FORD FLEX NAMED AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE ALL-STAR

  • The all-new 2009 Ford Flex has been named one of AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s 2009 All-Stars
  • Editors of AUTOMOBILE Magazine applauded Flex’s exterior design, interior roominess and high-tech features

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 17, 2008 – The all-new 2009 Ford Flex has been named one of AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s 2009 All-Stars.

“We were taken by the Flex’s exterior design, which is thoroughly modern while harking back to the glory days of U.S. automakers, and a cabin that is a masterpiece of ergonomic engineering and chock-full of high-tech features,” said Jean Jennings, president and editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE Magazine.

AUTOMOBILE Magazine is one of the country’s leading automotive lifestyle publications. All-Stars were chosen following an intensive test drive of the year’s most innovative and important new cars, says Jennings. Winners were selected based on design, value and performance, driving enjoyment and the vehicle’s ability to redefine an existing category or create a new market segment.

“With seven-passenger capacity and generous proportions, the Flex is a vehicle that defies conventional wisdom,” said Jennings. “The Flex concentrates on refinement and emphasizes style while being as practical as a minivan.”

According to Ford Crossover Communications Manager Usha Raghavachari, the Flex is successfully attracting new customers to Ford, half of which are completely new to the brand.

“Customers are initially drawn to the Flex by its fresh, distinctive design and upscale, yet functional interior,” she said. “They are also captivated by innovative new technologies, like SYNC, which allows you to voice-activate your cell phone and MP3 player; a class-exclusive fridge, which cools and freezes; and SIRIUS® Travel Link™, which among other things allows you to get real-time traffic and weather and check gas prices at 120,000 gas stations across the country.”

Flex also ranks at the top of its class with fuel economy, providing 24 mpg on the highway. The vehicle also comes standard with six air bags, a Safety Canopy System® and Advance Trac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™).

“All in all, it’s a truly irresistible combination that makes the Flex worthy of being an AUTOMOBILE Magazine All-Star,” said Raghavachari.

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About AUTOMOBILE Magazine
AUTOMOBILE Magazine (www.automobilemag.com), part of Source Interlink Media, LLC, was founded in 1986 and has a circulation of 550,000 and a total readership of four million. Recipient of more editorial awards than any other major automotive publication, AUTOMOBILE Magazine is designed to appeal to the interests of passionate automotive enthusiasts. Its diverse editorial mix includes behind-the-wheel experiences in the world’s most fascinating cars, as well as personalities, travel destinations, automotive art, vintage cars and industry trends.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 224,000 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.