Lincoln Studying What New Models to Bring Out Next

[mackinaw]

From Reuters via Automotive News:

 

 

DETROIT (Reuters) -- Ford Motor Co. may develop new models for Lincoln in fast-growing vehicle segments as part of the automaker's latest attempt to revive the struggling luxury brand and boost its profits.

The company did not specify which vehicle segments it was targeting. But in a presentation to investors on Thursday, Ford showed in a chart that it expects the premium small-car and crossover segments to grow sharply by 2015.

Lincoln does not currently offer a small car, but a person familiar with the brand's strategy previously told Reuters that the Lincoln brand is considering a near-luxury compact sedan for 2016 or later."

"There are vehicle markets "that we're not playing in today that we can enter that are high-volume segments and growing fast," Matt VanDyke, who is in charge of Lincoln's development and day-to-day operations, said at an investor conference.

 

If approved, the small sedan likely would be sold in the United States and China, the world's largest auto market. It would compete against cars like General Motors' Cadillac ATS and the Mercedes CLA."

 

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20130613/OEM04/130619919#ixzz2W8JYgXRp

 

 

[mike_in_va]

So build your luxury brand by going downmarket. That should work.

[Edstock]

So build your luxury brand by going downmarket. That should work.

 

The kind of customer that Lincoln is after is one who understands that smaller is not "downmarket", but just smaller. Those that do not understand this probably do not have the money to buy a new luxury car of any size.

[atomcat68]

This may also be a possible Mustang platformed Lincoln instead of a Focus based one which seems to be assumed. I would like a 4 door coupe version to be a possibility.

[silvrsvt]

If approved, the small sedan likely would be sold in the United States and China, the world's largest auto market. It would compete against cars like General Motors' Cadillac ATS and the Mercedes CLA."

 

 

The issue is this...the CLA is a couple inches bigger than the current Focus and so is the ATS...so instead of going with a Focus platform, how about shrinking down the Fusion platform a couple inches?

 

Or go the Mustang Sedan route, but IMO still doesn't have that great of a business case, esp if its smaller then a Fusion...

Edited June 14, 2013 by silvrsvt

[ANTAUS]

Lincoln going downmarket is fine but as it is, Ford already has fine vehicle going upmarket. Their biggest challenge will be selling "luxury" to "luxury seeking customers".

[Hugh]

The issue is this...the CLA is a couple inches bigger than the current Focus and so is the ATS...so instead of going with a Focus platform, how about shrinking down the Fusion platform a couple inches?

 

Or go the Mustang Sedan route, but IMO still doesn't have that great of a business case, esp if its smaller then a Fusion...

If you look at the dimensions of the EU makes, you notice 3-series and C-class are closer to Focus then Fusion. Taurus is I believe slightly larger than A6 but not as large as A8 and 7-series. Taking into consideration when folks see compacts, they think 80's-90's Civics and Corollas. Now, we know that size is found in the B-Segment but the impression remains. I think Lincoln can get into this C-Segment with more then just the MKC.

[Dustyw85]

You can listen to Matt VanDyke speak in Ford's Investor Relations website. Also a short Powerpoint presentation and some questions.

 

http://corporate.ford.com/our-company/investors/upcoming-investor-events/webcastevent-detail/fmcwebcast-20130613

Edited June 14, 2013 by Dustyw85

[jpd80]

The issue is this...the CLA is a couple inches bigger than the current Focus and so is the ATS...so instead of going with a Focus platform, how about shrinking down the Fusion platform a couple inches?

 

Or go the Mustang Sedan route, but IMO still doesn't have that great of a business case, esp if its smaller then a Fusion...

Notice the recent "Escort" concept had a longer wheelbase for increased rear leg room,

IMO, that would be an excellent starting point for Compact Lincoln sedan for USA and China..

Edited June 14, 2013 by jpd80

[Biker16]

I think a compact linclon sedan and White-space Vehicle should have been in the works all along. It is easier to build a brand in around the edges than in the meat of the market.

 

But we have had this discusion before.

 

The idiocy of a compact Lincoln - Blue Oval Forums

 

The Irony of this business is that the lead times for new products are so long if you don't have A long term vision for your brand you will waste time and money reacting to the market, instead of leading it.

 

that thread was started in June of 2010, It is interesting to see how many predictions turned out to be Wrong, including my own.

 

[ANTAUS]

So if they are looking to see what new models to bring out next, and vehicle development takes what, about 2 years, is it safe to say that if they are just NOW thinking about it, it'll be 3 years before we see something materialize from this ?

[jpd80]

But if you took a Focus sedan and made the wheelbase around 3" longer or around 107",

Lincoln would end up with more or less a small mid sized vehicle, rather than a true compact.

Maybe that's the difference here with suggesting a near compact size Lincoln.

 

Such a vehicle with 2.0 Ecoboost could be offered for say $33,000 or around ATS starting price

and offer way more in terms of value and space even if it falls short on handling dynamics...

[silvrsvt]

Such a vehicle with 2.0 Ecoboost could be offered for say $33,000 or around ATS starting price

and offer way more in terms of value and space even if it falls short on handling dynamics...

 

I think shrinking a Fusion might be a better route, just because I don't think a V6 would fit into the Focus front end. All depends on how big the "nano" V6s are going to be.

 

I'd offer the 2.3L Ecoboost and a Nano V6 as the Engine options in a small Lincoln

[dante hicks]

The kind of customer that Lincoln is after is one who understands that smaller is not "downmarket", but just smaller. Those that do not understand this probably do not have the money to buy a new luxury car of any size.

"near-luxury" is down market from luxury. Those who don't understand this probably didn't read the original post.

[timmm55]

If they plan on rolling it out in 2016 they already have a product in the can. They are just studying which vehicle is next after the MKC. There may be one or two others coming out too.

[Deanh]

"near-luxury" is down market from luxury. Those who don't understand this probably didn't read the original post.

interesting, but what actually constitutes "luxury"??????

[bzcat]

If they plan on rolling it out in 2016 they already have a product in the can. They are just studying which vehicle is next after the MKC. There may be one or two others coming out too.

 

True... and we are talking about next gen Focus platform, not the current one so they could have baked in longer wheelbase or support for bigger engines. The Germans are set to unleash 3 compact sedans on the US and China soon (CLA, A3, 2series grand coupe) so it makes sense for Ford to pay attention. The segment is definitely going to grow.

[jpd80]

I think shrinking a Fusion might be a better route, just because I don't think a V6 would fit into the Focus front end. All depends on how big the "nano" V6s are going to be.

 

I'd offer the 2.3L Ecoboost and a Nano V6 as the Engine options in a small Lincoln

It is easier to expand a smaller car than trying to compress a larger one.

especially if Ford already has done the bones of the engineering work...

 

Lincoln is demonstrating that a V6 option is not absolutely essential to win volume sales

and if anything support for Ecoboost I-4 and hybrids is strengthening with every new model.

Edited June 14, 2013 by jpd80

[jpd80]

"near-luxury" is down market from luxury. Those who don't understand this probably didn't read the original post.

Ford never used that term in relation to any Lincoln product discussed, what was mentioned was Focus Titanium

being sufficient to cover that area of the market...things have obviously changed, especially with China and Lincoln..

 

In any case, i think we're all on the same page that Ford has suitable vehicles to draw upon to make

compact Lincolns in sedan, SUV and Coupe if and when required at a fraction of the cost that GM

has expended on its current Cadillac vehicles, Chasing after BMW really is fool's gold.

Edited June 14, 2013 by jpd80

[rmc523]

So if they are looking to see what new models to bring out next, and vehicle development takes what, about 2 years, is it safe to say that if they are just NOW thinking about it, it'll be 3 years before we see something materialize from this ?

 

Well, it did mention the small crossover market was one of the ones they're looking at, and we already know that the MKC is on the way, so I'd say chances are they've been working on a car/sedan counterpart as well.

Edited June 14, 2013 by rmc523

[mettech]

_{Janet Seymour , the Colors & Materials Design Manager and Susan Lampinen serves as Group Chief Designer of Color & Material Design for both Ford and Lincoln. was on Autoline Afterhours this Thur.}

 

_{According to them, Lincoln will be bring out a high price "Halo" car" in a few years.}

 

_{They also said in a round about way, that Lincoln will be going "up scale" on the releases after the MKC.}

 

 

_{I really do believe that Lincoln will be a "whit space" player in the high end luxury market within 3 years. They are working with a lot of different materials inside and out.}

Edited June 15, 2013 by mettech

[Hugh]

You know, I drove past a 97 Town Car (the last of the block style). Just for fun, I'd like to see a modern interior with real wood and aluminum trim. How about a 5.0L, 6A with control arms up front and multi-link rear? Lose the front bench and have a center console. HID and LED lightning. Maybe a project car only.

Edited June 15, 2013 by Hugh

[TBirdStangSkyliner]

Lincoln going downmarket is fine but as it is, Ford already has fine vehicle going upmarket. Their biggest challenge will be selling "luxury" to "luxury seeking customers".

With this kind of lunacy Lincoln might pass Ford on the way down. With such non-luxury and non-desirable products as the MKC, Lincoln could just as well do a Fiesta.

 

The scoop of the day is that Ford is getting a Lincoln version of the Smart ForTwo back in trade from Benz for the 1.0 EB. Wolfe is already busy trying to blend the elements of the flame surfacing of the MKC and retro-Conitental kits into a new top hat for what will be sold as the MKmart.

Edited June 15, 2013 by TBirdStangSkyliner

[rmc523]

_{Janet Seymour , the Colors & Materials Design Manager and Susan Lampinen serves as Group Chief Designer of Color & Material Design for both Ford and Lincoln. was on Autoline Afterhours this Thur.}

 

_{According to them, Lincoln will be bring out a high price "Halo" car" in a few years.}

 

_{They also said in a round about way, that Lincoln will be going "up scale" on the releases after the MKC.}

 

 

_{I really do believe that Lincoln will be a "whit space" player in the high end luxury market within 3 years. They are working with a lot of different materials inside and out.}

 

Well, I was going to say that that type of wording ("up scale") would make sense, given the coming vehicles will be the MKX, MKS, and MKAviator, or in other words, more expensive vehicles, allowing for more "up scale" features. Though I will say that from what you're saying, it sounds like they're discussing products beyond what we do know about.

[mettech]

Agree..

 

I have a "feeling" that Ford is going to push Lincoln to the upper limits.

 

How the 1961 Lincoln was viewed and marketed is the direction and path Lincoln will take again.

 

I would not be surprised to see a Supercar ($150K+) from Lincoln in a few years.

 

The MKZ is just a "temporary blood loss" car that will keep the brand going until Lincoln Motor Company can produce it's own products.

 

Lincoln in F1? Why not?

 

The above is IMHO.