What is the last year they made a Ford Flex?
The last Ford Flex was produced for the 2019 model year, ending a decade-long run for the distinctive three-row crossover. Ford completed 2019 production and has not announced a direct successor to the model.
Launched for the 2009 model year, the Flex stood out with its boxy, van-like styling and flexible seating for up to seven passengers. It was built at Ford’s Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, and served as a unique option in Ford’s SUV lineup before the company shifted its focus toward more mainstream three-row crossovers and utilities, leading to its discontinuation after 2019.
Timeline of Ford Flex production
Key milestones in the Ford Flex’s lifecycle, from its launch to the end of production, are summarized below.
- 2009 model year: Ford Flex debuts as a boxy, three-row crossover aimed at families seeking a roomy interior.
- 2013 model year: Mid-cycle refresh introduces styling updates and updated features to keep the model competitive.
- 2019 model year: Ford Flex reaches its final year of production; Ford ends production after this model year.
These milestones highlight the Flex’s rise as a practical family option and its eventual exit as market preferences shifted toward more mainstream SUVs and crossovers.
Why Ford ended the Flex
Several market and strategic factors drove Ford to discontinue the Flex after the 2019 model year.
- Sales declined as buyers gravitated toward conventional three-row crossovers and SUVs with newer tech and styling.
- Ford’s product strategy prioritized other three-row crossovers and SUVs, reducing the need for a niche, boxy model.
- As a relatively niche option, the Flex faced higher production costs and limited dealer allocation compared to more popular competitors.
- Industry trends toward SUVs and crossovers over minivan-like designs contributed to the move away from the Flex’s distinctive niche.
These factors combined to make the Ford Flex less viable as a long-term product, prompting Ford to conclude production after the 2019 model year.
Summary
The Ford Flex’s last year of manufacture was 2019. Introduced in 2009 as a spacious, boxy three-row crossover, it persisted for a decade before Ford concluded production to streamline its lineup and focus on more popular SUV offerings. Today, the Flex remains a notable but discontinued chapter in Ford’s history, remembered for its distinctive design and practical interior.
