The 2011 Ford Explorer has changed completely! This shift to a traditional crossover construction has not turned away buyers, however, and Ford reports that Explorer pre-orders have nearly doubled original projections. According to The Detroit News, Ford has received roughly 15,000 orders for the 2011 Explorer. This includes about 3,000 retail and 7,500 dealer orders, as well as an additional 4,500 orders from companies. Jason Mase, Ford’s manager of utility vehicles, says that consumers don’t really care if the vehicle is a crossover or an SUV, the major concern is that the vehicle fits their specific needs. So far, so good, and Ford expects this trend to continue after the Explorer officially hits dealerships in early 2011. @funkmasterflex AB

The Ginetta G50 has so far been the star of the Ginetta GT Supercup, a one-make support series for the British Touring Car Championship but Ginetta is to introduce something even better next year: the new G55! The new car will compete alongside the G50 in next year’s races but in its own class and with separate a points system and podium ceremony. To go along with its more aggressive looks and aero, the G55’s Ford engine is 3.7 liters instead of the G50’s 3.5, and it puts out 370 horsepower – 70 horses more than the G50. Other tweaks include beefier brakes front and back and a new exhaust. Ginetta’s latest will be publicly unveiled at Autosport International on January 13 in Birmingham, England. @funkmasterflex AB

According to Ford, 70 percent of the company’s growth in the next decade will come from the Asia-Pacific region and Africa. The Blue Oval had only planned to have 310 dealerships in China at the end of 2010, but having sold nearly half a million cars this year and expecting the boom to continue, the number has jumped to 340 dealers. This is part of Ford’s larger plan to add 100 new dealerships in China, mostly in smaller cities and inland provinces where new car demand is high. @Funkmasterflex