Ford reduces time between styling changes to three years
Click above for high-res gallery of our first drive of the 2009 Ford Flex
According to Peter Horbury, Ford's head of design in North America, the Blue Oval will be shortening the time frame between major styling changes for its models from five years to three. This move is part of a plan to reduce the need for large incentives to move older models that haven't had a major redesign in 4 - 5 years. Apparently, the company has not seen big sales jumps with its standard practice of giving older models minor facelifts. So, for instance, the Ford Flex, which is arriving to market as we speak, could see some major changes for its first makeover on which designers are already working. First seen in 2005 as the Fairlane concept, the Flex could be in danger of getting stale faster than other models. Considering that we just drove the new 2009 Ford Flex for the first time, already starting its next major restyling is a good sign that Ford's planning ahead these days.
Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Ford Flex
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
AKJeeper 5:09PM (6/16/2008)
What is this? A cross between a MINI and a Scion xB?
Reply
Torrent 5:10PM (6/16/2008)
Except the mini doesn't hold 7 people and the xB is fugly, yes.
That One Person 6:24PM (6/16/2008)
What is this? The same reply we have heard since the Fairlane concept came out?
WE......GET......IT!!!
Dave 8:25PM (6/16/2008)
Ford shouldn't wait 3-years for this vehicle to be face lifted. They need to start now.
Who is going to put down $40,000 for this thing?
C.W. 8:30PM (6/16/2008)
dave,
its best in class for starting price. it's tied for best in class for fuel economy, it is testing as best in class for ride comfort and road noise... these are 7 passenger vehicles in a class much different than your $16k econobox... why is this such a difficult concept to grasp?? this vehicle is for people who want/need a larger vehicle but NEED car-like fuel economy. people will buy it. you wont, but people will.
Torrent 11:27PM (6/16/2008)
Dave, AMOF, I would buy it. No actually, I will buy it.
Torrent 5:09PM (6/16/2008)
Hence the Taurus- A redesign in 2008, with a scheduled redesign in 2010 means a 2 year timespan between redesigns- which also means they are officially changing designs faster than U.S. Presidents.
Reply
Vintage 5:13PM (6/16/2008)
Planned obsolescence is a huge rat race. Drive something old enough to be slightly cool again and you'll be out of that game.
Reply
James 5:13PM (6/16/2008)
I think this is a horrible move by Ford. What better way to scare off new car buyers than to make full/major redesigns just 3 years apart? You can almost sense there will be a big lack of style cohesion across Ford's products.
Reply
chrisdavis 7:54PM (6/16/2008)
Just the opposite. With major restyles happening more frequently, you'd have new designs next to 3yr old versions, not next to 5yr old versions.
C.W. 8:32PM (6/16/2008)
james,
its a good thing you dont work on product committees. what ford is doing is EXACTLY what brings younger customers to your company and retains older ones...
Bryan 5:42PM (6/16/2008)
But if you buy a vehicle 2 years into its design, you know in an year the new redesign will come out. Which in return, would still hurt. Because why would I buy something now if I knew in an year the redesign comes out, which would stop me from buying. I understand its about staying fresh, but maybe to fresh?
Reply
Grant 5:24PM (6/16/2008)
They've had most of the same looking trucks for years, each one getting some kind of facelift while retaining the old design. Same thing with the five hundred, just a nose job and a new name, but not a COMPLETE redesign. It doesn't have to be three years, but Ford needs to completely redesign their cars and trucks every few years instead of just applying lipstick.
Reply
Torrent 5:55PM (6/16/2008)
My old saying: Adding makeup doesn't hide age lines.
agreed w/ you 100%
1337 3:24PM (6/17/2008)
They can facelift the focus every year, but it will still be an ancient design. Ford should look to Honda and Toyota--they do an evolutionary redesign every four years, and it works wonders.
Soccer Mom 5:26PM (6/16/2008)
So Ford decided to wreck chaos and terror by introducing new ugliness to the roads of N.America 1.5 quicker than before.
Reply
That One Person 6:24PM (6/16/2008)
Well, with the way things may go with Ford's designs, their vehicles may actually get more attractive. Sure, the current crop and soon to be produced products aren't so "hot". But the new Fiesta may be a start to Ford's design "revival".
And if they photos of the "next Taurus", which have been floating around for a few months, are a true hint to what it is going to look like, then I wouldn't worry about ugly.
XJ 5:37PM (6/16/2008)
So if I were to buy a new Ford today, it may be TWO generations old by the time I pay it off?
Reply
ML 2:07AM (6/17/2008)
Good point, except for one thing. If the car you were to buy was good looking, you wouldn't care. But the cars Ford is bringing to market lately are NOT good looking. So maybe that's their secret. Offer the public ugly cars and in three years they'll be dying to buy the new model. Of course, 'once burned...' will drive many to other manufacturers.
Disgruntled Goat 5:53PM (6/16/2008)
Hey, don't complain, this Flex thing will need all the styling updates it can get, and the sooner the better.
Reply