New Expeditions and a 50th Anniversary Thunderbird Arrive at Miami Auto Show

By: Mike O'Neill | Ford Communications Network

The 2005 Ford Expedition King Ranch is one of two new Expedition models. For more information on Expedition, visit fordvehicles.com.

MIAMI, Fla., Nov. 8, 2004 -- Two new Expedition series for the 2005 model year join the Ford Division lineup at this year's South Florida International Auto Show in Miami, as does an anniversary edition of an industry classic.

The Ford Expedition is expanding its full-size SUV offerings with two new series for the 2005 model year -- the Expedition King Ranch and the Expedition Limited. Ford will introduce the new Expedition King Ranch in early 2005 to join Ford’s exclusive King Ranch models on the F-150 and F-250 pickup trucks. Early dealer orders for Expedition King Ranch indicate that Florida leads the nation in demand for the luxurious new model.

“The Expedition King Ranch offers a great combination of ruggedness and luxury, as well as all of the functionality and capability that customers have come to expect form the Expedition,” said Melissa Dagenhart, Ford Division SUV Marketing manager.

Pricing for the Expedition King Ranch starts at $42,210 for 4x2 models, and $45,360 for 4x4 models, plus destination and delivery charges of $795.

The new Expedition King Ranch features the signature genuine Castano leather interior, a genuine wood steering wheel and wood appliqué accents added to the doors and instrument panel grab handle. The interior package also includes the class-exclusive PowerFold™ third row seat as standard equipment. Unique exterior elements include unique 17-inch wheels, featuring a painted finish with the King Ranch logo on the center cap and a distinctive Pueblo Gold two-tone exterior with Pueblo Gold step bars.

Expedition King Ranch begins production at the Michigan Truck Plant during the fourth quarter this year. Dealers nationwide have been taking orders since mid-October.

Also new for the 2005 model year is the 2005 Ford Expedition Limited series that was developed to meet customers growing demand for premium SUVs. The Limited series features a monochromatic look from bumper to bumper with chrome accents on the exhaust tip and roof rails. This series comes equipped with standard 17-inch Chrometec™ aluminum wheels and upscale features such as heated side view mirrors with memory, security approach lamps and integrated turn signals.

The Limited’s interior features monochromatic leather-trimmed seats with adjustable head restraints with 10-way power and memory, wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel with duplicate climate, audio and speed controls, and the instrument panel grab handle with wood grain accents.

“The addition of the Limited series brings a whole new level of luxury to the Expedition lineup,” said Dagenhart.

The 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Thunderbird made its debut at the 2004 Miami auto show. For more information on Thunderbird, visit fordvehicles.com. Another draw is certain to be the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Thunderbird being unveiled at the Miami show.

Production of the special edition model with an exclusive Cashmere color begins in January 2005 and will be limited to 1,500 units.

“The 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Thunderbird builds upon the car’s rich heritage, which began with the classic, two-seater 1955 model,” said Steve Lyons, president of Ford Division. “This special edition adds to the emotional attachment that America has with Thunderbird, an attachment that has been 50 years in the making.”

In addition to the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition, Ford is unveiling two new colors available on upcoming 2005 Thunderbirds: Inca Gold and Bronze. For 2005, all Thunderbirds feature a 50th Anniversary commemorative fender chevron.

The Miami show runs through Sunday, November 14 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Nearly 650,000 people traditionally attend what is billed as the first major auto show of the season.