Ford looking to make Lincoln more upscale (luxury car, vehicles, 2011)

[sailordave]

Report: Lincoln Dealers Reluctant to Remodel Stores Without New Product - Wide Open Throttle - Motor Trend Magazine

[LEFT]All Lincoln vehicles will come with a complimentary maintenance plan for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Starting in 2011, customers will be presented with a host of privileges, including Lincoln loaners for warranty work, upgraded roadside assistance, a Lincoln-specific customer service team, and a free wash and detail with every service.


Read more: Report: Lincoln Dealers Reluctant to Remodel Stores Without New Product - Wide Open Throttle - Motor Trend Magazine[/LEFT]

[Alley01]

I hope that they accomplish it. I was very impressed to see that they were offering that hybrid and regular versions of the MKZ for the same price. You don't see any other luxury carmakers offering that. Not to mention that their hybrid actually gets decent MPG whereas the other luxury hybrids don't get really commendable MPG.

2011 Lincoln MKZ: Hybrid Same Price As Gas At $35,180 - MotorAuthority

[Narfcake]

At least there's a direction for Lincoln now ... but I can see the dealers being reluctant. The current lineup, while fine, doesn't stand out above and beyond the competition either ... and the sales numbers reflect that. Without foreseeing what the future will bring in terms of products, would you shell out the bucks to upgrade a showroom?

[smokingGun]

I think they need value plays like Hyundai's Genesis or Equus (but with better styling along the lines of Jaguar's XF and XJ) at just as low price point to be truly competitive. Right now all their vehicles are also-rans, barely on the radar of luxury car buyers.

[Tek_Freek]

First step: Dump that ugly snout.

[Lux Hauler]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

First step: Dump that ugly snout.

I agree... I have no idea how those designs made it to production. I do like the Navigators though, a lot.

[Vinsanity]

any plan to revitalize Lincoln has to include a newly developed premium RWD passenger-car platform. No more spruced-up FWD Fords.

[OC Investor2]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

First step: Dump that ugly snout.

Abso-frickin-lutely!!!! This is a brand I would like to like, but the cars are all fugly. Send them all in for an automotive rhino-plasty then we can talk about getting one in my garage.

[le roi]

Originally Posted by Vinsanity

any plan to revitalize Lincoln has to include a newly developed premium RWD passenger-car platform. No more spruced-up FWD Fords.

well, they had that with the DEW98 platform. it was too expensive and so they canned it. i'm not sure what Ford's major malfunction is, that renders them unable to compete on quality and price in so many different segments of the market.


i have a 2003 Lincoln LS, and a friend of mine recently had a 2001 Honda Accord. Even with his extra 50,000 miles and 2 more years of age, the materials and quality of the interior of his Honda look and feel newer and higher-quality than my Lincoln. Mine is a rattling plastic mess... power windows failing, buttons falling off, dashboard rattling, steering wheel squeaking, roof liner coming off. Everything in his Honda fit tightly and worked perfectly, even with age.

So I like mine for what it is --- comfortable and really fun to drive. But you can't compete in a "luxury" market if your interiors are worse than a Honda.

[asubram3]

Well, if they continue to sell FWD cars alone, the best they can do is to capture some sales from Buick and the similarly ugly Acura .