Ford Introduces the 2018 Expedition By Giving One Away
Erica Mueller
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A Deserving Firefighter, the Dallas Cowboys and the 2018 Ford Expedition: New Car Story That Will Make You Teary
Ford likes to do things differently. And, they like to look forward and recognize people who make our world a better place. So when they gathered the media and local dealers last week at the Ford Center at The Star in Dallas, TX to introduce the 2018 Ford Expedition, Ford asked Stephen Jones, Dallas Cowboys chief operating officer, to help stage a special surprise.
Garret Rice is a real-life local hero. A firefighter with the Colony Fire Department, he and his wife, after having two kids of their own, decided to adopt four more. Through his work and his life, Garret inspires those around him, including Ford and Dallas Cowboys executives. So when Ford decided to present the 2018 Expedition to the world in a meaningful way, the company asked the Cowboys to help out. Linebacker Sean Lee was enlisted to surprise Garret and his family, who at first thought they were getting to meet Lee and receive tickets to a Cowboys game. But then Lee opened the firehouse door to reveal a much bigger surprise.
You can see the whole story, and Garret and his family’s reaction, in this video.
What will Garret and his family find in the 2018 Ford Expedition?
We love that the first thing Garret’s kids did was hop into the back of the Explorer and check it out! We got the chance to do that too, and were pleasantly surprised. The Expedition hasn’t seen a reboot in over a decade and there’s been a lot of speculation about what the new model would look like. Would it resemble the Explorer or the F150? And the answer is, both and neither.
While definitely a Ford, the 2018 Expedition is its own vehicle. It boasts the new aluminum body with a steel frame and 10-speed automatic transmission, pro trailer backup assist, and intelligent 4-wheel drive we’ve come to expect from Ford’s pickup trucks. The front end harkens to the Explorer, but overall, the Expedition stands alone with its own set of design elements and features.
The new 2018 Ford Expedition, which will be built at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, comes in 3 versions: the XLT, Limited and Platinum trim lines (there’s also an XL series for fleet buyers). Each of these trim packages is available in either standard or MAX (extra-long, replaces the EL badge) sizes. There’s not a King Ranch edition that is so popular in the F-150 truck line, but many people are hoping that’s coming in the near future.
The Fully Retooled and Updated Expedition Has 40 New Features
The 2018 Ford Expedition has 40 new features including LED lights all around, active park assist, lane-keeping aid, adaptable cruise control, intelligent 4-wheel drive, advanced cargo manager, SYNC 3 and SYNC Connect, WiFi for up to 10 devices, wireless charging, and a panoramic moon roof. Powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine with standard Auto Start-Stop plus the 10-speed automatic transmission and pro-trailer backup assist, this Expedition is ready to go anywhere.
Love a Roomy Vehicle? You’ll love the Expedition’s Flexible Interior
One of my favorite things about the new Expedition is the incredibly roomy interior. The second row offers adjustable legroom and is available as a full seat with a 60/40 split, or as captain’s chairs. The third row also comes with the 60/40 split, reclining seats, plenty of legroom, plus its own charging ports, storage cubbies, and cup holders. There are plenty of charging ports all over the vehicle, including a 110 outlet to plug in a laptop or other larger device. The panoramic moonroof adds to the spacious feel and the SYNC Connect allows third row passengers to wirelessly join the movie watching from their tablets or phones so they aren’t left out.
Even Garret Will Have To Wait a Bit For His New Car
The Expedition that Ford had on display that was just for show, however. Production of the 2018 model will start up this summer and the SUVs are expected to arrive in dealerships in the fall. If you’d like to get a closer look, though, it’s on display at auto shows around the country, making its first appearance at the Chicago Auto Show.
