04/11/2008, 9:31 AM

Crossover

Ford establishes 100,000 annual Flex sales goal

The Ford Flex, due to go on sale this summer, will be built at the rate of 100,000 units per year, and Ford brass is confident it can sell all the crossovers it can make. Jim Farley, Ford’s group VP of marketing and communications, said on Friday it is “absolutely” possible for the sales goal to be reached.

With the new car — and especially, fuel-thirsty truck and SUV — market on a sales slide in 2008, Ford expects the crossover to appeal to buyers considering big vehicles such as the Explorer and Expedition, but who want better fuel economy.

New car sales in 2008 are predicted to be the slowest and toughest ever , and Ford is counting on new products such as the Flex, its Lincoln-brand MKS sedan and all-new F-150 to help the company through it, according to Automotive News.

 
 

04/11, 9:53 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Ford is very sloppy but I think they can reach that goal or come close to it
The Flex is different and I sat in it and it felt good for a Ford I wish it were a little higher off the ground but thats it
Im just happy that they can no cancel the Freestyle/Taurus X monstrosity

04/11, 9:55 AM

posted by:

mayer_ray_nagin

Well, the Lambda trio is moving close to 175k units/year, and the new Pilot looks to be an abortion, and Expedition intenders are going to think twice when they see the mileage, so there is room for the Flex to do about 100k I suppose.

As for the MKS I think it will flop. It’s not bad looking, but it’s also not $40k good looking and it shares a drivetrain/platform with the Taurus. That ain’t a good mix, especially if the new Taurus looks as good or better and is $14k cheaper.

04/11, 10:00 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Pilot looks to be an abortion-
* Keep in mind the Pilot will ALWAYS outsell any GM Ford or Chrysler product Like I said they are still moving the current Pilot and even know the new one is utilitarian looking it will sell and you know it *

The MKS will do well Its great looking on the outside. I do think the interior could be better but its Ford. It’s different enough from the Taurus to warrants the premium

The MKX is a nice CUV as well Its prob the only one I would consider leasing or buying but I would feel like I cheated myself if I traded a Japanese for and American car especially a Ford

04/11, 10:01 AM

posted by:

driver54

I just made a dumb mistake a work. I need to see a post from need more oil to make me feel smarter. Something along the lines of; the Lambdas will walk all over this POS if it is ever out of the service bay. It’s your duty to join the American revolution and buy a GM. Do yourself a favor and head to your local GM dealer and wait in the long line of customers for your chance to buy a GM. Nevermind oil, I feel better already.

04/11, 10:07 AM

posted by:

mayer_ray_nagin

Anyone know what annual Pilot sales numbers are?

I do agree Pilot buyers won’t generally consider other products, but they may simply not replace the Pilots they have as quickly as Honda wants.

04/11, 10:09 AM

posted by:

moto-racer13

Keep dreaming ford lol You honestly think you can find a 100,00 idiots each year to dish out their hard earned cash for some unreliable peice of junk??

04/11, 10:13 AM

posted by:

400horseSS

From what I understand it tops out at 37k, good luck Ford.

04/11, 10:21 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

the top of the line one hits 34k at least thats what the rep from Ford said at the auto show Its btw 26-34k SHe also said the Eco boost engine will be an option and other things but i was staring at her tits and wasnt paying attention

04/11, 10:27 AM

posted by:

mayer_ray_nagin

lmao 1115 (about the tits)

04/11, 10:29 AM

posted by:

howsmydriving

Flex is underpowered, although the people who buy this kind of vehicle often don’t care about such things.

04/11, 10:29 AM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

I predict the Flex will do well. It’s different, and whether or not it was Ford’s intention it has a retro appeal. I’m not going to say it will have a PT Cruiser-like impact on the market, but in a sea of particularly bland competition it will stand out. Is this enough to sell 100k units? Maybe, but if Explorer sales drop by 50k then it will be a hollow victory.

04/11, 10:31 AM

posted by:

LaCaLover

You can price one up on Ford’s website, but I wan’t interested enough in the Flex to do that so haven’t bothered

04/11, 10:41 AM

posted by:

LaCaLover

$45,190 for a fully loaded Limited AWD in White Platinum Clearcoat

04/11, 10:41 AM

posted by:

1c3d0g

I don’t like the fact that all these CUV’s are FWD-based…at least an option for AWD would be nice. This goes for both Ford and GM.

04/11, 10:56 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

When I went on Edmunds and added navi vista roof dvd and heated second row seats with a console it came to 43k
You are trying to do what Jjacyc was doing and jacking the price up to mislead people but I dont care about Ford anyway
I think you are using MSRP which no one pays unless the car is rare or in high demand like a GTR or something Ford wont have to worry about that lol

04/11, 11:07 AM

posted by:

Pauly

I think the Ford Edge is actually outselling the Pilot tripleonefive even though it’s not as good.

04/11, 11:16 AM

posted by:

400horseSS

$45k LaCaLover, Holy ****.

04/11, 11:22 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Well if you have any links you can send please do. Are you talking the month of March it sold more or over the course of its existance ?
I doubt it is and you are correct the edge is not as good in any way The Pilot has been on the road for 5 years and edge is less expansive bc its american so Its possible but the Pilot is worth more , more reliable and will have a better resale

04/11, 11:29 AM

posted by:

LaCaLover

The Edge looks like an ill-fitting toupee, the body is too big for the wheels

04/11, 11:36 AM

posted by:

crash1433

by the way, 42k sounds like a lot until you compare it to the toyota and honda minivans in their loaded configuration. I believe somewhere around 40 without awd and vista roof. When you look at apples to apples the flex falls into place with its competition.

04/11, 11:42 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

March 2008

Ford Edge sold 13,508

Honda Pilot sold 10,268

GMC Acadia 7,424

Buick Enclave 4,460

Saturn Outlook 2,428

A 5 year old Honda is still selling that many ? Its still outselling the GMC and Saturn combined
The Edge is only outselling it by 3,000 vehicles ?
I doubt that anyone traded their Pilot in for an Edge Acadia Enclave or Outlook

04/11, 11:43 AM

posted by:

tripleonefive

You also have to figure in reliability and resale value of a Ford vs a Honda or Toyota
I would much rather pay the sticker for something that I will last and wont lose it value

04/11, 11:54 AM

posted by:

Get Real

Listen Ford…NO CRAPLASTIC HARD CHEAP INTERIOR.
Get it right or die the death you deserve.

04/11, 12:06 PM

posted by:

AmericanMade

1115 are u Asian?

04/11, 12:26 PM

posted by:

ktulu

I think ford can 2sell 100,000 of these.

The Freestyle/Taurus X is overpriced

the new Pilot is not ugly, notr does it outell the Silverado or Sierra.

The MKS opraobably will flop. I

Not 2 mayy fords cvan be called unreliable peice of junk??

People who buy this kind of vehicle often don’t care about what kind of power they get.

the Ford Edge is a not as good as the piloty.

04/11, 12:51 PM

posted by:

planet_drive

who in their right mind would pay 40k for a ford?? I doubt ford will be able to sell 20,000 of these each year, but a 100,000? thats just soooo funny! lol

04/11, 12:54 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

No Im not but I know which cars last longer and have higher resales and those cars are happen to come from Japan

04/11, 1:52 PM

posted by:

AmericanMade

^
Pretty bold statement….dont you think you may have a teensy weensy bias???

04/11, 2:00 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Not at all Its not a n emotional decision its not based on patriotism its based on solid fact logica and numbers

04/11, 4:48 PM

posted by:

Madcapp

Good, then I can buy a used one for my business for next to nothing.

04/11, 5:00 PM

posted by:

Get Real

Taurus/Five Hundred is also WAY overpriced to compete.

04/11, 6:19 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

logica?

04/11, 6:29 PM

posted by:

S-60-driver

Taurus way overpriced?? Try $199 a month to lease a Limited trim. Buying is for seniors and morons!! LEASE and live a little with 10 different cars in 15 years till you’re about 55 or 60, ready to buy a Buick till u die.

Stop worrying about the prices. There are rebates, and Im sure 50% of you will get an employee discount thru a relative. Just LEASE.

04/11, 6:47 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Yea just like Janito which you are shut up and drive your Tempo

04/11, 7:01 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

Jam
A
Needle
Into
Tripleonefluffer’s
Orifice

04/12, 1:03 AM

posted by:

hateful83

So what does this one do to the Edge? What’s the difference?

04/12, 1:48 PM

posted by:

S-60-driver

^ hateful83….. ummm, the Edge is a personal CUV with 5 seating (most i’ve seen on the roads driven by a driver alone or with a wife/hubby/bf/gf).

Flex is a 7-seater. Anybody who’s coming off an Expedition or Explorer leases/60 mth purchuses(sic), looking for a softer ride and better fuel economy.

04/12, 2:56 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

S-60:good point

04/13, 3:13 PM

posted by:

ricky_b

Exterior is too square and looks like a REALLY large Scion xB (previous model). Interior isn’t too bad but all of Ford’s interior are looking too similar (with too much of a truck look).

$29k to start (Base FWD) going up to $45.5k for a fully loaded Limited AWD. That’s asking a lot for a Ford MINIVAN. Yes, it’s a minivan without sliding doors. But like others have pointed out, once you get Employee prices and $3k+ rebates, you’ll knock a good $5-8k off of that.

 
 
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