sullynd

Is this on EUCD, C2, or something else entirely? I'd guess EUCD.

Ford is in the process of closing their third brand. They do not need a new one. Especially one with just three initials that only exists in North America. SVT should be FPV and be hi-po models of both Ford and Lincoln products globally.

Anyone know the domestic content of the 2011 Mustang? Should be higher than the 2010 with the new V6 (Ohio) and auto transmissions (Michigan?). The old ones were from France and Germany.

For clarity - it's only the manual which is from China, right? I believe the slushbox (Both V6 and GT) is domestic. (Livonia, right?)

Don't shoot me, but I prefer the name FPV to SVT and think it should be used for both Ford brands globally.

When you press that button, a stick figure dies. The hatch opening looks small, I'm hoping it's the lens of the camera.

The most successful of the type of naming Lincoln was hoping for is, in my opinion Mazda (Though for some reason it's inconsistent). It's a Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6 (RX, MX, CX not withstanding). I do agree re-changing names, you have to start with a worthy Continental, which is not the MCE of the MkS.

That was the original intent, but Ford quickly realized people were never going to go for it. Like someone said, they should have reconsidered at that point.

This is my concern the other way though - names can be just as tricky as the MkBranding. The Caddy boys always seem to be longing for Deville, Seville, etc. Those names suck. Continental seems logical, but I'm not sure what else.

With Mercury going away, and Lincoln on the verge of reinventing itself, again, is it time to rethink the MkBranding? I've been a supporter of the MkBranding to some extent, I don't think it's as confusing in it's current form as people make it out to be. However, as Lincoln expands it's lineup it will get to be more confusing if you ask me. Further, if there is to be a new direction going back to names may be the way to do it. A GWRD Continental may get people to take notice. What do you think? Time to go back to names?

I know it's OT, but every time I see this thread I read it as Tim Allen in the white house.

I thought Cyclone has the capability to go down to 2.7 and 3.0? Would seem to make sense to standardize on Cyclone at some point rather than continuing the old D30 line. Especially in regards to TI-VCT, DI, etc. 2.7 would make a good engine to pair with a hybrid system for larger Lincoln vehicles.

Yep.

It'a likely, in my opinion, that Fusion (EUCD2/CD4) and Escape (C2/Kuga) will be I4 only (W/Ecoboost) and that Taurus (EUCD2/CD4) and Edge (EUCD2/CD4) will be I4EB or V6. When will TI-VCT trickle through? MKX, Edge (3.5!), and Mustang are the only ones with it yet right? Will it make it's way to the EB models?

I think the better plan is to not sell cheap, stripped down, fiestas and focuses (focii?). I've seen no indication Ford plans on doing that.

People who own an ED and are able to drive it longer than four hours should consult with their doctor.

It's my hope that the MkT will be the standard for Lincoln in terms of differentiation from it's Ford counterpart. The MkZ, MkX, and Navigator all share way too much sheet metal with their Ford cousins and hopefully that will be addressed when the models are replaced (instead of their MCEs).

I don't know, I think the blonde is kinda cute.

Congrats! I've gotten over 115k mostly trouble free miles on our Escape, may yours bring you many more.

How does the Statesman sell? Is there a market down there for a Fairlane sized vehicle? Falcon is Taurus/MkS sized right?

The Lexus came first, then the Celsior. I don't believe it is sold anymore (Since Lexus is now sold in Japan), nor was it ever sold in the same market as the LS. The equivalent would be an all new Lincoln which could get sold as a Fairlane outside of Lincolns network.

Does Lincoln need a dedicated platform? No, not at all. But it does need an upper level vehicle. I wonder how many ES would be sold if there were no LS? How many C Class without the E and S? 3 Series without the 5 and 7?

Here's my ideal Ford Lineup: Lincoln: MkZ/R (RWD D2C [Four Door Mustang/Coupe/Vert]) MkS (CD4-L) MkC [Continental] (RWD E8) MkX (CD4) and MkX-L (CD4-L) MkT (D4/E8) Mercury: Milan (CD4) Messenger (C3) Mariner (C3) [Kuga] Meteor (C3) [C-Max] Ford: Fiesta (B2) Focus (C3) Mustang (D2C) Fusion (CD4) Taurus* (CD4-L) Thunderbird* (D2C [Four Door]) Escape (C3) Edge (CD4) Explorer (D4/E8) Expedition/XL (T1) C-Max (C3) Flex* (D4) *I think a CD4 Taurus overlaps a CD4 Fusion too much, and should be replaced by a Thunderbird (Or Galaxie). I'm not sure Flex lives past it's next MCE. F100 F150 Superduty

I hope this doesn't mean the end for my local Lincoln Mercury dealer. I've been getting my Fords serviced there for years. About a year ago they picked up Subaru as well, but surprisingly they got rid of it about a month ago. The local Ford store is ok, but the LM is closer, and the staff nicer. I could go to the store we got the Flex from, I was very happy with them, but they're even further away.

As I said in the other thread, our Flex has the all-weather floor mats. I'm not sure if they came from the factory that way, or if they were a dealer-installed option (They were listed on the window sticker under "Optional Equipment") but they were sitting on top of the carpeted mats. I did not notice for a week (at which point I fixed it) but I could see how someone might think that's how they're supposed to be, as "that's how they came".