The front control arm of a 2011 Ford Explorer at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
The boron front bumper beam of a 2011 Ford Explorer at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
A 2011 Ford Explorer with a boron front bumper beam makes its way through the assembly line at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
A 2011 Ford Explorer sits under lights before undergoing water testing at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
The reinforced center pillar of a 2011 Ford Explorer at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
A body side outer reinforcement beam stands next to the body side of a 2011 Ford Explorer at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. The beam is welded to the inside of the body side, but is shown here for illustrative purposes. Photographer: Daniel Acker
The reinforced steel side rail of a 2011 Ford Explorer runs behind front wheel well components at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
The aluminum hood, right, and steel front fender come together on a 2011 Ford Explorer at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
The body assemblies of 2011 Ford Explorer, foreground, Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles travel along the assembly line at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
The body assemblies of 2011 Ford Explorer, bottom, Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles travel along the assembly line at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
Phil Hunt, right, and Jim Maynard connect body sides to the frame of a 2001 Ford Explorer at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
Phil Hunt connects a body side to the frame of a 2001 Ford Explorer at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
Jim Maynard connects a body side to the frame of a 2001 Ford Explorer at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
A 2011 Ford Explorer leaves a work station after having its body sides attached at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker
Jim Maynard, left, connects a body side to the frame of a 2001 Ford Explorer at the Ford Motor Co. Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010. Photographer: Daniel Acker