The 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator Are Now Shipping

The wait is over for those eagerly anticipating the 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator. These highly anticipated SUVs are now shipping to customers, with many already arriving at dealerships across the country. This marks a significant milestone for Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant, which celebrates 100 years of continuous production, the longest of any Ford manufacturing facility.

The launch of the 2025 Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and the latest Police Interceptor Utility – America’s best-selling police vehicle – is a proud moment for the Chicago Assembly Plant. Plant Manager Angela Weathers highlights the plant’s diverse production capabilities and commitment to quality:

“Across all the models of Ford Explorer, luxury Lincoln Aviator, and the purpose-built Police Interceptor Utility, this plant serves diverse segments with incredible vehicles. Our team enhanced pre-launch testing and quality checks to help ensure these vehicles exceed our customers’ expectations. We’re thrilled to have Explorer and Aviator SUVs out for delivery, building on Chicago Assembly Plant’s 100-year legacy of producing groundbreaking vehicles.”

The Ford Explorer, America’s all-time best-selling SUV with over 8 million units sold, continues to define SUV comfort, performance, and functionality. The 2025 model sets a new benchmark with its redesigned interior, advanced technology, and bold exterior styling. The new Explorer builds on its legacy by offering a blend of comfort, innovation, and performance that has made it a favorite among SUV enthusiasts for over three decades.

The 2025 Lincoln Aviator exemplifies the brand’s evolved design language, emphasizing signature features and connected experiences. The Aviator continues to set itself apart with luxury, performance, and innovative features that cater to the discerning driver.

Since production began at the Chicago Assembly Plant in 2010, more than 3.3 million Explorer SUVs have been assembled. The plant employs over 6,000 people, supporting more than 57,000 jobs in Illinois alone. Additionally, the production of the Aviator involves seven plants across three states, supported by over 13,500 direct employees.

Bryce Currie, Vice President of Americas Manufacturing, underscores Ford’s commitment to quality and innovation:

“We are on a journey to world-class manufacturing at Chicago Assembly Plant and everywhere across our footprint. The ideas and innovations driving our lean transformation have really energized our quality culture and servant leadership here at Ford, and that’s reflected in the processes and tools we’re deploying at Chicago Assembly Plant and around the globe.”

The Chicago Assembly Plant has focused on ensuring the highest quality for the Explorer and Aviator. Enhanced pre-launch testing and rigorous quality checks are integral to the production process. The plant employs advanced tools like Ford’s Mobile AI Vision System (MAIVS) to assist in vehicle inspections. MAIVS uses mobile phone cameras and AI to identify issues early, allowing for immediate resolution and preventing further disruption. There are 65 MAIVS cameras at the Chicago Assembly Plant, ensuring thorough inspections at various stages of assembly.

From producing Model T vehicles to supporting the Allied war effort during World War II and creating the groundbreaking Taurus, the Chicago Assembly Plant has been at the forefront of automotive innovation for 100 years. The integration of artificial intelligence into vehicle assembly is just one example of the plant’s ongoing commitment to progress and excellence.

The arrival of the 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator marks an exciting new chapter for Ford and its customers. With their innovative features, enhanced quality, and the legacy of the Chicago Assembly Plant, these vehicles are set to redefine the driving experience.

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