Well what do you know............... You should get a look at this weeks January 12, 2004 Automotive News. It seems that Ford has decided to keeep producing the Excursion past the 2004 model year after all.
Here is the Automotive news article:
Automotive News / January 12, 2004
DETROIT -- Reversing an earlier decision, Ford Division will keep the Excursion in its lineup.
Ford had said it would drop the Excursion after the 2004 model year.
Environmentalists, who dubbed it the Ford Valdez for its high fuel consumption, cheered the demise of the 19-foot-long SUV.
Now Ford Division President Steve Lyons says the truck will stay at least through the 2005 model year and perhaps beyond. "We'll see after that," Lyons says. "We could go a little longer if we want because it's selling, and we make money selling it. It's pretty simple."
Ford builds the Excursion on a spur line at an assembly plant in Louisville, Ky. That means the Excursion doesn't take volume away from Ford's profitable F-250 and F-350 pickups, which also are assembled at the plant.
Ford sold 26,259 Excursions in 2003, down 9.6 percent from 2002.
Ford offers a $2,500 rebate on gasoline-engine Excursions and $1,500 on diesel-powered Excursions. The diesel Excursion represents about 60 percent of sales and is more fuel efficient, getting about 18 mpg. Ford says the gasoline Excursion gets about 12 mpg.
The Excursion's base sticker price is $37,550, including destination charges.
Diesel and gasoline models will continue for the 2005 model year, a Ford spokesman says. It is possible that production will convert to diesel-only if the Excursion is extended beyond that.
Despite its extended lifespan, the Excursion is unlikely to hang on after Ford introduces a stretched version of its Expedition SUV, which is expected to debut in 2006 as a 2007 model. It will be assembled at Ford's Wayne, Mich., truck plant.
Yep, that is good news. It's been out for about 3-4 months now. One of the Ford's was even quoted about 2 months ago talking about it.
By the way, an Admin may come along and "poof" your post if it appears that the article is copyrighted material. Either way, thanks for the post. It's the first "mainstream" rag I've seen with it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
__________________ 2004 EB Excursion, 4x4, 6.0, everything but step tubes and 2nd row chairs, Magnaflow Exhaust, Isspro Gauges in an under cubby pod, Fumoto sitting on V Codes and Revo 285's.
"Treat me good, I'll treat you better; treat me bad, I'll treat you worse." - Sonny Barger
[ QUOTE ]
Diesel and gasoline models will continue for the 2005 model year, a Ford spokesman says. It is possible that production will convert to diesel-only if the Excursion is extended beyond that.
Despite its extended lifespan, the Excursion is unlikely to hang on after Ford introduces a stretched version of its Expedition SUV, which is expected to debut in 2006 as a 2007 model. It will be assembled at Ford's Wayne, Mich., truck plant.
[/ QUOTE ]
Why would I want an extended Expedition if it's a 1/2 ton SUV with 5.4 gas V8 when I have a 6.0 PSD with 44 gallon tank. I would not want to tow my 41 ft TT with a wimpy 5.4 Expedition.
[ QUOTE ]
Why would I want an extended Expedition if it's a 1/2 ton SUV with 5.4 gas V8 when I have a 6.0 PSD with 44 gallon tank. I would not want to tow my 41 ft TT with a wimpy 5.4 Expedition.
[/ QUOTE ]
Because GM sells 100,000 5.3L Suburbans and Ford only sells 25,000 X's a year.
There is a much bigger market for a 215"-220" gasser soccermobile than there is for a 227" diesel trailermobile.
Ford figures that those who needs the towing capacity will go with a CC pickup. Any trailer much heavier than 8000-9000 lbs. usually is a 5er or gooseneck anyway. The newer big SUVs are rated to tow 8000 lbs. +/- (granted, not very well, but they have that rating), so people who want people capacity and towing capacity are pretty well satisfied with a Hemi Durango or a 6.0L Suburban. There are a few diesel diehards like us, but we are a small minority.
Face it, a 1/2 ton SUV with a 5.0L-6.0L will haul most of the people that anyone wants to haul and pull the boat up to the lake on weekends. That's all most people want anyway. That's why the market is 3-4 times the size of the X market.
[ QUOTE ]
That's why the market is 3-4 times the size of the X market.
[/ QUOTE ]
If Toyota comes out with a SUV version on the FTX pickup that was shown at the Detroit car show the piece of the full size SUV pie will be getting smaller.
I the words of R.Lee Ermey,"Stop the jaw jack,and drop down $40 grand for that new Excursion all you rice burner driving magots,we have to keep the X alive". [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]
I just don't see any other car company building a vehicle like our Excursions ( PSD,44 gallon tank etc)so I can see myself getting a third one down the road . [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Why would I want an extended Expedition if it's a 1/2 ton SUV with 5.4 gas V8 when I have a 6.0 PSD with 44 gallon tank. I would not want to tow my 41 ft TT with a wimpy 5.4 Expedition.
[/ QUOTE ]
Because GM sells 100,000 5.3L Suburbans and Ford only sells 25,000 X's a year.
There is a much bigger market for a 215"-220" gasser soccermobile than there is for a 227" diesel trailermobile.
Ford figures that those who needs the towing capacity will go with a CC pickup. Any trailer much heavier than 8000-9000 lbs. usually is a 5er or gooseneck anyway. The newer big SUVs are rated to tow 8000 lbs. +/- (granted, not very well, but they have that rating), so people who want people capacity and towing capacity are pretty well satisfied with a Hemi Durango or a 6.0L Suburban. There are a few diesel diehards like us, but we are a small minority.
Face it, a 1/2 ton SUV with a 5.0L-6.0L will haul most of the people that anyone wants to haul and pull the boat up to the lake on weekends. That's all most people want anyway. That's why the market is 3-4 times the size of the X market.
[/ QUOTE ]
The X's are starting to take off in sales due to there superior Fuel millage. The bonous is the size and towing capcity's .
Look closely at the fuel millage of the 6.0 Chevy or 5.4 ford or any other SUV. Diesel's are catching on they are faster smother and dont stink like days of old. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img] <font color="green"> </font>
__________________
03/04 Excursion Eddie B, White with Extra tint, Helwig rear sway bar, Centramatic continous wheel Balancers Quad Captians Seats CD/DVD Elderbrock rcs shocks Jan Flashed Bypass oil system to 1 micron
[ QUOTE ]
The X's are starting to take off in sales due to there superior Fuel millage. The bonous is the size and towing capcity's .
Look closely at the fuel millage of the 6.0 Chevy or 5.4 ford or any other SUV. Diesel's are catching on they are faster smother and dont stink like days of old.
[/ QUOTE ]
Soccer moms don't want something as big as the X, and a 6.0L +/- gasser will tow most families and their boats to the lake, which is really all the towing that most family vehicles do.
People believe Ford when Ford says that the new F-150 will tow 9500 lbs. +. So as far as they know, the wheezer 5.4 in their Expy will take 5 people, their gear and the TT up to the mountains just fine.
Diesel fuel is not hard to find, but it still is not at every station. And although diesels are getting more gasser-like every year, they still are not as "point and shoot" as a gasser.
Of course, you have to tow with a diesel to really appreciate its superior towing ability.
Women make the buying decision on cars over 40% (might be closer to 60%) of the time. Without my input, my wife would never consider a diesel.
[ QUOTE ]
Women make the buying decision on cars over 40% (might be closer to 60%) of the time. Without my input, my wide would never consider a diesel.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Women make the buying decision on cars over 40% (might be closer to 60%) of the time. Without my input, my wide would never consider a diesel.
I had no trouble finding diesel in my 13 state, 6.5k mile vacation last year, so I don't think that is the problem any more.
I have found that people just don't realize that the X comes in a diesel!! (wonder why?). A teacher here where I work was talked out of a diesel for the gasser model, found out what terrible milage it got, made the dealer trade on a diesel X, now they love it!!
Because GM sells 100,000 5.3L Suburbans and Ford only sells 25,000 X's a year.
There is a much bigger market for a 215"-220" gasser soccermobile than there is for a 227" diesel trailermobile.
Ford figures that those who needs the towing capacity will go with a CC pickup. Any trailer much heavier than 8000-9000 lbs. usually is a 5er or gooseneck anyway. The newer big SUVs are rated to tow 8000 lbs. +/- (granted, not very well, but they have that rating), so people who want people capacity and towing capacity are pretty well satisfied with a Hemi Durango or a 6.0L Suburban. There are a few diesel diehards like us, but we are a small minority.
Face it, a 1/2 ton SUV with a 5.0L-6.0L will haul most of the people that anyone wants to haul and pull the boat up to the lake on weekends. That's all most people want anyway. That's why the market is 3-4 times the size of the X market.
[/ QUOTE ]
True, but Ford has the Expedition to compete in the 1/2 ton market. Would like to know how many of those they sell.
I think the true competition for the Excursion is the 3/4 ton Suburbans and pickup trucks. How many 3/4 ton Suburbans does GM sell? I think that would give a more accurate picture.
- Gary
__________________
'02 X LTD, 4X4, PSD, 3.73LS. True Blue & Gold. 21K miles. Pretty much stock. (Sigh!) Have upgraded load range E Steeltex tires. Roof rack bars removed. Ford spare tire organizer. Overdue for gauges... 30ft, Sunnybrook 30FKS travel trailer, 8000lb.
Linear Mode
