Ford has approved its Fairlane “people mover” for production, according to sources familiar with the program, the Detroit News reports. Previous reports have suggested the vehicle will replace Ford’s minivan offerings. Ford’s van sales have dropped from more than 250,000 units in 2000 to fewer than 85,000 units last year. “It’s the postmodern Explorer,” analyst Jim Hall said. “That’s functionally what it is in their lineup.” The Fairlane will be aimed at younger middle-class families, with pricing starting somewhere in the mid-$20,000 range. In February, the Toronto Star said the Fairlane would go into production in February 2008.
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06/21, 10:43 AM
posted by:
craig
if it looks like that they might actually be able to compete against toyota, honda, and chrysler.
06/21, 10:55 AM
posted by:
Jim in LA
like the name. it has the big-Scion look to it. hopefully it won’t be too late, timing-wise, for that market segment of 20-somethings-having-kids.
06/21, 11:32 AM
posted by:
peter g
It looks kinda cool!
06/21, 12:16 PM
posted by:
Niels
I don’t mind if they put it into production, but calling it Fairlane is a disgrace to the classic.
06/21, 12:30 PM
posted by:
jim
I’d make a deposit today: if they’ll give me a diesel. ….that is: as long as it’s not 2/3rds size like the HHR, etc…
j i m
06/21, 12:54 PM
posted by:
PETE PETERSEN
#5 – Agree
06/21, 3:51 PM
posted by:
The Stig
The Fairlame looks like an Explorer with new sheet metal. Wow, what a concept.
06/21, 6:08 PM
posted by:
Billy Ford
I’m gonna build this one in Mexico.
06/21, 6:21 PM
posted by:
Pugsly
I like it. It’s just different enough to succeed. Go for it Ford.
06/21, 7:28 PM
posted by:
British_Rover
There have been a lot of complaints that the Fairlane concept looks too much like the current Gen Range Rover. I will have to see one in person though to really say one way or the other. Also agreed that Fairlane is a bad name because of the history. Ford sells a crappy minivan thing called the Galaxie in Europe as well. Just bad name choices all around.
06/21, 9:14 PM
posted by:
Volvo-S60driver
Hey, just be glad that the name didnt end with “-star” (Freestar, Windstar, Aerostar) It might take off in sales. Doesnt have “soccer mom” look to it. No embarassment of driving the van.
GM is gonna **** with thier lame ass identical minivans. Hope GM stop making them! Just horrible!
06/21, 9:17 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
Rover is a crappy name too…..reminds me of an old dog…..
06/21, 11:05 PM
posted by:
Morris
Detroit: WAKE UP, it doesn’t matter what it looks like now…it is going to look OLD in Feb 2008…
06/21, 11:20 PM
posted by:
Thing2
hm a people mover priced for twenty somethings? Sounds like an Element with actual seating…it will sell well, its not half bad. I wouldn’t mind seeing it on the road, its sporty and classy enough to not look cheap.
06/22, 12:35 AM
posted by:
Steve
If if has at least 250hp and RWD I’ll nut on the brochure
06/22, 12:04 PM
posted by:
canut4ever
I agree with post#7 but make it the Ford Galaxy which is slightly bigger than the S-max. Forget about this Fairlane. The design doesn’t connect.
06/22, 12:39 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
Or you could all just smarten up and buy a Saturn Relay, Pontiac SV6, or Buick Terazza which about a superior minivan as you can buy. Or if you want an ass kicking SUV check out the best in the business, the Chevrolet Equinocks or Pontiac Torent.
Real Americans only buy GM, not Ford junk
06/23, 6:57 AM
posted by:
canut4ever
I think you mean the new GM platform for Suvs by GM(Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook). These improved people movers show us GM might have learned something about its past forays in badge engineering. Stop that illusion that ALL things GM are good. If they are that good then why is GM struggling now? GM can’t seem to defend its market share against the competition. It is the products that will make or break an automaker. The current GM minivans are horrendous. No amount of grafting at the front could save a minivan design that was inferior from the start. Ancient ohv v6’s coupled with indifferent styling how could that compare with the usual Japanese competition? Even the new Sedona/Entourage looks better than these GM vans destined for the rental car fleet.
06/25, 2:23 AM
posted by:
M
YUCK!!! That has got to be the ugliest van I have ever seen in my entire life. If Ford wants to boast sales this isn’t the way to do it. Not even weed could make this van look good.