The Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV built by the Ford Motor Company. Introduced in 1997 it slots between the smaller Ford Explorer, and the now discontinued and larger Ford Excursion. The Expedition offers up to nine passenger seating (in XLT trim with front bench seat option) and a range of V8 engines. It is similar to the Lincoln Navigator, especially for the 2004 model with the introduction of the Limited trim line. One million Expeditions have sold since 2004, reflecting high consumer demand for its family-friendly interior, cargo space, and high towing capacity. A specially modified Special Service Vehicle version is also available from Ford for law enforcement and fire departments. All Expeditions are built in Wayne, Michigan. This SUV (especially the larger EL/Max model for 2007) is once again Ford's flagship SUV.
For 2007, an extended-wheelbase version of the Expedition called the Expedition EL (for "extended length") in the United States and the Expedition Max in Canada and Mexico replaced the discontinued Excursion and is expected to compete more effectively with the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL. The extended-length version is known as the Expedition Max in Canada and Mexico, because of confusion with the Canada-sold Acura EL. The Expedition EL is about 15.8 in (40 cm) longer than the standard Expedition for a total of approximately 222 in (18.5 feet or 563 cm), and has a 131 in (333 cm) wheelbase, producing 24 ft³ of additional cargo space over the standard 119 in (302 cm) wheelbase model. Just like the standard sized Expedition, the Expedition EL comes in 4 trim lines: the XLT, Eddie Bauer, Limited and the recently added King Ranch series. The Expedition EL can be distinguished by its longer rear-quarter windows and the aft wheel well trim not cutting into the rear passenger doors.
