1984Poke Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 (edited) I have a question for those who are far better plugged-in to the auto industry than I am. Here is the scenario on which I'd appreciate input: In the 2018 Lincoln MKZ build-and-price capability on Lincoln's web site, the LED headlights and the 20 speaker Revel sound system were packaged together, as I recall, but that package did not include the panoramic sliding glass roof, which was a stand-alone item on the 2018 'Z. However, on the 2019 MKZ build-and-price (for the Reserve II, the only trim line I've really looked at), the 20 speaker Revel system and the LED headlights are packaged with (and ONLY with) the panoramic roof. You cannot get the 20-Revel and LED headlights on a '19 'Z without also getting the panoramic sliding glass roof. My question for those who know the car industry well: Do you think it’s possible that Lincoln has a surfeit of panoramic sliding roofs lying around (already made) that were slow sellers, and Lincoln decided the only way to move them out the door was to require their inclusion in a package with other desirable features as way to get rid of them?Several days ago, I did a search of MKZs in the inventories at dealerships in Oklahoma (Tulsa, OKC) and in the Dallas area, and I found three dozen (maybe more) unsold 2018 MKZs, a surprisingly large percentage of which had the Panoramic Vista sliding glass roof, which leads me to suspect that feature is a show-stopper for many potential buyers.Would Lincoln be likely to have a bunch of those sliding roof assemblies already on-hand, thus creating an incentive for finding a way to get rid of them? Or would major sub-assemblies like that be manufactured only in response to actual demand? Thanks in advance for input. Edited October 27, 2018 by 1984Poke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 (edited) I have a question for those who are far better plugged-in to the auto industry than I am. Here is the scenario on which I'd appreciate input: In the 2018 Lincoln MKZ build-and-price capability on Lincoln's web site, the LED headlights and the 20 speaker Revel sound system were packaged together, as I recall, but that package did not include the panoramic sliding glass roof, which was a stand-alone item on the 2018 'Z. However, on the 2019 MKZ build-and-price (for the Reserve II, the only trim line I've really looked at), the 20 speaker Revel system and the LED headlights are packaged with (and ONLY with) the panoramic roof. You cannot get the 20-Revel and LED headlights on a '19 'Z without also getting the panoramic sliding glass roof. My question for those who know the car industry well: Do you think it’s possible that Lincoln has a surfeit of panoramic sliding roofs laying around (already made) that were slow sellers, and Lincoln decided the only way to move them out the door was to require their inclusion in a package with other desirable features as way to get rid of them? Several days ago, I did a search of MKZs in the inventories at dealerships in Oklahoma (Tulsa, OKC) and in the Dallas area, and I found three dozen (maybe more) unsold 2018 MKZs, a surprisingly large percentage of which had the Panoramic Vista sliding glass roof, which leads me to suspect that feature is a show-stopper for many potential buyers. Would Lincoln be likely to have a bunch of those sliding roof assemblies already on-hand, thus creating an incentive for finding a way to get rid of them? Or would major sub-assemblies like that be manufactured only in response to actual demand? Thanks in advance for input. Hi 1984. No, they did not package the moonroofs with other options because they have extras sitting around that they need to get rid of. That actually is not how modern auto production works. Manufacturers do not stock large amounts of parts inventory sitting around for future production purposes. They will keep a certain amount of parts around for Warranty and retail repair/replacement, but that is another story. Essentially, you were closer to the production reality when you stated, "Or would major sub-assemblies like that be manufactured only in response to actual demand?". The current MKZ (and Fusion) are scheduled to stop production within the next couple of years. It was simply a marketing decision to package those options together for 2019. In fact, it is a return to how the options packages used to be sold until more recent years. For some years, packaging a moonroof together with other premium options was normal on the MKZ. In fact, it was that way when I ordered my 2007. You couldn't order the top line sound system (and possibly another option or two I can not recall) without a moonroof, which forced me to live without the top sound system and another option or two (I don't want moonroofs either). We were actually lucky for a few years through the 2018 model year with the MKZ when Lincoln/Ford decided to make the two moonroofs stand alone options. Luckily it was that way when I ordered my 2018. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, Lincoln/Ford have gone back to packaging some premium options with the moonroofs again. Personally, I think it was a bad decision. However, I also think dropping the MKZ and Fusion was a bad decision. But Lincoln/Ford did not check with me first. Hope this information helps. Edited October 24, 2018 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 I will continue to say this until I die A moonroof should always always ALWAYS be a stand-alone option. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1984Poke Posted October 24, 2018 Author Share Posted October 24, 2018 Thank you, bbf, and I agree with you, fuzzy. I somewhat reluctantly accepted the moonroof on the Reserve II MKZ that I just ordered but the panoramic sliding roof is a different matter for me. If it were packaged with the Z, that would have been a show-stopper for me. I appreciate this insight from people who are better plugged-in to the auto industry than I am. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurgeh Posted October 25, 2018 Share Posted October 25, 2018 I've run into a similar issue in my order for a Black Label Nautilus. Based on past experience with Washington DC potholes at night I don't like low profile tires. But if you want the upgraded audio (or want the Black Label trim) you are forced into 21" wheels. Last year with the MKX one was able to choose to "downgrade" your wheels (though you wouldn't get a discount for doing do) on a factory order. Not this year. Luckily with wheels you can always do an afternarket swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKZMark Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 I'm sure the dealer would do something to swap wheels if the deal was dependent on it. Personally I like the extra light a glass roof brings, and they seem to be more common these days. My wife's MKX has it and it's a great experience for the rear passengers, and if the sun gets too bright a push of a button fixes that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 I'm sure the dealer would do something to swap wheels if the deal was dependent on it. Personally I like the extra light a glass roof brings, and they seem to be more common these days. My wife's MKX has it and it's a great experience for the rear passengers, and if the sun gets too bright a push of a button fixes that. Ditto. We open the roof a few times a year but we enjoy the view 365 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice-capades Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 My first car was a 1967 Ford Fairlane Convertible and any time I get to drive a convertible the top goes down at every opportunity. However, I've never understood the fascination people have with moonroofs. Even so, I order a lot of moonroofs on vehicles I order for dealership stock inventory because it's what many customers want and expect. Even so, when I'm driving a vehicle with a moonroof, the shade is closed 99% of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted October 26, 2018 Share Posted October 26, 2018 (edited) You are the opposite of me. When I had my Explorer, I NEVER closed the shade. I almost always had it open to vent too, especially in winter. It seemed to help air circulation without opening the back windows (which was a chore). Man I miss it so much. Still mad the Ranger doesn't get one. Edited October 26, 2018 by fuzzymoomoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boredinbirmingham Posted October 29, 2018 Share Posted October 29, 2018 My first car was a 1967 Ford Fairlane Convertible and any time I get to drive a convertible the top goes down at every opportunity. However, I've never understood the fascination people have with moonroofs. Even so, I order a lot of moonroofs on vehicles I order for dealership stock inventory because it's what many customers want and expect. Even so, when I'm driving a vehicle with a moonroof, the shade is closed 99% of the time. I always kept my moonroof shade closed as well on the cars Ive owned until I got the 18 Navigator, I actually like that is obnoxiously large, it makes the cabin feel larger and my kids like looking out. In my previous vehicles it was pretty much for the front occupants and rather small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurgeh Posted October 29, 2018 Share Posted October 29, 2018 I always kept my moonroof shade closed as well on the cars Ive owned until I got the 18 Navigator, I actually like that is obnoxiously large, it makes the cabin feel larger and my kids like looking out. In my previous vehicles it was pretty much for the front occupants and rather small. I've had sunroofs on all my vehicles for the last 20 years. They really brighten up and open up the interior and I like to open them when the weather permits (though my wife doesn't like it so much -- hair thing I guess). It is part for the ventilation, part for the feeling of connectedness with the outdoors (hard to explain). The sunroof that most annoyed me was the one I had on my VW CC, as it was a solid pane of glass and wouldn't open. I vowed never to go that route again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted October 29, 2018 Share Posted October 29, 2018 There is a shade for the moonroof?! I never used it in my cars that had it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 29, 2018 Share Posted October 29, 2018 (edited) There is always a shade. Edited October 29, 2018 by akirby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 You are the opposite of me. When I had my Explorer, I NEVER closed the shade. I almost always had it open to vent too, especially in winter. It seemed to help air circulation without opening the back windows (which was a chore). Man I miss it so much. Still mad the Ranger doesn't get one. Ranger doesn't have a sunroof? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Ranger doesn't have a sunroof? Nope. No sunroof, no heated steering wheel, no power seat height adjustment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 Nope. No sunroof, no heated steering wheel, no power seat height adjustment. Crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1984Poke Posted October 30, 2018 Author Share Posted October 30, 2018 Are you referring only to the old Ranger? Or are you saying the new (revived) Ranger also will not have those features (moonroof, heated steering wheel, etc.)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 30, 2018 Share Posted October 30, 2018 New Ranger does not have those features for 2019. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Boss Cross Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 2013 through 2018 Hybrid gauge functions removed from gauge cluster on the 2019 mkz hybrid. Just a basic regen icon.? Hybrid owners need their tools! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie Boss Cross Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 Now you have no idea what the state of charge is in the high voltage battery. Not that the missing gauge was accurate but at least you had something ..after all it's a hybrid!!?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exploder48 Posted December 23, 2019 Share Posted December 23, 2019 (edited) FYI in the 2020 MKZ the Panoramic roof is a stand alone option. The standard 200A includes the regular moonroof, but the option exists to change to the Pano roof. The upgrade requires the Elements Package (63D) however. Edited December 23, 2019 by exploder48 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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