Ford to freshen Lincoln, Mercury

[nadepalma]

Source: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...601260509/1014

Ford to freshen Lincoln, Mercury

January 26, 2006

BY JIM MATEJA

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Now that it has redone the Ford Division lineup, Ford Motor Co. has turned its attention to the Lincoln and Mercury lineups to help make the unit profitable in North America again.

Lincoln took center stage at the North American International Auto Show, while Ford officials said Mercury will get the spotlight later in the year, a hint that a crossover called Magellan may be more than just rumor.

Anne Stevens, chief operating officer of the Americas for Ford, unveiled two Lincolns in Detroit: a concept Mark S sedan and a production Mark X crossover, vehicles important to Lincoln's revitalization.

But Stevens made it clear that the goal is to restore Lincoln's popularity in North America, not to become a global player.

"We have no aspirations for Lincoln to compete on the world market. Lincoln's market is here in the U.S.," she said.

Mark S is the concept sedan that points to the return of Continental, gone since the 2000 model year.

The all-wheel-drive concept is derived from the same platform as the midsize Ford Five Hundred sedan. Mark S features a 315-horsepower V8 with a six-speed automatic, 20-inch radial tires and heated and cooled front seats.

The Mark X is Lincoln's version of the midsize Ford Edge crossover coming this fall.

Both are based on the midsize Ford Fusion platform. Mark X had been developed under the Aviator name.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

Lincoln took center stage at the North American International Auto Show, while Ford officials said Mercury will get the spotlight later in the year, a hint that a crossover called Magellan may be more than just rumor.

That's good to see that they're going to address Mercury and perhaps give them a distinct look, etc.

Originally Posted by nadepalma

Anne Stevens, chief operating officer of the Americas for Ford, unveiled two Lincolns in Detroit: a concept Mark S sedan and a production Mark X crossover, vehicles important to Lincoln's revitalization.

But Stevens made it clear that the goal is to restore Lincoln's popularity in North America, not to become a global player.

"We have no aspirations for Lincoln to compete on the world market. Lincoln's market is here in the U.S.," she said.

For the short term I can see this being okay...but I wonder how Lincoln can claim that they're selling a world-class luxury car and are equal to the likes of Benz and Caddy if they don't sell cars internationally? I think long-term this might be a mistake. Even if they were to sell Lincoln in China or some emerging markets as GM has done.

[Bravada]

Originally Posted by Chicago Tribune sounding like Ford Press Release

Now that it has redone the Ford Division lineup

...including the fabulous all-new Ford Focus, Freestar and the oh-so-warmly received 500 and Freestyle...

Ford Motor Co. has turned its attention to the Lincoln and Mercury

Sounds scary - Mercury seemed to be doing quite well, and Lincoln showed signs of hope. According to the article, it was probably due to FoMoCo's lack of attention

Ford officials said Mercury will get the spotlight later in the year, a hint that a crossover called Magellan may be more than just rumor.

Yup, Merc's new proprietary model, only accidentally bearing striking resemblance to Ford Freestyle and being spoken about by Ford since I don't know when.

"We have no aspirations for Lincoln to compete on the world market. Lincoln's market is here in the U.S.," she said.

"It is conveniently located in America's retirement communities." It would suffice to say "We have no aspirations." - the Lincoln-Mercury division's motto for the coming decade.

Mark S is the concept sedan that points to the return of Continental, gone since the 2000 model year.

...as well as FoMoCo's marketing confusion as to whether stick with heritage names or the new "MK" theme.

Sorry for the rant, but I really hate the direction Lincoln and Mercury are going now and that they won't be coming over here.

[TiburonJT]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

Now that it has redone the Ford Division lineup,

Ranger
Crown Victoria
Focus

Do I need to say anything else?

I hope Ford will stand firm on its decision to have more frequent updates of Ford-branded vehicles.

[paul8488]

It's riduclous that they even need to make statements like this. When's ther last time you heard Toyota or Honda report that they're going to pay attention to their lineups? It's embarassing that some of the largest car companies in the world need to make a conscious decision to update their models, and that it's not an inherent part of the business. Some days it's so clear why American automakers are in such trouble. I know the damage is done and that they ARE making an effort to improve things... but it's still frustrating to read silly stuff like this.

[MBHockey13]

Originally Posted by Bravada

...including the fabulous all-new Ford Focus, Freestar and the oh-so-warmly received 500 and Freestyle...



Sounds scary - Mercury seemed to be doing quite well, and Lincoln showed signs of hope. According to the article, it was probably due to FoMoCo's lack of attention



Yup, Merc's new proprietary model, only accidentally bearing striking resemblance to Ford Freestyle and being spoken about by Ford since I don't know when.



"It is conveniently located in America's retirement communities." It would suffice to say "We have no aspirations." - the Lincoln-Mercury division's motto for the coming decade.



...as well as FoMoCo's marketing confusion as to whether stick with heritage names or the new "MK" theme.

Sorry for the rant, but I really hate the direction Lincoln and Mercury are going now and that they won't be coming over here.

Great post.

[KingElvis]

The great Lincoln "Mark" series is turning into a glorified minivan. This is an outrage.

[Bravada]

Originally Posted by MBHockey13

Great post.

Well, thank you

[johnny smallblock]

I'm still waiting for them to explain what the heck they're going to do with Mercury. At least GM tells you that Pontiac is performance oriented, and Saturn offers Euro styling. Mercury is still a warmed up Ford/a cooled down Lincoln.

[paul3230]

What "freshened" Ford lineup are they talking about??? Did I miss something?? From what I remember, one or two cars doesn't count for a all new lineup

[spdwayGm]

Originally Posted by KingElvis

The great Lincoln "Mark" series is turning into a glorified minivan. This is an outrage.

Can a four-door Cougar be far behind?

[FoMoCo Fan]

Ford isn't the ones saying they've "refreshed the Ford lineup" and now are "ready to turn attention to Lincoln and Mercury" is the this "journalist" for the Chicago Tribune trying vainly to write a decent lead for her article.

Also re: Lincoln as world class vehicles. I don't think you have to copy BMW and Mercedes to be world class. And Cadillac is proving that no matter how hard you try to copy those two, you always will fall short (STS?).

[AdmiralViscen]

STS doesn't copy them. If anything, that's it's problem (interior). It's dynamically competitive, which is more than Lincoln can say.

[TaHoE]

Originally Posted by FoMoCo Fan

Ford isn't the ones saying they've "refreshed the Ford lineup" and now are "ready to turn attention to Lincoln and Mercury" is the this "journalist" for the Chicago Tribune trying vainly to write a decent lead for her article.

Also re: Lincoln as world class vehicles. I don't think you have to copy BMW and Mercedes to be world class. And Cadillac is proving that no matter how hard you try to copy those two, you always will fall short (STS?).

The STS was a stopgap model, as was the CTS. We will see the world-class models phasing in in 2007 and 2008.

[FoMoCo Fan]

Stopgap? That's the first time I've heard anyone say THAT about the STS.