THE VOTES ARE TALLIED: ALL-NEW 2011 FORD EXPLORER NAMED NORTH AMERICAN TRUCK OF THE YEAR

2011 Ford Explorer

• A jury of North American journalists today named the fuel-efficient, fully capable 2011 Ford Explorer North American Truck of the Year
• Explorer is completely reinvented for 2011, offering class-leading fuel economy, available industry-exclusive second-row inflatable safety belts and Intelligent 4WD with an advanced Terrain Management System™
• Ford Explorer is America’s most fuel-efficient full-size SUV with an EPA-rated 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with the standard V6 engine

DETROIT, Jan. 10, 2011 – The 2011 Ford Explorer – America’s most fuel-efficient full-size SUV – was named North American Truck of the Year today by an international panel of journalists.

The all-new Ford Explorer edged out finalists including the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee to win the North American Truck of the Year award, which was presented at the start of 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,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “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.”
The North American Truck of the Year award recognizes vehicles based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. A jury of 49 veteran automotive journalists from the United States and Canada vote for the vehicles, which must be “all-new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model to qualify for the award.

The win by Explorer marks the seventh time a Ford has been North American Truck of the Year, with Ford dominating in the truck category. Last year, Ford Transit Connect was the winner. The best-selling Ford F-150 pickup won the honor in 2004 and 2009; the fuel-efficient Ford Escape Hybrid won in 2005. This is the 18th year for the Truck of the Year award.

Ford Explorer fully reinvented
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, 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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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 163,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.