The
relationship between Ford and Hot 97 on air personality Funkmaster Flex continues
to flourish, as the two prepare to unveil their newest creation, the 2008 Ford
Expedition Funkmaster Flex edition.The
full-sized limited edition production SUV includes a variety of features such
as a 3D Carbon body kit with custom front/rear fascia and side skirts, two-tone
black and Colorado red paint with orange pinstriping, Funkmaster Flex badges on
fenders, Sirius Satellite radio, Funkmaster Flex stitched logo headrests, a limited-edition
Funkmaster Flex numbered dash plaque, 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels and
other unique features.The
vehicle is the latest endeavor between Ford and Flex, who has customized more
than 15 vehicles for Ford since he began working with the company in 2005."Once
Ford and I finished the concept Expedition, we knew we had something serious!
It was poppin’!" he said. "We then started showing it at auto shows,
to dealers and to my fans and realized we hit on some themes that we could turn
into a limited-edition production ride."The
Funkmaster Flex Edition represents a way for Ford to position itself for continued
growth in the vehicle personalization marketplace through its alliance with Flex.
The
auto maker’s research found that nearly half of all new-vehicle buyers are adding
unique touches to their vehicles.
Ford and competitor General Motors (GM), the two largest auto makers in the United
States, both seek to tap in to the lucrative urban automotive market.In
Jan., GM announced a deal with rapper Jay-Z to create a custom color called "Jay-Z
Blue," which the auto maker hopes will resonate with a more youthful audience.Mike
Jackson, GM’s Vice President of Marketing and Promotions, told AllHipHop.com that
the auto maker was in the process of planning the "Jay-Z Blue" rollout."The
idea of having a color option available on GM vehicles called Jay-Z Blue is a
big idea," Jackson told AllHipHop.com. "We are still working through
the creative execution of how we’re going to do it. We are working through the
details of what brands, what models, how we position it, how we communicate it.
It will be available on a number of limited edition GM vehicles."The
news comes as both auto makers revealed today (Apr. 2) that sales continue to fall.
Last
month, Ford’s sales dropped 14 percent, GM dropped 3.2 percent and DaimlerChrysler
AG’s Chrysler’s sales fell 5.5 percent. Shareholders
of DaimlerChrysler are currently exploring the option of selling the Chrysler
brand.The
2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition is slated to hit car dealerships
this fall.
