E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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 Posted:12/1/2004 23:31 |
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There really is no half-ton version of the Suburban in the Ford line-up, so I can see why they are developing an "extended Expedition." This then enables Ford to roll out comparable Lincoln products as well...and targeted towards the market that wants this "cushier" ride without the heavier-duty towing/hauling needs that the Excursion can do.
Who knows, maybe there will be a 3/4-ton suspension option in it...which would make no sense at all considering the F150/Expedition chassis is designed for a 1/2-ton setup.
Bottom line, who knows what the story is. There's still plenty of room for improvement on the X. I too hope they keep it around for many years to come.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Scott Stover
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• Fayetteville, NC, USA |
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• Registered on 4/16/2004 |
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• 354 posts |
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Posted:12/7/2004 18:44 |
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Cant say that I like it!!!! 
Scott
2000 X 4x4 V-10 4.3 LS
K&N
Gibson Catback
"Custom" Kickplates |
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Jim_L
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• Northern Virginia, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 4/2/2003 |
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• 15 posts |
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Posted:12/12/2004 11:59 |
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You would think that Ford would have learned from their earlier mistake. Back in 1977, Ford had the original "bobtail" Bronco, while Chevy had the full sized K5 Blazer, and the 1/2 & 3/4 ton versions of the Suburban. The bobtail Bronco’s main competition was from Jeeps, Land Cruisers, and the like; tools for the true outdoors. Ford's original plan was to retain the existing Bronco, and bring out a full size pair called the Shorthorn and Longhorn to compete with the Blazer & Suburban. Instead Ford elected to replace the existing Bronco with the Shorthorn (retaining the Bronco moniker), and forgo the Longhorn altogether. This moved Ford out of the small SUV market completely (mistake #1), and still left Chevy with a monopoly on the long wheelbase, four door, SUV/tow vehicle market (mistake #2). Move forward to 1983, when Ford attempts to correct mistake #1 with the release of the Bronco II. Not quite the workhorse that the original Bronco was, but not bad nonetheless. It wasn’t until 1997 that Ford broke into the full size, four door, SUV arena with the Expedition. Although full size, and sporting four doors, it was still not a true competitor for the Suburban, which was longer, and available in 1/2 and 3/4 ton varieties. The Expedition was more directed to compete with the Chevy Tahoe, both being lighter and more “car like” than the SUVs of old. Not until the Excursion, in 2000, did Ford finally field a qualified entry into the full size, four door, 3/4 ton market. At the same time Chevy has reduced the Suburban down to not much more than a long wheelbase Tahoe. I’m sure most of us looked at the Suburban while shopping for our Excursions, and came to the same conclusion: the Excursion is much more the truck, while the Suburban is more car. For the first time in 23 years, Ford had a dominant entry to compete with Chevy. Now Ford wants to give up that position, and scale back to a long wheelbase Expedition.
The problem with Ford’s image relating to the Excursion is, IMHO, one of marketing. Look through the ads, and you will rarely find a picture of the Suburban without a trailer behind it. Ford, when they market the Excursion at all, pushes it more for it’s luxury amenities. Chevy actively markets the Suburban to the family wanting to pull the boat/camper/horse trailer, as well as the survey crew and similar work crews. The Suburban can be ordered as a work vehicle, with a stripped down interior, rubber floor mats, etc. The Excursion’s lowest model is the XLS, which still has more luxury amenities than many family cars, much less a work truck. In addition, the Suburban still touts a tow capacity 1000 lbs higher than the Excursion. Having towed many trailers over the years, I’ve always felt better in a heavier tow vehicle. While I have not towed to capacity in either a Suburban (12000 lb) or an Excursion (11000 lb), I strongly suspect that the Excursion would be the more confident puller. Ford should figure out a way to pick up that missing 1000 lb of tow capacity, and start marketing the Excursion as the workhorse it can be. Ford does a stellar job of marketing the Super Duty line as the reliable work truck, far dominating over Chevy’s entries. The Excursion is the same platform, but with more interior. Don’t quit, finish what they started!
OK, I now relinquish my soapbox.
Thanks,
- Jim L
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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Posted:12/13/2004 00:18 |
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| Quote: | | The problem with Ford’s image relating to the Excursion is, IMHO, one of marketing. Look through the ads, and you will rarely find a picture of the Suburban without a trailer behind it. Ford, when they market the Excursion at all, pushes it more for it’s luxury amenities. Chevy actively markets the Suburban to the family wanting to pull the boat/camper/horse trailer, as well as the survey crew and similar work crews. The Suburban can be ordered as a work vehicle, with a stripped down interior, rubber floor mats, etc. The Excursion’s lowest model is the XLS, which still has more luxury amenities than many family cars, much less a work truck. In addition, the Suburban still touts a tow capacity 1000 lbs higher than the Excursion. Having towed many trailers over the years, I’ve always felt better in a heavier tow vehicle. While I have not towed to capacity in either a Suburban (12000 lb) or an Excursion (11000 lb), I strongly suspect that the Excursion would be the more confident puller. Ford should figure out a way to pick up that missing 1000 lb of tow capacity, and start marketing the Excursion as the workhorse it can be. Ford does a stellar job of marketing the Super Duty line as the reliable work truck, far dominating over Chevy’s entries. The Excursion is the same platform, but with more interior. Don’t quit, finish what they started! |
Jim,
How true. Sad though, that public opinion can overpower the actual success of a vehicle. I guess it's all in the perception...Ford just needs to manage that perception. I agree that the SuperDuty ads are great -- made to look very tough.
Just saw a Chevy commercial on today, the entire commercial was centered around its resale value. I'm sorry, but it just seems weird to me to market a vehicle on its resale value alone. While certainly a consideration for many buyers, it seems strange to try and "sell" someone on a vehicle by trying to get them to think about how it has a higher resale vehicle. These vehicles are simply not investments. Chevy is really only saying you won't lose as much as you would on something else...but you'll still lose money. 
It's a shame to only see mention of the Excursion in those broad "built for the road ahead" commercials. I wish it had its own marketing campaign. I hate trying to explain to people how my perceived "gas hog" gets better mileage than any gas-powered full-size pickup truck or SUV. They just don't understand. 
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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Jim_L
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• Northern Virginia, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 4/2/2003 |
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• 15 posts |
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Posted:12/14/2004 22:37 |
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You're right about the fuel mileage. A friend at work drives a fullsize Ford Club Wagon (holds his 6 kids). He couldn't believe it when I told him I got better MPG with my 2001 PSD X Ltd 4x4 than he gets with his van. He rode along with me one day when I stopped to fill the tank, came out with me and checked my odometer and computer each day at work, and then rode along when I did the next fill up. Computer was reporting about 15 MPG (already better than what he was getting), but odometer and pump calculations came in at about 17.5. This was all "city" driving. I have a 24 -27 mile commute each way, and most of it is usually in stop & go, bumper to bumper traffic. Generally only see about 4 miles each way that isn't backed up. He's convinced now. He said his replacement for the van might not be an Excursion, although he does want the 4 wheel drive, but it will certainly be a diesel. I've lost track due to the wild fluctuations of diesel fuel vs. gas, but with 55k on the clock, I estimate that the extra approximately $3k for the diesel has pretty much been made up.
That brings up another drawback of the Suburban, no diesel option.
- JIm L |
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Michael Force
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• ontario, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 12/21/2004 |
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• 17 posts |
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 Posted:12/21/2004 13:50 |
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 GAY!  I can't beleive Ford is getting rid of the Excursion, and coming out with an extended Expedition. That is completely idiotic. They should just keep the Excursion, whats the point of getting rid of it, if they are going to be bringing out another long suv? They might as well just keep the Excursion. This is completely GAY! |
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