Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is the No. 1-selling sports utility vehicle in Southern California. So, what's the top model? It's the 945 XLT, and when it's driven off the lot, it usually has these features:* * Two-wheel drive. * Five-speed automatic transmission. * 4.0-liter V8 engine. * Air conditioning. * Cloth interior. * Power locks and windows. * Power steering. * CD player. * Dual air bags. * Costs $26,640.

2011 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD Base price: $39,190 Price as tested: $45,415 Powertrain: Sequential multiport fuel injection, 3.5-liter, Ti-VCT V-6, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, six-speed automatic Horsepower: 290 at 6,500 rpm Maximum torque: 255 pound-feet at 4,000 rpm Curb weight: 4,695 pounds Wheelbase: 112.6 inches EPA fuel economy : 17 mpg city /25 mpg highway ...

Ford Motor Co. acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that the furor over Firestone tires had driven down sales of the Ford Explorer sport-utility vehicle, with October sales down 16% from a year ago. Not only were sales of new Explorers down, but Ford said it had moved to shore up sales of used Explorers, whose prices have dropped sharply since the recall was announced. Ford sold 29,611 Explorers in October, down nearly 6,000 vehicles from last October's total of 35,436.

Confronted with rock-strewn hills, or pavement that is flat, straight and most likely located in Illinois, drivers of vehicles that easily switch between two- and four-wheel drive should know which button to choose. But with its completely redesigned 2011 Explorer, Ford has simplified the translation of 4x4 settings with a knob. Conveniently located near the driver's right elbow and outfitted with symbols for snow, mud and sand that require absolutely no understanding of the English language, this knob is emblematic of Ford's entirely updated sport utility vehicle.

Ford Motor Co. is not liable for a rollover accident that killed a school administrator riding in an Explorer sport utility vehicle, a jury in Hackensack, N.J., ruled. Cheryl Metrey, 54, died after her husband lost control of their Ford Explorer vehicle on Interstate 81 near Johnson City, Tenn., in May 2000. Metrey's family alleged that the vehicle's design made it unstable and prone to flipping, said their attorney, Edgar Heiskell. The suit doesn't involve Firestone tires, he said.

A Newport Beach couple who were severely injured in the rollover of their Ford Explorer concluded a $14.9-million settlement Tuesday as the damages phase of their trial was about to start. A superior court jury in Barstow ruled last week that the family's 1994 Explorer was defectively designed, the first time a jury anywhere had found the SUV had a design defect due to its risk of rolling over.

In a bid to capture a piece of the growing market for so-called fun trucks, Mazda Motor of America said Thursday that it will begin selling its version of Ford Motor Co.'s new Explorer sport-utility vehicle this fall. Mazda's announcement marked the first time a Japanese auto maker will buy an American manufacturer's vehicles and then sell them under its name in the United States. Generally, U.S. car makers buy Japanese- or Korean-built cars for sale under their names.

The Supreme Court let stand today an $83-million verdict in favor of a San Diego County woman who was paralyzed when her Ford Explorer rolled over and its roof partially collapsed. The justices rejected an appeal from lawyers for Ford, who argued that the punitive damages were unfair and unconstitutional because the design of the Explorer met all the government and industry safety standards. The jury was told, however, that Ford could have strengthened the roof and possibly avoided such a catastrophic accident had it spent an extra $20 per vehicle.

Ford Motor Co. is warning dealers and customers of a defect in the rear lift-gate on some 2002 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer sport-utility vehicles, dashing the car maker's hopes for a flawless launch of the redesigned models. Ford said Tuesday that the rear lift-gate glass on some new Explorers and Mountaineers may shatter or detach when shut.

'Cash for clunkers': A photo caption accompanying an article in Business on Tuesday about federal incentives to encourage motorists to trade in gas-guzzling cars for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles said William Grammatica and his wife traded in their 1992 Ford Explorer. As the article indicated, the couple traded in a 1997 Explorer.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday let stand a record $83-million judgment in favor of a San Diego County woman who was paralyzed when her Ford Explorer rolled over and its roof partially collapsed. The justices rejected an appeal from lawyers for Ford Motor Co., who argued that the punitive damages were unfair and unconstitutional because the design of the sport utility vehicle met all the government and industry safety standards. The jury had been told, however, that Ford could have strengthened the roof and possibly avoided such a catastrophic accident had it spent an extra $20 per vehicle.

The Supreme Court let stand today an $83-million verdict in favor of a San Diego County woman who was paralyzed when her Ford Explorer rolled over and its roof partially collapsed. The justices rejected an appeal from lawyers for Ford, who argued that the punitive damages were unfair and unconstitutional because the design of the Explorer met all the government and industry safety standards. The jury was told, however, that Ford could have strengthened the roof and possibly avoided such a catastrophic accident had it spent an extra $20 per vehicle.

'Cash for clunkers': A photo caption accompanying an article in Business on Tuesday about federal incentives to encourage motorists to trade in gas-guzzling cars for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles said William Grammatica and his wife traded in their 1992 Ford Explorer. As the article indicated, the couple traded in a 1997 Explorer.

A man who may have been under the influence of alcohol crashed into a parked car and a utility pole in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, killing himself and injuring two passengers and a pedestrian, police said. Ricardo Avila-Tamayo, 33, of El Monte was driving north on Santa Fe Avenue in a Ford Explorer about 2:30 a.m. when he crashed into at least one parked car and then hit a pole near Olympic Boulevard, according to a coroner's official and a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department.

An elderly couple were struck by a car and killed Sunday evening as they were taking photos of the full moon while standing in the street, a California Highway Patrol official said today. Witnesses told authorities the couple from Walnut, both in their 70s, were walking or standing in Pathfinder Road near Annadel Avenue in Rowland Heights when they were struck by a Ford Explorer about 8 p.m., said Officer Joe Zizi of the CHP. They appeared to have been taking photographs of the full moon from the street, according to witnesses' statements and evidence, Zizi said.

Darius Tarman dreams of roaring engines. He owns three classic muscle cars, races on weekends and sells exotic racing pistons for a living. He is what is known as a car guy. Tarman's vehicle of choice these days? A 92-horsepower, 16-year-old Honda Civic hatchback with a fading teal paint job that takes about 15 seconds to reach highway speed. Then again, it does get 61 miles per gallon -- and when your daily commute, from Rancho Cucamonga to Irvine, is 100 miles round trip, that's huge.

Ford Motor Co. will pay state attorneys general $51 million to end claims that its advertising fails to disclose the rollover risk involved with driving sport utility vehicles, sources said. Ford declined to comment. The states' claims stem from thousands of rollover accidents involving the Ford Explorer and faulty Firestone tires. Ford shares rose 7 cents to $9.78 on the New York Stock Exchange before the news.