Ford's new Flex crossover is about to hit showrooms in a few months and Ford is hoping that crossover buyers flock to it...well at least 100,000 of them a year.
The Flex is Ford's replacement for the now defunct Freestar/ Windstar minivans. Jim Farley, Ford's VP of marketing and communications told Automotive News that he expects buyers leaving the large SUV segment and people that have never considered a Ford product to be people that will consider the new Flex.
Crossover sales continue to grow, but do you think Ford will be able to sell 100,000 of these?
Full Story: Autoblog
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Comments (32)
Unfortunately no. I think it is too ugly. I like Ford, but this thing looks hideous in pictures at least.
Posted by Alysandra | April 11, 2008 2:41 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 14:41
For sure its a very ugly concept.
Ford should redesing this.
Posted by Mauricio K | April 11, 2008 2:46 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 14:46
I don't think it's ugly, but it will be in rarified air as far as price goes...They'll have to win over a lot of upper middle-class minivan moms (and Expedition/Tahoe moms for that matter) to make those numbers. They'll never make 100,000...I'm willing to guess 50,000 - 60,000.
Posted by WS | April 11, 2008 2:53 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 14:53
It's American so please allow me:
1. It's American so it sucks.
2. It's American so it's ugly.
3. It's American so it's not reliable or economical.
4. It's American so it's too cheap.
5. It's American. It was copied off the Japanese whom in turn copied it from Europe.
Ok that should cover it. For those of you that possess objectivity and don't knee jerk bash things from a photograph and it's origin, please disregard.
Thank you.
Posted by Chaser | April 11, 2008 2:54 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 14:54
Not for 29K it won't.
If this was 23k to start, maybe, but for that cash I would be surprised.
Of course, with the incentives that will surely follow, who knows.
Posted by zippy | April 11, 2008 3:10 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 15:10
At the prices they'll be charging? Not a chance.
Posted by Cheap Car Lover | April 11, 2008 3:10 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 15:10
The two main problems I see with Ford trying to hit their target numbers are: 1) General slowdown of the US economy; buyers are playing a wait and see approach to impending fuel increases/ economic instability etc. (at $4/gallon this and other large vehicles will sit on lots) and 2) Starting price, Ford needs to keep it low to move vehicles. Otherwise, it will follow the fate of the Pacifica. A vehicle that wasn't a effective alternative to a minivan because of tradeoffs in utility, fuel economy, and price point.
Posted by longdxcommuter | April 11, 2008 3:53 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 15:53
That's funny. Sell 100,000 of these.
Posted by bob | April 11, 2008 4:00 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 16:00
No.
Posted by Kell | April 11, 2008 4:32 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 16:32
If they made it the size of an xB, I'd condsider it.
Posted by Bill O | April 11, 2008 4:58 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 16:58
The problem I see is that's its just a funky mini-van with less utility (no sliding door anyone?) and the starting price is way too high. Upper/mid class soccer mom's don't want a funky vehicle and its too expensive for younger buyers. I don't necessarily think that its going to bomb, but I don't think it will sell 100,000.
Posted by gm0n3y | April 11, 2008 5:39 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 17:39
The only chance they can reach 100k/year is if they throw incentives at it like no tomorrow. That's usually what the big 3 does to get their numbers right: 10.000 off MSRP after 8 months on 3k off. That might do it.
Posted by Sphere | April 11, 2008 5:47 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 17:47
The average American consumer if half-retarded, so maybe.
Point in fact, a cousin I talk to once a month or so let his girlfriend buy a BRAND NEW Ford Escape....even though I used to sell cars and swap cars every 6 months or so, never losing money. They probably paid close to retail.
Posted by Noya | April 11, 2008 6:12 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 18:12
I think not, FIRST of all it is a POS ford. Second if you would buy this SUV it would be the same thing as being the smartest person with down syndrome. In the end your still retarded
Posted by scot | April 11, 2008 6:29 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 18:29
We didn't even have shit this ugly over in 'Nam. It looks like an xB, dressed like a Mini, with some Element in it somewhere.
Posted by x | April 11, 2008 6:36 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 18:36
It's Edsel time folks!
Posted by harryo | April 11, 2008 9:41 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 21:41
I think the main picture makes it look nice, though the silver one looks ugly. (wheels appear smaller for some reason...) I'll agree with some above, if it started around low 20's it would sell well, but 29k is pretty high. You can get a Tahoe for that, which looks a lot nicer. (This looks like a low 20k car for almost 30k)
Posted by Alex | April 11, 2008 10:07 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 22:07
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA...
*gasp*
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Ok all joking aside...
It is a big piece of pie out there... however...
I don't know if they have a great enough marketing push behind this vehicle.
Let alone any distinguishing features (other than the abhorred looks) that may set it apart from other vehicles in the cross over segment...
Does it hold more cargo than the other cross overs? is it the most fuel efficient thing ever created?
Give consumers something to grasp onto.
Cross breeding Scion xB & MINI Cooper & the knock off Range Rover front end, not a cool car make.
But that's just my opinion.
We'll see what the market thinks in time.
Posted by GT Fan | April 11, 2008 10:17 PM
Posted on April 11, 2008 22:17
It will in the first year because it's something new or it will get close to the 100,000 mark.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | April 12, 2008 12:20 AM
Posted on April 12, 2008 00:20
let me see, Avis 10k, Hertz 20k, Alamo 10k, Enterprise 10k, Red Cross 5k, Irak 5k, Army 5k, Postal Services 5k,
guys i m stuck at 70k
Posted by waldorf and statler | April 12, 2008 12:30 AM
Posted on April 12, 2008 00:30
Personally I like the way it looks, I think it is a cool alternative to the common Minivan. However I think Ford has set the price a bit high if they want to sell 100k of these a year, they should have a base model in the 24K range, and try to keep the loaded version down to the mid 30's.
Posted by Travis | April 12, 2008 12:37 AM
Posted on April 12, 2008 00:37
waldorf and statler:
let me see, Avis 10k, Hertz 20k, Alamo 10k, Enterprise 10k, Red Cross 5k, Irak 5k, Army 5k, Postal Services 5k,
guys i m stuck at 70k
Afghanistan 1K, blind people 10, torquereport readers 2
that brings it up to 71,012
Posted by Bob | April 12, 2008 2:04 AM
Posted on April 12, 2008 02:04
Ah Ford...
Give us a better paint quality.
Posted by R3TNIAP | April 12, 2008 3:31 AM
Posted on April 12, 2008 03:31
IF an xB banged a Element, this would be the offspring.
Just another nail in Ford's coffin. I don't know when but I can't see Ford making any real comeback, most people don't trust them for quality or mileage.
They will keep trying, but until they pay attention to the buying public for design, they will continue to decline.
Kind of sad if Ford does go out, the Camaro-Mustang feud is fun. (Being a Camaro owner).
Posted by James | April 12, 2008 3:55 AM
Posted on April 12, 2008 03:55
Very very funny.lol
Posted by Ozy | April 13, 2008 6:34 PM
Posted on April 13, 2008 18:34
100k? wishful thinking, sounds something said to keep investors from dumping their stock...
Posted by SVT | April 14, 2008 11:49 AM
Posted on April 14, 2008 11:49
are you laughing,no?
Posted by paul | April 14, 2008 12:03 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 12:03
Yeah. And I am hoping to win the lottery and find a nude Charlize Theron in my bed. Probably ain't gonna happen............
Posted by Rich | April 14, 2008 2:52 PM
Posted on April 14, 2008 14:52
Just take the taurus and make a standard wagon model on that, just like they did from 1986-2005.
Posted by steve | April 15, 2008 6:53 AM
Posted on April 15, 2008 06:53
I initially hated this design, but it grows on you. If Ford builds quality into the Flex, it could be a big seller. However, I think 100,000 a year is extravagant, especially with the Taurus X, Explorer, Escape, and Edge on the market, all of which are fairly similar to the Flex.
Posted by Alex | April 17, 2008 4:53 PM
Posted on April 17, 2008 16:53
It's funny how many peaple hate it dispite how European they make it look.
Posted by Tommy Boy | April 17, 2008 6:40 PM
Posted on April 17, 2008 18:40
WAY way way too high, especially if its base price is almost 30k. Even the Edge's numbers weren't that high and it's one of the best selling crossovers in America. I'm thinking about the 50,000-65,000 range.
Posted by Tyler | July 3, 2008 12:14 PM
Posted on July 3, 2008 12:14