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Five Millionth Explorer Rolls Off Louisville KY Line

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LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 16, 2002 – The five-millionth Ford Explorer produced rolled off the assembly line here today – driven by Ford Motor Company Chief Operating Officer and President Nick Scheele as hundreds of plant employees cheered.
National UAW-Ford Department Vice President Gerald Bantom and Scheele presented the keys to Patrick Berry of Louisville. The five- millionth Explorer is Berry's fourth.
Explorers are built at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant as well as the company’s St. Louis Assembly Plant in Missouri.
Scheele congratulated employees in Louisville and St. Louis for their unflagging dedication and commitment to quality that have helped make Ford Explorer the best-selling sport utility vehicle in the world.
“The customer always has been at the forefront of our efforts to make Explorer a safe, practical and comfortable vehicle, and we know that the customer has always been at the forefront of your efforts,” Scheele said. “That’s why we are here and still going strong – 5 million Explorers later.”
The Honorable Kentucky Governor Paul Patton, Plant Manager John Tankesley, UAW Local 862 President Rocky Comito and the plant’s UAW Building Chairman Bruce Day also participated in the celebration of today’s production milestone. Bill Collins, the Louisville Ford dealer who sold the 5 millionth Explorer, also was on hand.

The first Ford Explorer rolled off the line in Louisville on Valentine’s Day in 1990. Since then, the American love affair with this best-selling SUV has continued to grow and mature. In 1991, Explorer’s first full year of availability, sales jumped 38 percent to more than a quarter-million units, and Explorer became the first sport utility vehicle to join the ranks of the top 10-selling vehicles, holding the seventh spot.
In 2001, Explorer marked its 11th straight year as America’s best-selling SUV with sales of 415,921. In August 2002, Explorer achieved it best sales month ever, with more than 51,000 sold.
Customer convenience, functionality, innovation, and safety have been hallmarks in Explorer development. Among the highlights: The first Explorer had more interior space than any vehicle in the class; an overhead console and heated outside mirrors became available on all models in 1994; refinements like steering-wheel mounted audio and climate controls became standard in 1998; an independent rear suspension and a third-row seat were among additions to the totally new 2002 model; and for 2003, Explorer is available with a host of new choices and options for safety, convenience and fun.
“From day one, Explorer has set the standard, and everyone else has tried to match it,” said Steve Lyons, Ford Division president. “With continuous focus on the customer and dedication to quality and value at every point from drawing board to assembly line to driveway, Explorer has consistently pushed the bar higher. That’s why we’ve produced 5 million Explorers, and why Explorer continues to break sales records. Our leadership position is something we don’t take lightly and have no plans to relinquish.”


2003 Ford Explorer features:

A new NBX package offering a Yakima roof basket and other upgrades, joining the already available Eddie Bauer, Limited and Sport editions.
Available AdvanceTrac™ electronic stability control system, which combines the benefits of traction control and electronic stability (yaw) control.
Available rear-seat entertainment system including DVD player, pull-down color screen, and remote headphones.
A choice of two engines – 4.0-liter SOHC V-6 and 4.6-liter SOHC V-8.
Safety Canopy system with industry-first side curtain air bags and rollover protection.
Ford Personal Safety System™, including driver and passenger dual-stage air bags that deploy according to crash severity.
An independent rear suspension, allowing for an additional third-row seat, seven-passenger seating capability and improved ride and handling.
 

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