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Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ

3018 messages,  Last post on Feb 22, 2013 at 11:54 AM

You are in the Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, Sedan

Messages Page 275 of 302

#2740 of 3018 Re: Hybrid [akirby] by gregg_vw

Dec 09, 2008 (3:23 pm)

Replying to: akirby (Dec 09, 2008 9:42 am)
It's too bad Ford doesn't have the resources right now to make an MKZ hybrid, by either adding some hp to the Fusion 4 cylinder setup or hybridizing the 3 liter. The only way Lincoln is really going to come back is by providing vehicles that really stand out from the crowd some way. The MKS and MKZ are decent efforts, but so are most of the competitive models out there. For example, the CTS really stands out for Cadillac (in a way the more conservative STS does not), and/or the BMW 3 series does so much so well that it stays on the top of most recommended lists. The next MKZ (after the 2010 re-do) ought to stand out the way the Euro Fords do when compared to the competition (Fiesta and Ka and Focus and Kuga and Mondeo). Caution gets you competent cars like the Taurus/Sable (and MKZ) that do not sell.
 
On a side note, why is the Impala, one of the top ten sellers now, selling so many times the number of cars as Taurus? The Impala is plain looking, nondescript, though it does offer three engine choices. Some of the difference has to be marketing. Or maybe the Taurus is even way more dowdy than most of us already think!
 
I could see myself in a Milan ( a fancified Ford), but not an MKZ. The MKZ needs more attributes from the MKR concept and much less of the shape of the Fusion. Then it will stand out...and sell.

#2741 of 3018 Re: Hybrid [gregg_vw] by akirby

Dec 09, 2008 (4:39 pm)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Dec 09, 2008 3:23 pm)
I think a lot of Malibu sales are still fleet. This article says for the 1st quarter of this year Fusion sold 40K retail units and Malibu only 37K. Given the last few months it wouldn't surprise me if Malibu's retail sales were way down and fleet sales back up. Ford appears to have gotten off that wagon and is content to cut back production to meet demand. Finally.....
 
http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/04/chevrolet-malibu-ford-fusion-pontiac-g6-gain- -traction-in-crucial-c-segment.html

#2742 of 3018 Re: Hybrid [akirby] by gregg_vw

Dec 09, 2008 (6:22 pm)

Replying to: akirby (Dec 09, 2008 4:39 pm)
I was speaking of the Impala which compares to the Taurus. Regardless of how the sales are gotten, the Impala trounces not just the Taurus, but almost every other car out there, save a few Honda and Toyota models.

#2743 of 3018 Re: Hybrid [akirby] by gregg_vw

Dec 09, 2008 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: akirby (Dec 09, 2008 4:39 pm)
But speaking of Malibu, you may have missed the article's point. The previous Malibu was barely an also-ran in this market. The new Malibu has built momentum very quickly, far faster than the Fusion which had years of a head start. Both are doing well, but "only 37K" is nearly neck and neck with Fusion, even with Chevrolet using less incentives and less fleet sales with this iteration than with the last Malibu. I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I'm historically a Ford man, but the new Malibu, a real looker, has come from way behind and is now a contender in the mid-size field, being compared favorably with Camry and Accord for the first time.

#2744 of 3018 Re: Hybrid [gregg_vw] by akirby

Dec 10, 2008 (7:00 am)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Dec 09, 2008 6:31 pm)
Sorry, I got Malibu and Impala confused and I was only referring to the total retail sales number compared to the Fusion.
 
I know that the new Malibu is way better and GM is cutting fleet sales and incentives but I still don't think they've gone as far as Ford has nor as quickly. I do agree they're moving in the right direction and the Malibu is a good car - head and shoulders above what they have previously. But I still think they're 2-3 years behind Ford at this point.

#2745 of 3018 Re: Hybrid [gregg_vw] by brucelinc

Dec 10, 2008 (7:54 am)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Dec 09, 2008 3:23 pm)
On a side note, why is the Impala, one of the top ten sellers now, selling so many times the number of cars as Taurus?
 
That is a real puzzler. If one can get past the dowdiness of the Taurus, they will find it is one heckuva good sedan. I get Impala rentals frequently and can't understand how they sell in such volumes. The Taurus is superior in about every way imaginable.
 
I think it is primarily marketing. The Taurus is not advertised and our local dealers don't even have the usual Sunday ads for the Taurus anymore. When the 2010 eye-watering version arrives, I am betting they have a major campaign for it. Ford's standing is the strongest of the Detroit 3 now so the time is right to take as much advantage of it as possible.

#2746 of 3018 Re: Hybrid [brucelinc] by akirby

Dec 10, 2008 (8:29 am)

Replying to: brucelinc (Dec 10, 2008 7:54 am)
I think it's a combination of fleet sales and loyal GM buyers plus the less than exciting Taurus exterior which should be fixed next year.

#2747 of 3018 Milian Hybrid by bigt

Dec 10, 2008 (8:43 am)

How do we get a Forum started on this vehicle? I know so little about hybrids except I want one for the MPG and carbon footprint. For example, all of this talk about running the Milan up to 47 mph on electric only sounds good but what happens when you turn on the air or heat?
 
Also I noticed in a picture it had a plug. I assume you are recharging something but since I live in a condo complex there is no way for me to plug in. I would have to stay in good standing with my girlfriend to go over there to recharge! Hmm, maybe two birds with one stone!

#2748 of 3018 Re: Milian Hybrid [bigt] by akirby

Dec 10, 2008 (10:05 am)

Replying to: bigt (Dec 10, 2008 8:43 am)
There is no plug - that would be a plug-in hybrid and those won't exist in the mass market for a few more years. It operates just like a regular vehicle, nothing special that you have to do.
 
Be aware that if you're buying a hybrid to save money it normally takes at least 5 years and sometimes as much as 10-12 years of fuel savings to make up for the added cost of the hybrid version. If you just want a hybrid and don't mind paying a little extra up front that's fine, but be aware.
 
Heat is probably ok since there would be residual heat in the engine unless it's been off for a long time. And I think they switched to electric A/C so that may work also without the ICE - at least while the battery holds out. Early models required the engine to run for A/C which is one reason the early hybrids did so well on the EPA tests. Prior to 2008 the EPA did not use A/C on the fuel economy tests.
 
I believe anyone can start a topic. I would suggest a 2010 Fusion/Milan Hybrid topic. The 2009 Escape uses basically the same system with minor differences so you could probably get a lot of answers in those forums.

#2749 of 3018 Re: Milian Hybrid [akirby] by KarenS HOST

Dec 10, 2008 (10:34 am)

Replying to: akirby (Dec 10, 2008 10:05 am)
Per your request, I created a discussion over on the Hybrid Cars board.
 
2010 Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan Hybrid

Messages Page 275 of 302

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