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Ford Flex
The Fairlane - will this popular car of long ago make a triumphant comeback?
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and tell us more about the engine and what is in it
I saw the concept upclose and it has features that probably would not translate into production; such as real wood trims that make the whole thing look like something out of Ikea catalogue. Ikea to me means "products with cool looking design that look dated within three months and fall apart for sure within a year." The canvas top is at least original --somehow reminds me of Ralph Lauren-- but hugely impractical. The edges were already worn and stained from touching. I guess Ford will use simple fiberglass top instead. In fact, I feel like it has enough of Range Rover design cues to make it look upscale and suv-ish. What could be better than that to beat the scary stigma attached to the minivans? I strongly believe, Fairlane, if well executed, will be a strong contender in the new segment pioneered by Pacifica and now further expanded (upward) by the R-class.
Loren
Replace the Freestar with the Fairlane but give it sliders.
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I seem to recall hearing that too. But I think the Fairlane concept would be an excellent opportunity for Ford to re-enter the "minivan" market with something that didn't look like a minivan.
I just don't understand why Ford makes such a big deal about the Fairlane as the next "people mover", when they already have the Freestyle in the same basic configuration and more than capable of doing everything the Fairlane can do. I think Ford's problem is that they keep getting rid of vehicles and making new names (granada, taurus, 500, escort, focus, etc...), rather than sticking to a name and just making it better and better (aka camry, corolla, accord, etc).
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060621/AUTO01/606210400/1148- -
LINK
Ford must be having some special competition for the worst possible name. How is "Flex" supposed to be better than "Fairlane"? Is "Flex" a hint on its torsional rigidity?
Legendary Tarus reliability too?
-mike
What they really need to do is start pulling some of their introductions forward, like GM and Chysler have started doing. This thing could turn out to be old news by the time it hits market. Just imagine how many more CUVs and CUV alternatives will hit the market b4 summer 08.
Tribecca re-design will hit the streets in 2-3 months.
-mike
Focus (do they make that still?)
Fusion
Tarus
Tarus X
Escape
Edge
Explorer
Expedition
Expedition XL
F150
F250
F350
Seems like they should have the market pretty well covered.
-mike
They definitely need more (and different) products if they wish to make a prifit again. Their thought now is rather than relying on blockbusters like the old Taurus and Explorer used to be, to market more types of vehicles. Don't know if it will work, but the fact is they still have way fewer models than GM and Chrysler.
For something really exciting, bring the SMax over from Europe. Ford is running scared and making bad decisions. Resurrecting the Taurus name and putting conventional doors on the Flex is the evidence.
The Flex is a bigger and more expensive vehicle. That's the same as asking why should Jeep have both the Grand Cherokee and the Commander? Why have both the Patriot and Compass? Why the 4 door Wrangler adn the similar sized 2008 Liberty? I think because they appeal to a wider variety of people.
As for the Taurus, it is righting a stupid decision. The Taurus name is iconic and more recognized than almost any other. What it needed was a decent car attached. Whether the improved 500 is that remains to be seen. But imagine Chevy renaming the Corvette or Ford the Mustang or F150, just because it was redesigned? It would be as stupid as the MKS/Z/Z/R names are for Lincoln.
-mike
I thought hosts were supposed to be un-biased and fair? :confuse:
I am old enough to remember some truly crappy Mustangs. The 1973 Mustang had morphed into a big, overdressed fat lady. The Mustang II was a rolling turd. Just give the name everyone knows a decent car to attach to and all will be well.
Too bad Ford couldn't think of a more recognizable Ford name for the Flex. But if the car is good enough, and grabs enough attention, the name won't matter...it will work. I mean, think about it...Civic? Camry? Deathnell names if the cars had been no good.
The Ford 500 and the Freestyle might have established an identity if they keep being improved, like with the addition of the 3.5 engine. But changing the name to Taurus so soon is just admitting failure.
As for the Grand Cherokee and Commander, the Commander is doing poorly and may be discontinued. The Grand Cherokee was enough.
Patriot and Compass... couldn't agree more. The Compass was a big mistake. I think the Patriot will be a hit.
Ford would have been better served to introduce a small crossover to replace the aging Escape. Or at least upgrade the 3.0 engine and the 4sp auto.
The Flex might have been interesting with the concept's suicide doors. As is, it's just more of the same in a boxier container.
And yes, the Flex is mostly more of the same in a boxier container. It is roomier than the others and it doesn't say minivan. Lets see if it sells.
I suspect though, that whatever sales the Taurus X has at the time the Flex comes out (summer 2008??? Are they kidding??? And for that they pay Mulally 38 million?????....but I digress) will die off. When Taurus X sales tank (again), and begin to resemble miserable Freestar levels (rather than simply mediocre Freestyle sales), they will come out with a cheaper Flex model to cover that market, and maybe a slightly redesigned Edge that could accommodate a small third row.
But of course that means Ford will be behind everyone else again.
-mike
There are countless more examples of manufacturers covering the same bases with their own competing products. It seems to me that even if the CX-9 and Flex might be cross-shopped, they are far more different than the multiple choices other auto companies are issuing. The Mazda is rather sleek, though still offering good space. However, the Flex will have a lot more interior space for a couple extra inches in length.
-mike
The Mercury was the Meta One. It had a great interior, innovative front end styling...but was saddled with the exact same body as the Freestyle. They were talking diesel hybird propulsin too. I think someone must have realized that investing all that in the bland FS body may not have been the wisest move.
There have been some good looking Mercurys over the generations: the 49-51, the 66 Comet, the Cougar, the original Marauder, the 1972 Cyclone amd Montego, several convertibles, etc. The current Mercury Fords are arguably better looking than the Ford counterparts, though all of them are nothing more than rebadges now. It looks as though Ford is hedging its bets with Mercury. With all the plans for Lincoln now, if they can get that volume up, then they could dump Mercury. Bt neither brand can survive without the other at current sales levels. And keeping Mercury is cheap right now, because Ford is putting no extra effort into Mercury to make it a real "division" like, say, Chevrolet and Buick or Saturn.
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Most of my disappointment in the Flex is about the doors. The concept had the bold and different rear hinged doors. Like the Element. The most practical would be sliders but any hint of minivan is avoided like the plague. But when it comes time for production Ford plays it safe with the doors. Now, there's nothing interesting about the Flex. It's a bloated Freestyle.
If the Flex had kept the concept's doors, it would clearly have its own identity, separate from the Freestyle. But now, Ford has two large three row crossovers with only styling to set them apart. It would be like having two large sedans like the 500... er, Taurus.