FORD FLEX UNVEILED AS ‘URBAN TRUCK OF THE YEAR

From: Ford News Release 1/17/09

• The all-new 2009 Ford Flex is named 'Urban Truck of the Year' by Multicultural panel of independent judges.
• The Flex beat out finalists BMW X6 and the Dodge Ram to win the title.
• Flex has been turning heads with its unique exterior design, spacious interior, car-like ride and handling and host of innovative technologies.
• Flex is a safety leader, earning 5-star frontal- and 5-star side-impact crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as the “Top Safety Pick” award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

 Ford Flex, the vehicle that dares to be different, has earned yet another accolade – it’s been chosen as the Truck of the Year in the 13th annual Urban Wheel Awards, the automotive industry’s premier diversity awards ceremony sponsored by On Wheels Media, Inc.

The award winners are chosen by a multicultural panel of 23 judges from a broad array of newspaper, magazine, broadcast and Internet outlets. Judges were asked to nominate three vehicles in the categories of car and trucks. The truck category also includes crossovers and SUVs.

The Flex beat out finalists BMW X6 and the Dodge Ram to win the title.

“This award is more about the urban environment than ethnicity,” said Randi Payton, CEO and President of On Wheels Media, Inc. “We’re looking at the needs of urban drivers. We’re looking at how the car handles in tight spaces, how it turns, how it performs on city streets. The judges take the cars out, drive them, and give them numbers based on how they do. We just add them together. This year, Flex was it.”

Judges lauded the Flex for its overall design package and detailing that gave it an edge over its competition.

“Ford’s Flex offers design, comfort, flexibility, good looks and technology in a distinctive package that is an utterly fresh statement,” said judge Brian Armstead of AutoSense. “Thoughtful touches like the hidden rocker panels, capless fuel filler, and the illuminating touch pad locking system set the Flex apart in a very crowded segment.”

Jim Farley, Ford’s group vice president of Global Marketing and Communications says Ford’s all-new full-size crossover is attracting new customers, half of which are completely new to the Ford brand. . “Customers are initially drawn to the Flex by its bold and innovative exterior design. There’s nothing like this on the road,” he said. “They are also captivated by the vehicle’s upscale, yet functional interior which features a wide array of exciting, new technologies.”

On Wheels Media, Inc., is an automotive multi-media communications company that produces print, digital, broadcast and events. Publications include African Americans on Wheels, Latinos on Wheels and Asians on Wheels magazines, which are distributed in more than 100 newspapers throughout the U.S. and have a combined readership of 8 million.