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Ford Everest: First-Ever Australian-Developed Traditional SUV Getting Attention Online as More than (501)

The all-new Ford Everest not only is the first-ever Australian-developed traditional SUV but it features a range of customer benefits not found on the Toyota Prado – a combination that seems to have captured Australians’ imagination.

News of the latest Ford continues to generate strong customer interest with more than 11,000 customers flagging interest in the newest Ford and 25,000 requests for brochures on the SUV. The Everest SUV is experiencing the second-most web traffic of all Ford vehicles behind the recently released 2015 Ford Ranger.

“The Everest is one of our crown jewels of our nearly $2 billion in R&D investment the past six years, something we have used to give our customer-relevant technologies and capabilities expected of an rugged off-roader,” says Ford President and CEO, Graeme Whickman. “We started promoting Everest last year with our ‘Guess Who’ campaign and it drove more interest with Mustang so we are pleased to see that momentum continue as they arrive at dealerships.”

With the SUV segment one of the most hotly contested in the country, interest in the Ford Everest SUV is mirroring customer needs for a contemporary, perfect adventure vehicle that is just as capable traversing the Simpson Desert as it is finding a parking spot in the local shopping centre.

“We’re aware of the competition in the market for this level of vehicle so we’re focused on delivering a broad message across various platforms to put the Everest SUV on customers’ shopping lists,” says Whickman.

The Everest SUV is a technological tour-de-force, featuring driver assist technologies that were once the domain of luxury European passenger cars; among them Smart customer features unavailable on the Toyota Prado – Lane Keeping Aid, Auto High Beam, Active Park Assist, Active Noise Cancellation and SYNC voice-activated infotainment with Emergency Assistance and MyKey.

Other Everest features not found on the Prado include:

• Tyre-pressure monitoring
• 3,000 kg towing capacity
• Driver alert system
• Electric Power Assisted Steering
• Automatic high beam control
• 800 mm water wading^
• 225 mm ground clearance
• 2850 mm wheelbase
• Automatic Lift Tailgate

For keen off-roaders, the Everest SUV also features an advanced Terrain Management System which enables the vehicle balance off-road and refined on-road capability. It is also equipped with Curve Control Technology, designed to maximise security on winding roads.

These new technologies partnered with Traction Control, Dynamic Stability Control and Roll Stability Control systems provide a reassuring, smooth and fun ride. As well, among the features available in the Everest are a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) to aid in lane changing and blind spots.

Critical to the off-road customer is capability and comfort matched with a robust Australian designed and engineered vehicle. The tough Everest SUV has a towing capacity of up to 3,000kg* and can wade deeper than any other SUV in its class; up to 800 mm^ and a ground clearance of 225 mm. Also, the Everest has an approach angle of 29 degrees; departure angle of 25 degrees and a ramp-over angle of 21 degrees.

Infotainment remains a highlight of the entire Ford range, with Everests available with Ford’s voice controlled SYNC system so that the driver remains in control of the car and can use the Bluetooth**-capable infotainment with ease, maintaining their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

*Using genuine Ford towbar. Subject to State and Territory regulations.

**Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG., Inc. and is used under license.

^ Achieved when maintaining a steady speed of not more than 7km/h.

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