Right on cue with America’s abandonment of large trucks and SUVs, Ford ’s all-new Flex crossover vehicle began rolling off the company’s production floor in Oakville, Ontario on Wednesday. Unlike General Motors’ move to offer a full-size hybrid SUVs, Ford is banking that former Expedition and Explorer buyers will flock to the Flex — to the tune of 100,000 units per year — because of the Flex’s relative low cost of entry and better-than-average fuel economy for a large vehicle.
A small ceremony was held at Ford’s Oakville Assembly Complex to commemorate the achievement, featuring Canada’s own Wayne Gretzky.
The addition of the Flex to the Oakville assembly plant and strong demand for the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX — which are also built in Oakville — has lead to the creation of 500 new jobs at the plant.
“The products are selling as fast as we can build them. We’re adding another show-stopper vehicle, and we’re creating new employment,†said Barry Engle, Ford of Canada president and CEO.
The Ford Flex is scheduled to roll into dealer showrooms this summer.
