Ford is holding the line on pricing of its 2003 Expedition sport utility vehicle, despite including some expensive new features in the vehicle, according to justauto.com. Published reports suggest that Ford is determined to keep prices down on some vehicles as part of a policy of reducing the huge costs being incurred on incentive programs. The 2003 Expedition comes with standard "fold flat into the floor" second- and third-row seats that never need to be removed - which it calls a first in the full-size SUV segment. The base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the new Expedition will remain consistent with 2002 models. Pricing will range from $31,295 for the XLT Value series to $41,935 for the Eddie Bauer series. Prices include destination and delivery charges of $740. Base Expedition pricing reflects no year-over-year increase on XLT Value models. Eddie Bauer models reflect a $110 increase. "Our customers are getting more features and standard content for the same price," said Jim O'Connor, Ford Division president. "The all-new 2003 Expedition continues to strengthen our already strong SUV lineup that includes Escape, Explorer and Excursion." For 2001 as a whole, Ford lost $5.45 billion - its first annual loss since 1992. In 2000, the company made a profit of $3.5 billion. In the fourth quarter of 2001, Ford posted a $5 billion loss and the scale of that loss was largely attributed to unprecedented costs incurred in incentive programs.
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