2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator Now Shipping Out

The anticipation is over for those eager to experience the 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, as these much-awaited SUVs have officially started shipping to customers. With many vehicles already reaching dealerships, Ford is celebrating the launch of these new models.

Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant, where these vehicles are built, is marking this milestone alongside the launch of the latest Police Interceptor Utility. This marks a significant moment for the facility, which is celebrating 100 years of continuous production, making it the longest-operating Ford manufacturing plant.

Angela Weathers, the Plant Manager at Chicago Assembly Plant, expressed pride in the diverse range of vehicles produced at the plant. She emphasized the enhanced pre-launch testing and quality checks that were undertaken to ensure the new Explorer, Aviator, and Police Interceptor Utility not only meet but exceed customer expectations. 

The Ford Explorer has long been America’s best-selling SUV, with over 8 million units sold. For more than three decades, it has defined what an SUV can be in terms of comfort, performance, and functionality. The 2025 model continues this legacy by setting new standards across the board.

The latest Explorer offers an updated lineup of models, each featuring a redesigned interior with meticulously crafted materials, new color options, and finely textured surfaces. The exterior has been refreshed with bolder styling, giving the Explorer a modern, commanding presence.

One of the most significant updates is the introduction of the Ford Digital Experience infotainment system, showcased on a larger and more advanced digital display. Additionally, the 2025 Explorer is the first to offer Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving technology, setting a new benchmark for convenience and safety.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator represents the next step in the evolution of Lincoln’s design language, emphasizing luxury and connected experiences. This model introduces several firsts for the Aviator, including the Lincoln Digital Experience and the availability of BlueCruise hands-free highway driving technology.

The Aviator’s exterior has been updated with bold new design elements that reflect Lincoln’s commitment to elegance and sophistication. Inside, the new Lincoln Digital Experience ensures that drivers and passengers are always connected, with advanced features and intuitive controls.

In terms of performance, the 2025 Aviator boasts best-in-class standard gas horsepower and torque, making it a powerful option in the luxury SUV segment.

Since production began in 2010 at the Chicago Assembly Plant, over 3.3 million Ford Explorer SUVs have been assembled. The plant employs more than 6,000 people, contributing to over 57,000 direct and indirect jobs in Illinois. Additionally, over 15,000 Ford employees across eight plants in three states are involved in the production of the Explorer.

The production of the Lincoln Aviator is supported by seven plants in three states, with more than 13,500 direct employees contributing to its assembly.

Ford continues to lead the automotive industry in U.S. production volume and exports, a testament to its commitment to manufacturing excellence.

Bryce Currie, Vice President of Americas Manufacturing, highlighted the ongoing journey toward world-class manufacturing at Chicago Assembly Plant. He noted that the innovations driving Ford’s lean transformation have energized the company’s quality culture, which is evident in the processes and tools being implemented both at Chicago Assembly Plant and globally.

Chicago Assembly Plant has prioritized launching the new Explorer and Aviator with the highest quality standards. Teams have dedicated hundreds of hours to prototyping and test-driving these vehicles, ensuring they meet the rigorous standards expected by customers. The plant has also introduced enhanced end-of-line checks to guarantee that each vehicle leaving the facility is of exceptional quality.

One of the cutting-edge tools employed at the plant is Ford’s Mobile AI Vision System (MAIVS), which uses mobile phone cameras and artificial intelligence to conduct quality inspections throughout the assembly process. This technology helps catch issues early, allowing them to be corrected immediately, minimizing disruptions and maintaining the flow of production.

MAIVS is integrated with Ford’s manufacturing systems and is used at various workstations to perform a wide range of tasks. The Chicago Assembly Plant alone uses 65 MAIVS cameras, showcasing the scale and importance of this technology.

The integration of artificial intelligence into vehicle assembly is just one example of the technological advancements at the Chicago Assembly Plant. Over its 100-year history, the plant has played a pivotal role in Ford’s legacy, from producing Model T vehicles to supporting the Allied war effort during World War II, and now, assembling groundbreaking vehicles like the Taurus, Explorer, and Aviator.

As the 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator begin reaching customers, Ford’s commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction continues to drive the company forward.

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