For all intents and purposes, the 2009 Ford Flex — together with the Edge and Taurus X — fills the gap left behind by the discontinued Freestar minivan. Ford won’t build traditional minivans anymore, but it also doesn’t want consumers to view the Flex as a successor to the decidedly uncool minivan.
“This vehicle (the Flex) is extremely different,†Flex marketing manager Kate Pearce told Ward’s Auto. “I wouldn’t say we’re specifically going after any particular vehicle owner type.”
Since the Fairlane concept was first revealed, the press has touted it as Ford ’s minivan replacement. Pearce’s comments are more than likely a marketing tactic, rather than an indication of a shift in Ford’s plans for the Flex.
To help shed the minivan image, the Flex has regular doors, rather than a costly sliding system. The Fairlane concept had rear-hinged “suicide” back doors, but those were dropped for the production Flex, likely due to cost and safety concerns.
“They were definitely an interesting component to the Fairlane, but we don’t think we’re missing an opportunity without suicide doors,” Pearce says.
