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Where Is Ford taking the Lincoln Motor Company?

4178 messages,  Last post on May 27, 2013 at 8:05 PM

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What is this discussion about? Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKX

    

Messages Page 97 of 418

#959 of 4178 Re: Questions for the board... [m1miata] by akirby

Nov 10, 2006 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: m1miata (Nov 10, 2006 1:18 pm)
Euro Focus is coming but not until 2010. They're bringing in a Mazda based B car to slot under the Focus aimed at the Fit, etc. Ford realizes that it can't compete with the Koreans and (soon) Chinese on price. Expect more features and functionality for a slighly higher (justified hopefully) price at lower volumes and higher profit levels.
 
A lot of the Lincoln/Mercury lineup is driven by the need to keep L/M only dealers in business. Don't see that changing.
 
Ford will invest in Lincoln eventually - it just wasn't the priority in the past. Think about it - Ford had to develop a brand new mustang and significantly modified F150 followed by a brand new 500/montego/freestyle followed by a brand new Fusion/Milan/Zephyr followed by the Edge/MKX. Now that the car and CUV markets are covered with new products they can focus (no pun intended) on Lincoln and possibly Mercury.
 
The problem with Lincoln is there are no suitable RWD sedan platforms readily available as was the case with the CD3 and D3 platforms. I'm sure they're working on it and I think they'll have a smaller Lincoln based on the new Mustang platform. These things take time.

#960 of 4178 Re: Questions for the board... [akirby] by gregg_vw

Nov 10, 2006 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: akirby (Nov 10, 2006 1:45 pm)
Especially with Ford. The layers of authority and bureaucracy that demand to sign off on any new plans are allegedly being paired down though. We'll see. It would be great if Ford could at least speed up to Chrysler's pace of bringing concepts to market.

#961 of 4178 Re: Questions for the board... [gregg_vw] by akirby

Nov 10, 2006 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: gregg_vw (Nov 10, 2006 2:25 pm)
We know the beancounters are no longer making product decisions - that's a start. Mulally and Fields both sound like very impatient managers, so I'd say there's a very good chance that they'll get things streamlined. Only question is how long it will take.

#962 of 4178 Re: Questions for the board... [akirby] by heyjewel

Nov 10, 2006 (5:09 pm)

Replying to: akirby (Nov 10, 2006 2:48 pm)
"We know the beancounters are no longer making product decisions "
 
Seriously, the review I just saw of the Edge or emmkayexx complained that the thing had no assist handles and that it was a pretty obvious cost cutting measure. Not to mention that the interior materials are below par compared with everyhting else. Not to mention D-L shifter, ... I don't know why we cant strike a reasoned position here, but your quote above makes no sense to me.

#963 of 4178 Re: Questions for the board... [m1miata] by bumpy

Nov 10, 2006 (5:34 pm)

Replying to: m1miata (Nov 10, 2006 1:18 pm)
Remember the days when the lower priced Fords had style, like a Falcon or Fairlane 500? Even sporty with a V8. And yes, not a road track racer due to typical handling of that era, but fast enough in a straight line. In today's market, I would like to see one with an inline 6 around 210HP and another one with around 255HP or so as an inline or V6. Possibly make a V8 as a special car SVT, in a couple models.
 
Have you driven an Australian  Ford lately? Unfortunately, no one in a position of authority at Ford Motor Co. knows how to make a left-hand-drive version of these cars.

#964 of 4178 Re: Questions for the board... [heyjewel] by akirby

Nov 10, 2006 (5:49 pm)

Replying to: heyjewel (Nov 10, 2006 5:09 pm)
C'mon George - Fields has been there less than a year and Mulally only a few weeks. You can't possibly think they could have made any serious changes to the Edge/MKX - it was "in the can" way before they took over, especially Mulally. I'm talking about products that they have a chance to influence.
 
I know you're not exactly optimistic but at least give them a chance to deliver on what they're saying.
 
I do agree with you on the cost cutting not being wise, but I give them a little credit for making things like the Vista Roof and Navigation available on the Edge. Even that wouldn't have happened a few years ago.

#965 of 4178 Re: Questions for the board... [bumpy] by m1miata

Nov 10, 2006 (9:39 pm)

Replying to: bumpy (Nov 10, 2006 5:34 pm)
No, but I did at one time view the V8 racing in Australia on TV. Amazing how we are stuck with FWD cheapo cars, with NASCAR autos having nothing at all to do with what we drive on the streets.

#966 of 4178 Re: Questions for the board... [jae5] by nvbanker

Nov 11, 2006 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: jae5 (Nov 10, 2006 12:02 pm)
Do any of you think Ford will take the money, or some of it, and shore up Lincoln's line?
 
IF they sell all of the PAG or maybe all but Volvo, I think they'll have to fix Lincoln, or get out of the luxury car business altogether. Lots of IFs......

#967 of 4178 Re: Questions for the board... [nvbanker] by ehaase

Nov 11, 2006 (3:56 pm)

Replying to: nvbanker (Nov 11, 2006 1:26 pm)
I think they'll have to fix Lincoln, or get out of the luxury car business altogether.
 
I could see Ford get out of the car business altogether in North America and become primarily a truck manufacturer. The only Ford car anyone is passionate about is the Mustang. Does anyone really care about the Mazda and Volvo based sedans that have debuted the past few years? Besides Rockylee, who cares about the MKS?

#968 of 4178 Re: Questions for the board... [ehaase] by displacedtexan

Nov 11, 2006 (4:29 pm)

Replying to: ehaase (Nov 11, 2006 3:56 pm)
Does anyone really care about the Mazda and Volvo based sedans that have debuted the past few years?
 
Since you asked, I care. I happen to like the conservative but practical Five Hundred and Montego. I think the Fusion and Milan look good. I hope Lincoln does the MKS right.
 
I care because I don't want to see Ford and Lincoln out of the car business.

Messages Page 97 of 418

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