DEARBORN, Mich., March 15, 2000 - Today marks an important milestone in automotive history - the 10th Anniversary of the Ford Explorer. Much like the Internet redefined communication in the 1990s, Explorer has redefined the SUV market - it introduced a whole new way of looking at personal transportation. Introduced on March 15, 1990 as a 1991 model, Explorer has been the best-selling sport utility vehicle (SUV) on the market and has been among the top-ten best-selling vehicles since its introduction.

Growth in the SUV market is considered the most significant of the decade. In fact, since 1991, annual sales of sport utility vehicles in the U.S. have grown from 900,000 to 3.2 million units in calendar year 1999. It is the only market segment that has experienced double-digit sales growth every year during this period.

As America's best-selling sport utility vehicle for nine straight years, Ford Explorer has led, evolved and changed the face of the sport utility market. With more than 3.4 million sold since its introduction, there are more Ford Explorers on the road today than any other sport utility vehicle. Ford Explorer has been a runaway success since its debut and it also ranks very high in customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Explorer continues to lead the market through its evolution and broad expansion into products like the 2001 Explorer Sport Trac.

The introduction of the Explorer put "sport" into the name sport utility vehicle. While not the first SUV on the market, Ford's introduction of Explorer did mark the transition of the utility vehicle from specialized functional truck to comfortable versatile family vehicle. Over the years Explorer has adapted to evolving customer needs. The 1991 Explorer and 1995 Explorer stand out as key models in Explorer's history, as do several key features of the vehicle.

1991 Explorer
1991 was the first model-year to offer the two- and four-door Explorer. Ford's first Explorer model was designed to include more interior space than any other vehicle in its class (at the time) with optional six-passenger seating. Standard features on the 1991 Explorer included a 4.0L V-6 engine with torque of 220 lbs.-ft @ 2400 rpm. The Eddie Bauer plush trim level on the four-door model and the touch driver transfer case for 4x4 was introduced. In 1990, 140,509 Explorer's were sold. In calendar year 1991, 249,640 units were sold.

1995 Explorer
The 1995 Explorer was significantly redesigned. Improving the vehicle that dominated the SUV market was a challenge. Since its introduction Explorer had been a showroom sellout - without sales incentives. Not only was the vehicle already recognized as a leader in overall versatility, but it also topped all competition, foreign or domestic, by being the only major SUV to offer dual air bags, four-wheel disc brakes, rack and pinion steering and a four-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS).

The 1995 Explorer was an expression of how Ford listened to its customers and responded directly to their needs. Major changes to the 1995 model included:

o All-new front-end sheet metal offering a more rounded aerodynamic look
o All-new Short and Long Arm (SLA) front suspension
o Control Trac four wheel drive system which added safety and stability to Explorer by automatically increasing torque to the front wheels upon rear wheel slippage
o Rear seat head restraints
A Crush Management System that incorporated accordion-like pleats in key areas of the frames and body structure designed to absorb energy in a controlled manner and better protect occupants in the event of frontal impact