Photo Autonews Magazine: 2011 Ford Explorer to Build in Chicago Plant

Ford's Chicago assembly plant is in line to produce a new version of the Explorer sport-utility vehicle next year, a big boost for a factory battered last fall by cutbacks at the struggling automaker, Crain's reports.

Ford Motor Co. officials agreed to produce the new Explorer in Chicago as part of a recent deal with the United Auto Workers to reduce pay and benefits, union leaders said.

Sources close to Ford suppliers also said the company has chosen Chicago, although the economy could derail the plans. Ford confirmed that the Torrence Avenue plant will "receive a new product" but won't identify it.

At the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, Ford unveiled the Explorer America concept. It was a car-based crossover concept that, in theory, would improve efficiency versus the once popular body-on-frame Explorer SUV.

According to union officials at Ford's Chicago plant, the next Explorer will be produced at the Torrence Avenue assembly plant in 2011.

Union officials claim that Ford promised the Explorer to Chicago as part of the recently reworked UAW contract.

The next Explorer will reportedly be built on the outgoing Taurus X platform, which also underpins the Ford Flex, Taurus and the Lincoln MKS and MKT.

The Flex, MKS and MKT are all built at Ford's Oakville, Ontario plant, while the pending cancellation of the Taurus X and Mercury Sable left the recently overhauled Chicago plant twisting in the wind.