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(Ford)
DETROIT, MI - Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it plans to unveil the next-generation Ford Explorer at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month.
The 2016 Ford Explorer will go on sale in 2015 in North America. The SUV has been the best-selling mid-size SUV in the U.S. for almost 25 years, according to Ford.
Nearly 7 million Explorers have been sold in the U.S. since it debuted there in 1990.
"The new Explorer is still the SUV America fell in love with – a vehicle built for the perfect family adventure," said Jim Farley, Ford's executive vice president of global marketing, sales and service. "Explorer is the foundation of Ford's full line of award-winning utility vehicles, which is helping the Ford brand grow around the world."
SUVs continue to be an expanding segment for Ford, and automakers in general. Utilities account for 19 percent of the global automotive market, and worldwide demand is up 88 percent since 2008, according to Ford.
SUVs accounted for 23 percent of the Ford brand's global sales last year, up 17 percent from 2012. That figure is expected to grow to 29 percent by 2020.
Ford will debut the 2016 Explorer on Nov. 19. The LA Auto show runs from Nov 18-20 for press and trade days, and is open to the public Nov. 21-30.
David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter