COSCHARIS Motors has unveiled the 2016 edition of the Ford Explorer with a new package called Ford Protect aimed at encouraging more luxury vehicle buyers to patronise the company.
The premium model was launched on Tuesday in Lagos along with 2016 Ford Figo and Ranger.
Apart from a number of unique features coming with the new Explorer, the Group Managing Director, Coscharis Motors, Mr. Josiah Samuel, said the Ford Protect package would cover free maintenance service for a period of four years or 120,000km.
Samuel, who was represented by the firm’s General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Mr. Abiona Babarinde, gave other benefits of the package as free oil change, brake pad, wiper blade, shock absorber, among other major things that could go wrong with new vehicles within the period of coverage.
He said the Ford Protect, a package initiated by the Ford manufacturer, replaced the Extended Service Plan that was put in place before now exclusive for select Ford models.
Although Samuel noted that the manufacturer had approved the package for use in all Ford models, the facility would be available for Ford vehicles sold in Nigeria by Coscharis Motors.
He, however, said the package would not attract extra cost from the vehicle buyers, adding that it was meant to be added advantage for the Coscharis customers.
“The ESP was restricted to certain vehicles but the Ford Protect covers all models of the brand. For us at the Coscharis Motors, it is starting with the 2016 models of the Explorer and Figo as well as Ranger being unveiled here today,” the GMD said.
The Sales Manager, Ford, Mr. Fabian Anuforo, said the Explorer had been one of the highest selling Ford models in Nigeria and attributed this to the luxury features, comfort and general performance.
The Explorer is a three-row sport utility that seats up to seven and which comes in five trim levels.
“Powering the vehicle is a 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 (EcoBoost) engine that outputs 365 hp (272 kW) and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) of torque,” it said.
The manufacturer said for the vehicle, the six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive were standard.
“This powertrain should be familiar to Ford F-150 fans as the most popular option in those trucks,” it stated.
He recalled, “In 2001 when we started the Ford brand in Nigeria, it was a tug of war to sell a unit. The worry then was its maintenance. Today, the story has changed; people in search of Ford vehicles now look for us.”
The new Ford Explorer has a number of special features such as keyless entry and for starting the engine while outside the vehicle. Others are Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert that alerts you to vehicles in your blind spots; Hill Descent Control for extra control and confidence when on a downslope; and the Available Intelligent 4WD continuously monitors wheel speed, throttle position and steering angle to determine the vehicle’s conditions and the driver’s intent.
