FORD PARTNERS WITH CHARITY "BAND FROM TV" FOR ULTIMATE URBAN ADVENTURE IN NEW 2009 FORD FLEX

  • The Ford Flex Rally will be hosted by charity partner "Band From TV," pitting ten teams of celebrities in a cross-town challenge event for charity featuring the new 2009 Flex crossover.
  • Charity Partner “Band From TV,” with members including Greg Grunberg (“Heroes”), Hugh Laurie (“House”), Teri Hatcher (“Desperate Housewives”) and Jesse Spencer (“House”), is donating all performance proceeds to charities of band members’ choice.
  • The distinctive 2009 Ford Flex, with its signature side grooves, all-black glass area and distinct two-tone roof, it is like no other vehicle on the road.
  • The 2009 Ford Flex is now on its way to Ford dealers across the U.S.

LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2008 - Ford has partnered with the “Band From TV" (BandFromTV.org), to create the Ford Flex Rally, a scavenger hunt-style charity challenge in greater Los Angeles that allows 10 celebrity teams to put the new 2009 Ford Flex and its interactive technologies through its paces.

The event is scheduled for June 21 and will be hosted by “Band From TV.”  The event will feature a host of stars from TV, film and music, each of whom will ride in a Flex and attempt to answer a series of clues giving them directions to the next venue.

"The new Flex from Ford is cool, man,” said Greg Grunberg, founder of “Band From TV.”  "I’ve got 3 kids and I’m the drummer in the band and this car works for my lifestyle.  Anytime my band gets to play a big party like the Flex Launch and raise a ton of money for our charities is a great day in my book."

"Band From TV" is a charity cover band of television actors who donate the proceeds of their performances and recordings to the charities of their choice.  Greg Grunberg formed "Band From TV" after performing at a House of Blues with several other celebrities, garnering a surprising amount of buzz and fan interest. Additional “Band” members include Hugh Laurie (“House”), Teri Hatcher (“Desperate Housewives”) and Jesse Spencer (“House”).

Following the Flex Rally, the “Band From TV” will perform at an exclusive red-carpet event at the finish line that will also feature a performance from up-and-coming musical artist Santogold, with Downtown Records.  

 “The Ford Flex Rally is an opportunity to support the “Band From TV’s” important mission through an event that explores the vibrancy and energy of Los Angeles in Flex – a car of similar dynamic energy and adventurous spirit,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president, Marketing and Communications.

The Rally will start and conclude in Downtown Los Angeles; the various stops along the way will capture the urban vitality and fresh thinking of the 2009 Ford Flex.

“Flex customers seek out new experiences, and the Flex is the perfect car for their urban adventures,” said Usha Raghavachari, Ford Crossover Marketing Communications Manager.  “Flex offers a great combination of surprising space and comfort, clever flexibility and class-leading technologies – all in a distinctive package.”

The 2009 Ford Flex offers many advanced technologies, including SYNC™, an advanced in-car system developed by Ford and Microsoft that voice-activates Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and MP3 players; a new voice-activated navigation with reverse camera system, SIRIUS Travel Link™, which provides users with a suite of data services including continuously updated fuel price information for more than 120,000 gas stations; new premium sound from Sony and innovative, surprise-and-delight features such as an integrated refrigerator between the second-row seats.

About Ford Motor Company 

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 228,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda.  The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.