Ford U platform

The Ford U platform is Ford Motor Company's full-size SUV automobile platform. It is available in rear wheel drive and all wheel drive and has V6 and V8 engine options.

U1

Explorers and Mountaineers are built at Ford's Louisville, Kentucky, Hazelwood, Missouri (sometimes called St Louis - but this plant may already be closed in 2006), and Valencia, Venezuela plants. Long wheelbase models are built in Wayne, Michigan.

Vehicles using the standard wheelbase UN105-150 version include:
* Ford Explorer
* Ford Explorer Sport Trac
* Mercury Mountaineer

The "First Generation" (1991-1994) trucks are dubbed as the UN46 platform while the "Second Generation" (1995-2001) trucks are the UN105 platform.The "Third Generation" (2002-2005) trucks are UN152 and the 2001-2003 "Sport" (2-door) variants are platform UN52.

These are derived from The Deposition of Thomas Baughman [http://www.citizen.org/documents/baugh.PDF] , concerning the Explorer rollover/Firestone tire controversy.

Vehicles using the long-wheelbase UN93/173 version include:
* Ford Expedition
* Lincoln Navigator

U2

A new version of the platform ("U2" short- and "U3" long-wheelbase) will go into production in 2006 for 2007 models.

U2 vehicles will be built in Ford's Louisville, Kentucky plant, and will probably continue at the Hazelwood, Missouri, and Valencia, Venezuela plants as well.

Vehicles using the new U2 short wheelbase platform include:
* 2005 Land Rover Discovery/LR3 (modified but may actually be on the T5 platform along with the Range Rover)
* 2007 Ford Explorer (code name "U251")
* 2007 Mercury Mountaineer (code name "U251")

The Ford Explorer Sport Trac will move to the Ford P platform in 2006.

U32

The U32x Expedition and Navigator will be built in Ford's Wayne, Michigan plant. These vehicles will share the T1 platform based on the F-150.

Applications:
* 2007 Ford Expedition (code name "U324")
* 2007 Lincoln Navigator (code name "U326")

U36

The U36x Mariner and Escape are expected to continue on an evolution of the Ford CD2 platform and will be built in Avon Lake, Ohio.

Applications:
* 2007 Mercury Mariner (code name "U364")
* 2007 Ford Escape

U38

The U38x crossover SUVs use the Mazda-based Ford CD3 platform. They will be built at Oakville Assembly in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Applications:
* 2007 Ford Edge (code name "U387")
* 2007 Lincoln MKX (code name "U388")