Anyone visiting the Ford display at the Chicago Auto Show can expect to see a strong presence from the new Explorer. The SUV is being built at the Ford plant on Chicago’s South Side.

Last summer, Ford gathered some of Illinois’ most prominent politicians to unveil the new Explorer.

“Illinois is Ford country. We believe in Ford,” Gov. Pat Quinn said.

Ford estimated the production created 1,200 new jobs at the South Side plant. Now Ford is putting the Explorer front and center in its display at the Chicago Auto Show, which opens Friday.

“If it’s off to a good start and it’s solid, then it’s going to provide a solid employment base,” Ford spokesman Eric Peterson said. “That’s up to all of us. Make sure we market it and put a great product out there and then we know the people in Chicago build world class products so it’s good news for everyone.”

Peterson said the new Explorer went on sale at the beginning of the year.