There is so much about this one I can’t get my head around.

First, Ford had a great name with a bit of nostalgia… Fairlane. But then they decide to give it an anonymous, non-descript name that will make it suck more connect less with the consumer.

Ford is billing the Flex as an interesting alternative to a minivan, but very little of what made the Fairlane interesting is left. The proportions have been modified, the suicide doors dumped, and overall the Flex has been dumbed down to the point that it looks like a tarted up wagon, not a unique people mover.

Most importantly, I can’t figure out where this fits into Ford’s model line. Ford already has the Edge and Freestyle/Taurus X/Whatever. The Flex is a similar size and has similar seating as the Freestyle. So why does it exist?

• Is the Freestyle being discontinued? (Then why revamp as the Taurus X for one year?)
• Is it supposed to be a ritzier alternative to the Taurus X? (Then why is it not a Mercury? Isn’t that what Mercury is for?)
• Is it supposed to be Minivan 2.0 (Then why the conventional door… a hip-styled people mover with sliding door would give Chrysler a run for it’s money.)

Sorry guys, but it looks like Ford is earning all the trouble they are having.