[caption id="attachment_162" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Unveiling the 2009 Ford Flex, McCafferty Ford"][/caption]

After my recent visit to Ford in Detroit, I thought I would "go out in field," where it really happens, and visit a few Ford dealerships during their Flex Consumer Event, parties that dealers hosted to introduce this very unique vehicle, in a very unique way, to the general public.  Unfortunately I missed many of these as getting schedules to dealer Flex events around the country was impossible from one database or resource [Why was that? Shouldn’t there have been a single place where any consumer could go on the Web to find out about the dealer events in his/her area?  Isn’t that what social networks and social media are for?  I would assume that this would have boosted visibility and attendance, therefore, I’ll volunteer to host the schedule for any and all future auto- related consumer events.  By the way – it’s a great way for me to know how/where to attend a few…I do love a good party!]

At any rate, relying on an old friend from Philadelphia, John Possumato… (see his latest blog on the Flex by the way at www.Possumato.com), I did get information and some "Flex paraphernalia" from some of the dealers who "did it up right" in the Philly region.  You can check out my last blog on the happenings, including some pictures from Lilliston Ford in Vineland, NJ, Haldeman Ford in Hamilton Square, NJ, and C & C Ford in Horsham, PA… and with a bit of luck I should be receiving a video of the Lilliston event soon. Stay tuned!

FLEX’n with the Diva: 2 Special Invitations

I’m most excited to say though, that I eagerly received and accepted an invitation to go to two dealer

Flex Consumer Events in person.  The first was with Jim Thomas, Steve Amabile and their crew at Springfield Ford, in Springfield, PA, on August 20th. And the second was an extra special event at McCafferty Ford in Langhorne, PA, August 22nd, with Todd Buch, Chris Bove, Lisa Markley and all the individuals that helped to create what I heard was one of the best Flex intro parties ever  ...and I’m not just saying that because they had a bunch of special t-shirts made with the caricature of, well, yours truly, the CarsDiva (although that certainly made it extra special for me!)

Social Media Savvy at Springfield Ford

Springfield Ford was under construction during their Flex event- they’re doing major renovations to their facility (which I can’t wait to come back and check out when it’s finished!)  However, they did their best to throw a successful

event in a very small section of the showroom given the circumstances.  I was more so eager to meet dealer principal Jim Thomas, and especially General Sales Manager, Steve Amabile, as Steve is very active on the Web on blogs, online networks, etc... (We actually met through a "Flex forum.")  Steve started in the Internet Department at Springfield Ford- (one of the early pioneers in automotive Internet sales) and he had actually sold several Ford Flex vehicles through his online networking and delivered one as far away as Japan!  So that being said, I was anxious to meet him and perhaps learn a thing or two from his experience in using social media to promote the Flex for Springfield Ford.

Click here to watch my interview with Steve Amabile.

First-Class All the Way at McCafferty Ford

McCafferty Ford in Langhorne, PA, historically one of the highest volume and most consumer (female

especially) friendly Ford dealers in the Philladelphia region, characteristically went the extra mile to prepare for and promote their Flex party; they even announced in advance that I would be attending the event! (Check out the announcement at http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/news/bcct/cars-diva-to-visit-mccafferty.  I spoke to Chris Bove, General Sales Manager at McCafferty , prior to the event, and he enthusiastically told me about their plans, including having a DJ, hors’ devours, plenty of staff on hand to welcome the guests all building up to the "unveiling of the Flex" complete with a vehicle "walk-around" presentation.  After the "unveiling" there were plenty of vehicles available for guests to "ride and drive" and experience the impressive driving attribute of the Flex on their own.  Of course,

one of the most exciting things (and surprising for me) were the exclusive shirts they made up with my caricature and the line, "McCafferty Ford was Flex’n with the Diva" – quite an honor guys!

In my opinion, the group at McCafferty Ford was really a forward-thinking crew, starting at the top with President, Todd Buch, and including the management team, Chris Bove, and Lisa Markely, Internet Sales Manager.  They all shared not only their receptive attitude, but also their eager willingness to dive into social media, particularly as it relates to the Ford Flex.  Lisa, their expert in the Internet Department, discussed with me the importance of establishing and then retaining her relationship with customers, particularly female consumers.  And from the way the the McCafferty crew interacted with the consumers at the event, many of them already loyal customers, I could see first-hand that what they said held true.

From what I saw at both Springfield Ford and McCafferty Ford, consumers reacted very positively to the introduction of the Flex, once they fully experienced the vehicle.  There were those who came because they loved the Flex from the get-go, and others were intrigued and wanted to learn more about it.  After a successful event at Springfield Ford and a spectacular party at McCafferty Ford, I definitely look forward to attending future dealership events, specifically at these stores – I can’t wait for my next trip back!

 Click here to see more photos from the events!

During the first sit down interview (think "The View"), I was joined by several Ford Execs, including Anthony Prozzi, Ford Designer (Interior Design Manager of the Flex), Kate Pearce, Ford Flex Marketing Manager, and Usha Raghavachari, Ford CUV Marketing Communications Manager, who shared their insight, expert information and passion about the Flex. Jay Ward, Ford SUV/CUV Communications Manager, later joined us for the walk-around tour of the vehicle.

What’s a Flex?

So what is the Ford Flex? Well Kate Pearce said that "it’s something really unique and different in the market." It’s defined by Ford as a crossover, which is a vehicle that combines the best features of a car, coupled with the capabilities of an SUV. "We fundamentally believe that Flex is the next game changer for Ford. There will be nothing else like it in the marketplace," said Kate Pearce.

Anthony Prozzi added that he thinks, "what makes a game changer, and a vehicle like the Flex so important

is the fact that it is well designed." (coming from a designer himself!) "In an arena with so many competitors, the thing that’s going to set you apart is obviously the way it looks…first impressions always make the lasting impression. Its looks, its overall appearance, enhanced with all the comfort and driving dynamics of it, you have not only a game changer, but you have something that’s significant and a homerun for Ford Motor Company."

And the Flex is for…

And who’s the target customer? Well, this time it’s not about a demographic,

but a psychographic. That is, the Flex customer is someone who wants to avoid the norm and make a statement. "Our target consumer, we describe them as an attitude rather than a demographic," said Usha Raghavachari. "We’re getting so much positive feedback from young

 and old, alike…we like to describe them as people who invest in the interesting."

In my opinion, well the vehicle is definitely interesting, and indeed, it evokes a reaction. As to what kind of reaction- well you decide! Whether you’re a fan or not, you have to admit, the Flex does draw attention. And if you’re not convinced by your first impression, give it the benefit of the doubt and check out the inside. Quite extraordinary, I must say…

As part of the new vehicle launch, Ford dealers across the country are throwing consumer parties to "unveil" the Flex. Unfortunately I missed some of them, but I was lucky enough to get a couple Flex souvenirs from the successful events hosted by my friends in the Philadelphia area- Lilliston Ford (Vineland, NJ), Haldeman Ford, (Hamilton Square, NJ), and C & C Ford (Horsham, PA). And next week (August 18-22), I’ll be checking out the Flex events at Springfield Ford and McCafferty Ford. Stay tuned….

If you’re interested in learning more…

[caption id="attachment_22" align="alignright" width="162" caption="CarsDiva wearing a Lilliston Ford t-shirt from their Flex event."][/caption]

Check out the site to learn more about the 2009 Ford Flex, particularly the "CarsDiva Directory of Reviews" which is a compilation of all the Flex reviews on the Web.  Post your thoughts in the discussion forum, and take a peak at the calendar to learn about Flex events in your area, and to see which Flex event I’ll be at next! 

[caption id="attachment_23" align="alignleft" width="163" caption="CarsDiva sporting a Flex t-shirt and toting a Flex bag from C & C Ford."][/caption]

Videos (and more on Ford’s Blueprint for Sustainability with John Viera, Director of Sustainable Business Strategies) soon to follow!!!

During the first sit down interview (think "The View"), I was joined by several Ford Execs, including Anthony Prozzi, Ford Designer (Interior Design Manager of the Flex), Kate Pearce, Ford Flex Marketing Manager, and Usha Raghavachari, Ford CUV Marketing Communications Manager, who shared their insight, expert information and passion about the Flex. Jay Ward, Ford SUV/CUV Communications Manager, later joined us for the walk-around tour of the vehicle.

What's a Flex?

So what is the Ford Flex? Well Kate Pearce said that "it’s something really unique and different in the market." It’s defined by Ford as a crossover, which is a vehicle that combines the best features of a car, coupled with the capabilities of an SUV. "We fundamentally believe that Flex is the next game changer for Ford. There will be nothing else like it in the marketplace," said Kate Pearce.

Anthony Prozzi added that he thinks, "what makes a game changer, and a vehicle like the Flex so important is the fact that it is well designed." (coming from a designer himself!) "In an arena with so many competitors, the thing that’s going to set you apart is obviously the way it looks…first impressions always make the lasting impression. Its looks, its overall appearance, enhanced with all the comfort and driving dynamics of it, you have not only a game changer, but you have something that’s significant and a homerun for Ford Motor Company."

And the Flex is for...

And who’s the target customer? Well, this time it’s not about a demographic, but a psychographic. That is, the Flex customer is someone who wants to avoid the norm and make a statement. "Our target consumer, we describe them as an attitude rather than a demographic," said Usha Raghavachari. "We’re getting so much positive feedback from young and old, alike…we like to

describe them as people who invest in the interesting."

In my opinion, well the vehicle is definitely interesting, and indeed, it evokes a reaction. As to what kind of reaction- well you decide! Whether you’re a fan or not, you have to admit, the Flex does draw attention. And if you’re not convinced by your first impression, give it the benefit of the doubt and check out the inside. Quite extraordinary, I must say… 

As part of the new vehicle launch, Ford dealers across the country are throwing consumer parties to "unveil" the Flex. Unfortunately I missed some of them, but I was lucky enough to get a couple Flex souvenirs from the successful events hosted by my friends in the Philadelphia area- Lilliston Ford (Vineland, NJ), Haldeman Ford (Hamilton Square, NJ), and C & C Ford (Horsham, PA). And next week (August 18-22), I’ll be checking out the Flex events at Springfield Ford and McCafferty Ford.  Stay tuned…

If you're interested in learning more...

[caption id="attachment_173" align="alignright" width="162" caption="CarsDiva wearing a Lilliston Ford t-shirt from their Flex event."][/caption]

For those of you "Flex Fanatics" out there, (or for those whose interest was peaked), check out my new social network devoted to the Flex, spun out of CarsDiva.com, called FlexFans.org, which centers on the Ford Flex. And take a peak at the calendar to learn about Flex events in your area, and to see which Flex event I’ll be at next!

[caption id="attachment_172" align="alignleft" width="163" caption="CarsDiva sporting a Flex t-shirt and toting a Flex bag from C & C Ford."][/caption]

Videos (and more on Ford’s Blueprint for Sustainability with John Viera, Director of Sustainable Business Strategies) soon to follow!!!