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8- The Oakville Beaver, Friday April 20, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Ford has high hopes for Oakville-built Flex CUV By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Canada got its first sneak peak yesterday at the Ford Flex in the flesh. Ford's newest crossover vehicle, which seats up to seven passengers, the Flex was unveiled in the showroom of the Oakville Assembly Complex. A pre-production model ­ Ford representatives say Flex production will start in 2008, with sales beginning that summer ­ the display vehicle didn't have an engine, but it featured all the other bells and whistles the 2009 Flex will offer. A multi-panel sun roof, a hard drive that fits 23,000 songs, an eight-inch display screen, a hands-free voice activated communication and entertainment system, a rear back-up camera, seven colours of interior mood-lighting and an interior fridge are some of the features available in the big, boxy new Flex. "There's an incredible amount of industry firsts and new technology on the inside of this vehicle," said Ford of Canada's SUV and CUV Marketing Plans Manager, Rick Gemin. Remote control in hand, Gemin turned on the car's lights and interior control station to give the small crowd gathered at the plant yesterday a better look. Ford representatives and media eyed the inside of the vehicle as Gemin talked about its "dramatic exterior design" and "dramatic styling, with a focus on comfort." Designed after the recently released Ford Edge, which was parked beside the burgundy show Flex, the new vehicle is two-tone and offers a white or silver roof, and either a six or RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER LOADED WITH EXTRAS: Rick Gemin SUV/CUV Marketing Plans Manager, Ford Canada describes the many new features available in the new Ford Flex including a multi-panel sun roof, an eight-inch display screen, a hands-free voice activated communication and entertainment system, a rear back-up camera and an interior fridge. seven passenger option, compared to the Edge's five-seats. The second row can either be a bench ­ that adds the seventh seat ­ or two seats, with one folding up to allow passengers access to the back two seats. The Flex is not a replacement for the mini van, which has dropped dramatically in sales, but a new kind of "people mover," that, Gemin says, "shatters the image of people movers." The industry has seen interest in SUV's decline to represent just two per cent of sales, Gemin says, and crossovers are on the rise. Last year in the U.S., crossovers surpassed SUV sales for the first time. "We're seeing a very dramatic shift. Five, six, seven passenger, three rows, that's where we think the growth is going to happen," said Gemin. "That's where we see the growth, and there's more to come with the crossovers." And, Gemin added of the Flex, "proudly, it's going to be built here in Canada, by Canadians, for Canadians." And it's great news for the Oakville plant, said Ford's VP of public affairs Lauren More. "The Oakville plant now builds three crossover vehicles," she said, referring to the Flex, Edge and Lincoln MKX. "Crossovers are the fastest growing segment in the industry in North America. That means Oakville and people in Oakville are building the products that are the hottest things on the market." The two things Ford representatives can't answer yet about the Flex are how it will be on gas ­ it's fitted with a fuel-efficient six-speed transmission, but until production starts that's still up in the air ­ or the pricing. The main thing Ford focused on yesterday were the other goodies. "It's not a cooler, it's a fridge ­ it will even freeze," Gemin said, pointing at the small fridge that accommodates up to seven cans of pop and sits between the two seats in the vehicle's middle row. Those two middle row passengers have control of their own moon roofs, separate from the one in the front seat. There's also a third moon roof that stretches across the backseat. Beneath the Ford logo on the trunk of the car is "something you don't see that will see for you" Gemin said, pointing to a hidden camera mounted to allow the driver to watch rear back-ups. Other technology includes the in-car communication and entertainment system, which integrates both mobile phones and digital media players. Then there's the jukebox ­ accessible by a touch-screen or voice recognition ­ that plays more than 150 hours of music downloaded on the in-car hard drive. Other options include an eight-inch drop-down screen for DVDs, AM/FM/MP3 audio systems and a six-CD changer. The pre-production Flex, which was unveiled in New York earlier this month, leaves the Oakville plant today. 2007 WITH 0 252 % LEASE FROM $ * APR Purchase Financing up to 60 months 48 mths. $2,950 down payment *GLS Shown Oakville: Now you can drive the neighbours blue with envy. Blue Ribbon deals are here for Spring on our award-winning line-up, featuring the 7-seat Santa Fe and nimble Tucson. ON SONATA AND SANTA FE FWD 2007 0 227 % LEASE FROM $ * *GLS Shown APR Purchase Financing up to 60 months 48 mths. $3,575down payment 1071 Speers Rd · 905 845-7791 hyundaiofoakville.com Receive a $500 bonus when you purchase or lease a brand new 2007 in-stock Sonata or Santa Fe FWD in April on approved credit (offer not available on Santa Fe AWD models). Offer valid on vehicles delivered by April 30, 2007. $500 will be deducted from the negotiated purchase or lease price after taxes. See dealer for details. *MSRP for 2007 Sonata GL 2.4L automatic with XM Radio/Tucson GL 5-speed with Air/Santa Fe GL 2.7L of $23,795/$22,895/$25,995. MSRP for models shown: 2007 Sonata GLS/Tuscon GLS/Santa Fe GLS of $27,895/$30,795/$34,295. MSRP prices exclude Delivery and Destination charge ($1,345/$1,545/$1,545), applicable license fees, insurance, registration and all taxes. Delivery and Destination charge includes freight, P.D.E., dealer admin fees and a full tank of gas. Purchase Financing available O.A.C. from Hyundai Financial Services on all 2007 Sonata GL 2.4L automatic with XM Radio/Tucson GL 5-speed with Air/Santa Fe GL 2.7L of 0%/0%/0% up to 60/36/36 month terms. Financing example: $15,000/$15,000/$15,000 at 0%/0%/0% per annum equals $250.00/$416.67/$416.67 per month for 60/36/36 months. C.O.B. is $0.00/$0.00/$0.00 for a total obligation of $15,00.00/$15,000.00/$15,000.00. *Leasing offers available O.A.C. from Hyundai Financial Services based on new 2007 Sonata GL 2.4L automatic with XM Radio/Tucson GL 5 speed with Air/Santa Fe GL 2.7L with an annual lease rate of 1.5%/3.7%/2.3%. Monthly payment is $252/$227/$269 per month for a 48/48/48 month walk-away lease. Down payment of $2.950/$3,575/$3,575 and first monthly payment required. Total lease obligation is $15,091/$15,113/$16,487. $0 security deposit required. 20,000 km allowance per year applies. Additional charge of $0.10/km. Lease offers exclude Delivery and Destination ($1,345/$1,545/$1,545) lease acquisition fee ($350), applicable licence fees, insurance, registration, PPSA ($84) and taxes. Delivery and Destination charge includes freight, P.D.E., dealer admin fees and a full tank of gas. All offers expire April 30, 2007 and may not be combined with any other offer. See dealer for details. Dealers are free to set individual prices. ¥7-passenger seating is available on GLS models only. Hyundai's Comprehensive Limited Warranty coverage covers most vehicle components against defects in workmanship under normal use and maintenance conditions. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Hyundai's Comprehensive Limited Warranty coverage covers most vehicle components against defects in workmanship under normal use and maintenance conditions effective for vehicles sold on or after March 22, 2004. All trademarks owned by Hyundai Auto Canada Corporation. They Hyundai names, feature names, images and slogans are owned by Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. and are used under licence. The XM name and logos are registered trade marks of XM Satellite Radio Inc.