Ford Flex Singled Out for the 2009 ‘Collectible Vehicle of the Future’ Award

From America’s new cars and trucks launched in 2009, the Ford Flex will become the most desired by future car collectors. That is the prediction of the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC).

Members of the organization, which supports the world-famous automotive collection at the Detroit Public Library, vote annually to predict the “Collectible Vehicle of the Future” from the year’s new American-built cars and trucks. The Ford Flex was selected from eight all-new vehicles launched in 2009.

The award was presented to Ford executives by the Friends of the NAHC at their annual holiday reception on Thursday, Dec. 10 at NAHC quarters in the Skillman Branch Library in downtown Detroit.

The NAHC is the world’s largest public archive of automotive lore and a treasure for automotive historians, journalists and collectors. Its collection of books, manuals, photos, company histories and historic documents is open to the public.

“We are delighted that the Ford Flex has been recognized by the NAHC as having a design that will become a collectible of the future,” said Kate Pearce, Flex marketing manager at Ford.

“We knew from the start that we had a vehicle with stand-out design that looks like nothing else on the road, but that also meets the needs of our customers looking for passenger space with innovative technology and great fuel economy,” she said. “Reaction from our customers has been fantastic and we hope they will enjoy their cars long into the future.”

Charles K. Hyde, chairman of the NAHC Board of Trustees, said, “This selection is unique among all the ‘Vehicle of the Year’ awards, because it is selected by car buffs who know what future collectors will value. We asked our members to predict which of this year’s new vehicles will turn heads in the Woodward Cruise of 2034.”

Previous winners are:
2008 Dodge Challenger
2007 Dodge Viper SRT10
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2005 Ford Mustang
2004 Chrysler 300
2003 Dodge Viper
2002 Ford Thunderbird
1996 Chrysler Sebring Convertible
1995 Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Aurora
(None selected from 1997 to 2001)

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.