Ford expected to sell 100,000 Flex crossovers annually

Since the unveiling of the Flex crossover concept nearly a year ago and the subsequent reveal of the production model just one month later, Ford has been relatively quiet on production details about the new model. Speaking at a press event held in Las Vegas, Ford has finally revealed its new Flex crossover will go on sale in the middle of the year and up to 100,000 units are expected to be sold in its first year.

The 100,000 threshold “absolutely” is possible for the 2009 Flex, Ford group vice president of marketing and communications Jim Farley told reporters at the event. “That's what we're looking at production wise."

Ford is counting on buyers downsizing from fullsize SUVs to scoop up the new Flex as well as customers new to the Blue Oval, reports Automotive News. “Flex will find a lot of full-size SUV customers, and a lot of people who haven't bought Fords are going to buy it," Farley boasted.

With fuel prices continuing to rise and customers shifting to smaller vehicles in droves, Ford’s future success will depend on whether it can maintain sales once demand for its fullsize SUVs like the Explorer and Expedition as well as the F150 pickup shrinks.

The new Flex is powered by Ford’s 3.5L V6 and is mated to a 6-speed transmission and AWD system.