Ford axes Explorer, Econovan

AFTER 15 years and 5.5 million sales globally, Ford has a new Explorer SUV on the horizon - but it won't be sold in Australia.

Revealed this week ahead of its Frankfurt motor show world debut, the MY2006 Explorer is claimed to feature more power, improved fuel economy, low emissions, new advanced safety technologies, class-leading interior quietness, improved ride comfort and bolder styling.

But it won't be available in right-hand drive.

Either way, a business case for Australian sales of the large SUV would have been flimsy, given Ford has sold just 267 examples in the first half of 2005 - down from 546 in the same period last year and well below its halcyon years before Ford produced the Terriotry medium off-roader.

While Explorer will be unavailable once current stocks are depleted, Ford's Econovan commercial will also disappear from Blue Oval showrooms after this year because of new emissions regulation due to take effect in 2006.

Ford will continue to offer sales, service, parts and warranty support for all models.