Description

Ford hails its redesigned 2003 full-size sport utility vehicle as the ?best on the road, best in the dirt, best in the snow.? The Expedition is second in size only to the Ford Excursion. The Lincoln Navigator, which is related to the Expedition, has also been redesigned for 2003. More than 1.1 million Expeditions have been sold in the United States since the vehicle?s debut as a 1997 model, though sales dropped by more than 16 percent in 2001 to 178,045 units, according to Automotive News. Ford says that 78 percent of customers use them for vacations and long trips. The ?full-size customer tows more, hauls more and goes off-road more,? says C.J. Lammers, the Expedition?s vehicle dynamics manager. Ford claims it developed the world?s first power-folding, into-the-floor, third-row bench seat. It is split 60-40 and is said to comfortably accommodate three adults. The Expedition may now be equipped with new optional Safety Canopy curtain-type airbag system that the company claims is another industry first. The Safety Canopy uses separate sensors and deployment strategies to provide both side-impact and rollover protection to first- and second-row passengers. The standard 40-20-40-split, second-row seat can be slid forward 11 inches; this handy feature allows a child in a safety seat to be closer to its parents in the front seats.