Blue Oval Guide Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 1. We have an iconic American car company slumped against the ropes in a downward spiral of bad news on top of bad news and in desperate need of a real mainstream product hit. 2. This company hasn't had a game changer in years, and the Fairlane concept has all the makings of exactly that. A roomy, stylish unapologetic station wagon in a sea of me-too minivans and traditional-looking crossovers with a classic, American look - right out of a Ralph Lauren ad. (Interesting tidbit? Ralph Lauren personally encouraged Bill Ford to bring back the classic American station wagon before the Fairlane concept was designed.) 3. This is a car that Ford absolutely must have in order for Alan Mulally and Mark Fields to be able to turn the company's fortunes around on their watch. Not only that, the entire Ford Motor Company needs this car to be a hit - if only to get the doom and gloom prognosticators to write about something other than Ford's inevitable descent into The Abyss. Given all of that, "Flex" is the absolute best they can do? | READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE | Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lfeg Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I have to agree. Where do they come up withsome of these names? I hope that they are not paying outside consultants, as that would be worse than throwing the money down the sewer. Junk the whole "F"and "E" name scheme and come up with some good names - even use some of the old ones it the Ford braintrust is creatively challenged. When I first heard that they were going to name it the Flex, it reminded me of when one radio station would use the word flex whenever the other, more popular, F word would normally be used. I do not think any Ford should be associated with that word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
partsisparts Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I have to agree. When I think Flex I think workout machine. When I think Galaxy or Country Squire, I think people mover from Ford. We have iconic name plates the marketing people refuse to use. This company has a heritage that the Japanese do not have, and this company refuses to use it. Heritage will tug at the heartstrings of everyone. It is like a favorite song, they bring you back to a different time every time you hear it. The iconic name plates will bring back fond memories for a lot of people and maybe they will look at Ford again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherminator98 Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I like the Flex name...keep in mind the Fairlane name didn't play out well with the dealer network, but then again who are they to complain? The names Flex and Edge work well together... Flex reminds me of the the CUV not being quite a Minivan and nor a SUV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I think Petey D is wayyyyy off on this one. This is a minivan replacement for the children of minivan owners. The baby boomers didn't want their parents' kidmobile, and the echo boomers don't want their parents' kidmobile. Bearing in mind, therefore, that the target audience for this vehicle starts with 30-35 year old family heads, of what value is the use of a heritage name? No one in that age group can REMEMBER any new Ford vehicles before '80 at the EARLIEST, and anyone that knows about names like Fairlane, Galaxie, etc., is either (1) already inclined to buy a Ford anyway or (2) not in the target market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydez Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I wonder if Funk Master Flex with do a Funk Master Flex Flex like he did the Funk Master Flex Fusion last year. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sranger Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 In the words of Carol Shelby "It does not matter what you call it if it is the best..." Lets just hope that it stops in under 160ft from 60mph.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_fairmont_wagon Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Lets also hope that it doesn't go all flame-thrower on us and scorch the vehicle next to it. Though, if the exhaust is pointed directly rearwards, it would discourage tailgating... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 (edited) Besides, the original Caravan & Voyager didn't use Mopar heritage names. In fact the Dodge entry was something of a pun: CAR a VAN. Ditto Taurus--*not a heritage name*. The launch of an innovative product should not require Ford to go trolling through its history in search of the perfect name to resurrect. Edited March 29, 2007 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconman13 Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I agree that it should have a new name, But I liked Reflex better than Flex. As a rule I dont like single sylable names for cars. Think how you would tell someone what car you have. " Its a Ford Flex" Sounds a bit like a joke. But , maybe they are saving Reflex for a hot little B car coupe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noah Harbinger Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I have to agree. When I think Flex I think workout machine. When I think Galaxy or Country Squire, I think people mover from Ford. We have iconic name plates the marketing people refuse to use. This company has a heritage that the Japanese do not have, and this company refuses to use it. Heritage will tug at the heartstrings of everyone. It is like a favorite song, they bring you back to a different time every time you hear it. The iconic name plates will bring back fond memories for a lot of people and maybe they will look at Ford again. Iconic Plates? Country Squire? I'm sorry, but Heritage is not going to sell a car in this day and age -- especially if you tag on a pretentious name like Country Squire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLaudioF150 Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I agree that it should have a new name, But I liked Reflex better than Flex. As a rule I dont like single sylable names for cars. Think how you would tell someone what car you have. " Its a Ford Flex" Sounds a bit like a joke. But , maybe they are saving Reflex for a hot little B car coupe. Reflex sounds like Reflux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goingincirclez Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 (edited) I don't have a problem with them using a new name, because as has been wisely pointed out - even "heritage" names were new at one point. So "It's the PRODUCT, stupid"... But I DO have a problem with them choosing such a tiring, uninspiring name. Say what you want about names like "Camry" "Corolla" "Altima" "Sentra" that make no sense... at least they get you to think, and have absolutely NO other imagery associated to them in the minds of 98% or more of the general public. But "Flex"? As in "Flex Time"? As in "Flex Muscles"? As in "Flex shaft"? As in "what it does when you hit something"? Maybe - just maybe - it truly is a fitting descriptive name for this "flexible" vehicle. But gardangit is that a freakin corny name. The problem with "buzzwordy" names is they date so badly. In 20 years "Flex" will sound as silly and irrelevant as "Galaxy", "Futura" and "Zephyr" do today. And having a "flexible" vehicle will be the minimum price of entry, and no longer something special in and of itself. Now "Flex" would be a good trim level name: Imagine something like "Taurus Flex" or "Edge Flex" or "Fusion Flex" (if there was a Mazda6 wagon version) to denote upfitted models. That works. But "Flex" by itself is flat, pointless. Wow, so Ford says it's flexible. Oh, I get it now: it's a 30-Thousand-Dollar PUN!!! Hee Hee Hoo Ha! Problem solved! It's the FORD PUN (30K)! *at least "caravan" was a clever pun... Edited March 29, 2007 by goingincirclez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falconman13 Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Hey, I got it. FreeStyle Waddyathink! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I don't have an issue with the Flex name... to me, I think "Flexi-ble" like a people-mover should be. I do have a problem with Heritage names like "Country Squire"...thats as bad as "Crown Victoria", and maybe that sect is the only ones that remember it. For there to be heritage that people can relate to, they need to be "that old" to remember. I myself, have never heard, or even seen what a "Country Squirrel" looks like, or even a Galaxy for that matter. The Mustang has really been the only vehicle where Heritage name is recognizable with everyone because it never died, it jsut continued through the years...Granted, once I got the new '05 Mustang GT and was one of the new ones around the area, all the older generations (including my parents).."Oh this is cute, this was taken from the 6X, model, and this from the 6X year, blah blah" I was clueless, other than "Eh, it looks cute, whatever it was"... Some with the Tbird, who knows what when where, other than, it looked good coming together. As for me or anyonemy age group describing where the elements came from...we never cared to ask, or cared to know really, as long as it all come together well.... So for my age group/generation (which is really mostly the ones that will be buying such a vehicle)heritage names are really pointless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I myself, have never heard, or even seen what a "Country Squirrel" looks like You have if you've seen National Lampoon's Family Vacation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I don't have an issue with the Flex name... to me, I think "Flexi-ble" like a people-mover should be. I do have a problem with Heritage names like "Country Squire"...thats as bad as "Crown Victoria", and maybe that sect is the only ones that remember it. For there to be heritage that people can relate to, they need to be "that old" to remember. I myself, have never heard, or even seen what a "Country Squirrel" looks like, or even a Galaxy for that matter. The Mustang has really been the only vehicle where Heritage name is recognizable with everyone because it never died, it jsut continued through the years...Granted, once I got the new '05 Mustang GT and was one of the new ones around the area, all the older generations (including my parents).."Oh this is cute, this was taken from the 6X, model, and this from the 6X year, blah blah" I was clueless, other than "Eh, it looks cute, whatever it was"... Some with the Tbird, who knows what when where, other than, it looked good coming together. As for me or anyonemy age group describing where the elements came from...we never cared to ask, or cared to know really, as long as it all come together well.... So for my age group/generation (which is really mostly the ones that will be buying such a vehicle)heritage names are really pointless. I pretty much agree with you, except that some of the heritage names do sound pretty cool. I think "Galaxy" is just a cool name for a vehicle, regardless of what vehicles used it in the past. It screams modern, referencing outerspace. Heck, what is more cutting edge than space travel? "Country Squire" though, oh heavens no. It sounds dated and there's nothing modern or cool about it. If Ford could successfully revive some of its MODERN sounding heritage names then I see nothing wrong with it. It would be able to connect with any generation of carbuyer. But they need to be selective with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 You have if you've seen National Lampoon's Family Vacation. Ohhhhh, thats what it is...Ok yeah now I remember....and if thats the vehicle, then YUCK, no thank you. I'm picturing wood siding all around. Again, like my other thread that I mentioned my dislike for wood...this whole "Cozy wannabe feeling" of a 60'-70's northern basement wood paneling, motel motif" decor, is garrish. Of course 40 years from now when our cars have Corian surfaces, stainless steel and carbon mentallics, we'll be thinking "Ewww, who would put chrome on vehicle interiors, gross" LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 (edited) Corian? YECH. No thank you. Nothing like paying a fortune for something that has no aesthetic value. I can about imagine the factory tours: This is Corian. We made it by getting all the air bubbles out of a big vat of polyurethane, and then letting it harden. After that we pretend it's marble and cut it apart with wire saws. Pretty cool, huh? I've never liked Corian, except their architect's samples are about the only samples short of real stone (and wood) that you can break windows with. Edited March 29, 2007 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Well I was using that as example, since whenever someone mentions Ford interiors "plasticky" interiors, we usually joke about and say "What did you expect, Corian". But I agree, being in that field, I never use Corian because for the same price you can get Granite, Zodiac, Silestone or equivilent product because glossy/shiny countertops are in right now. Although as for patterns...yikes, I've seen some Silestone with glittery flecks which make me question the persons taste...but of course, depending upon the decor, it might look well.... I just feel sorry for the next buyers come resell, when they are stuck with a brothel red, glittery flakey countertop.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I haven't seen Silestone (haven't worked in an architect's office since 1998). Description makes me think of those old countertops with red pebbles embedded in lucite. --- I don't like Corian because there's no depth to it. From an aesthetic standpoint it's no better than Formica--and these days laminates are more than equal to the abuse they're likely to see in most kitchens, and since you can get granite for the same price, why the heck wouldn't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherminator98 Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I've never liked Corian, except their architect's samples are about the only samples short of real stone (and wood) that you can break windows with. Speaking from personal experience? :shades: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 (edited) Speaking from personal experience? :shades: The architect I worked for was a real --------- actually, any of a number of nouns would work here, provided they were suitably nasty and contemptuous. Many was the moment I found myself hefting a piece of Corian and calculating a trajectory....... Edited March 29, 2007 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 "carbon mentallics" Is that like some material that thinks it's a fender? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 No, that was just me inventing some word...who knows what our cars will be decorated with in the inside, in the next 40 years...now it's wood and aluminum, piano black, or painted steel wannabe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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