflect 21st century customer needs, while honoring the fully capable heritage of previous Explorer models. It is built at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant and already is on sale at Ford dealerships across North America.


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