Where Is Ford taking the Lincoln Motor Company?

berri

I think Shifty is right that Lincoln is choosing to take on Lexus while Cadillac goes against the Germans. I'm thinking Lincoln is making the right call for their brand to grow. I also like the looks of some of the new Lincoln products coming out; interior and exterior.

akirby

I'd say they're going after more Audi than Lexus, but definitely both.

Mr_Shiftright

Maybe, if the shopper never drove an Audi before. Driven back to back, from all the road testing I've read, these two brands are delivering a decidely different driving experience.

akirby

Maybe for S or RS models, but does a standard fwd or fwd based AWD A6 drive that much better?

I think the 400 hp MKZ with torque vectoring AWD may change that even on the S models.

Mr_Shiftright

I haven't driven them so i can't say but the new A6 is getting very good reviews. One problem Ford, GM and Chrysler have had for a long time is that they are trying to best the competition's LAST model, not the new one.

akirby

Trying to out-German the Germans won't work. Lincoln is just trying to build the best vehicle they can (finally) given the current platform limitations.

I think the new CD6 platform will allow Lincoln to go even higher in the marketplace but that's 2-3 years away at least. MKZ and Continental should be fine in the interim.

stever

"Ford's luxury Lincoln lineup has done a great job of jumping on the luxury SUV trend.

Thanks to the surge in Lincoln's SUV sales, for example, it's on pace to record roughly 110,000 vehicle sales in 2016, a feat the brand hasn't managed since 2007. It would also be its third consecutive year of increases. The company hasn't had a stretch like that since at least 1998"

1 Encouraging Trend for Major Automakers (foxbusiness.com)

berri

I think Lincoln is smart to take the Lexus "old-time" American" approach to luxury. Too many brands are chasing the European approach. Both have their fans and I suspect if it continues to spread we'll find out that millennials are split as well.

cdnpinhead

The Lazarus board lives!

It's interesting to watch what's happening with/to Lincoln these days, given where some of us thought they were headed back in 2000.

berri

I hope they succeed, but initially I think they are going to have to invest in more differences from Ford to significantly grow at a luxury price point. Personally, I like the idea of two domestic luxury products with opposed product line strategy. Right now it seems to be Buick vs. Cadillac, but if Lincoln can continue on a growth path that should change.

Michaell

I'd like to see Lincoln return to "real" names for all their models ... the Continental is a revered and recognized name, and, frankly, the whole "MK_" model names are just confusing.

I liked the name Aviator for the Explorer clone - I'm sure we can find other good names for the Fusion, Taurus, Escape and Flex clones.

Any thoughts?

stever

No argument from me.

I always liked the Marks too.

[Deleted User]

Lincoln is doing better largely on the strength of the MKC and MKX, along with improved sales of the refreshed Navigator. The new Nav, when it gets here, will goose sales. The Continental will sell better than the bloated dumpy MKS, but the sedan market is shrinking, leaving little opportunity for growth there. That is Cadillac's problem. Too many sedans and not enough crossovers or SUVs.

akirby

I bought a 2016 MKX back in March and it's a fantastic vehicle - super quiet and comfortable with lots of gadgets. Other than a park sensor that's too sensitive we haven't had any problems but others have not been so lucky - water leaks, bad throttle bodies, panel gap issues, etc. Seems to be a combination of factory specific issues and poor engineering. All of the European based platforms have had similar issues in North America (Fusion/MKZ, Edge/MKX, Escape/MKC, Focus).

Aviator can't get here soon enough. We're still not sure what CD6 will bring. At one time it was thought to spawn Aviator, a replacement for MKZ and/or Continental and a 2 door coupe/cabriolet in addition to Explorer, Mustang and possibly a new Ford sedan. But insiders are saying the bean counters have taken over at Ford with Fields in charge so it's hard to say. Will be interesting to see what turns up at the auto shows the next 5 months.

Sales are down at Caddy which isn't good considering how much they've spent on new vehicles and platforms. CT6 is selling better than I expected but Gregg is right they need utilities. At least their ATPs are pretty high thanks to Escalade and CT6 - a lot higher than Lincoln if you believe GM's press release.

fintail

A good friend of mine leased an MKZ 2 years ago, when he was 37 - definitely throwing off the average age curve. Lease is eventually coming due, and he's pleased with the car - his spouse wants to buy it out. I am not aware of his car having any real issues.

berri

Well that MKZ is a Fusion, so not surprised it has been a good car.

akirby

MKZ is pretty solid now as is the Fusion, but when they launched in late 2012 it was a nightmare with vehicles being held at the factory for weeks. They even shipped some from Mexico to Michigan to replace the headlamps. There were still a lot of trim issues, fuel tanks that had to be replaced, headlamps, etc. from the first year of production.

berri

I honestly think Detroit has an engineer problem. They are experiencing increasing retirements, new engineers from the best schools are in the drivers seat in the job market right now, and many don't seem all that interested in the auto business. Maybe a factor of there aren't as many young car nuts these days and Detroit's reputation for boom and bust with associated layoffs. It is going to be interesting over the next few years as Toyota makes these many changers to their automotive platforms and drivetrains. I think it will eventually tell the tale of whether Asian engineering is still dominating in automotive. I don't think the answer is really obvious right now.

akirby

Don't forget there was also a mass exodus of experienced engineers as Ford (and GM/FCA to a lesser extent) had to cut costs to survive in the mid to late 2000s.

kbill07

I am 35 year old male who currently leases 2015 Reserve Awd Mkz and previously leased a 2013 Mkz.  I never had problems with 2013 and only problem with the 2015 was coolant hose had to be replaced. I love the look and interior of the MKZ. Never driven German luxury before but I have no interest switching.  My only complaint is car isn't big enough.  I think my next car will be Mkx. I got to drive one when my Z coolant hose was getting fixed and I loved it.  Also can't beat the price on Lincoln leases. I leased both of mine for $400 a month with only first months payment down. Sticker price was $45k for both.   

[Deleted User]

That is one complaint about the MKZ. It is actually a rather large car for a mid-size, but space untilization is not the best. Compare its back seat to the one in the Passat or Accord. The MKX is not bigger but it is taller.

akirby

The new MKX is great but it's not without it's share of problems. Stay away from the adaptive steering if possible.