Ford Motor Company to Increase Lincoln Production in the U.S. Beginning in 2030

[Zestyg]

3 hours ago, ExplorerDude said:

Remember the announcement only stated increasing Lincoln production not that they are specifically moving Nautilus and Corsair production here.

 

The next gen Corsair I believe is the Lincoln CUV to be built at LAP on the UEV platform.

 

Also the Lincoln “Bronco” will be coming out of MAP.

 

The next gen Nautilus might move to UEV as well but not confirmed still very fluid. If it doesn’t it could come from anywhere.

This makes a lot more sense. Outside of what you laid out here I would say it sounds like a load of BS no Bronco Sport. The only tricky part with the Nautilus is the C2 logjam in NA, which I increasingly feel has an obvious solution in Cuautitlan.

[akirby]

They could still move Nautius and Corsair to Cuautitlan.  It would be a mistake to walk away from those 2 in favor of EVs.

[joseodiaga4]

23 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

I'm doubting even long term that Nautilus will remain coming from China, as it doesn't seem like either party wants to undo the China ban, so they'll have to figure something out for it.  And adding Lincoln Bronco won't appeal to a large chunk of Nautilus buyers, IMO.

You are probably right, but I guess the need to find a solution then because as you say I also don't think that the Lincoln Bronco would appeal to the Nautilus buyers, and it is the best selling model and with a 65% rate of customers coming from another brand, you cannot loose it 

[rmc523]

5 minutes ago, akirby said:

They could still move Nautius and Corsair to Cuautitlan.  It would be a mistake to walk away from those 2 in favor of EVs.

 

Correct.  That's what I'm thinking will happen.

 

Mach-E goes away.

Make it a C2 plant - move Nautilus and Corsair there.  Add Bronco Sport (whether primary or overflow) to give additional volume for the plant.

 

Simultaneously, continue with the plan to add a "Corsair EV" (placeholder name) on CE1 at LAP to start that customer transition

Add Bronco sibling

 

That allows Lincoln to maintain and add to the lineup:

 

Corsair

"Corsair EV"

Nautilus

Bronco sibling

Aviator
Navigator / L

[akirby]

Here's another option.  With cd6 spawning a mustang CUV - move Nautilus to that platform and build it in Chicago.  Maybe even replace Aviator.

[Sherminator98]

3 minutes ago, akirby said:

Here's another option.  With cd6 spawning a mustang CUV - move Nautilus to that platform and build it in Chicago.  Maybe even replace Aviator.

 

I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. 

 

The current Explorer is supposed to stay in production till 2032 I want to say, so we are still 6-7 years out and who knows what is going to change between now and then.

If a significantly updated Explorer was supposed to come out in 2030 or so, I'd say a Mustang CUV might be possible, but IMO I don't think it is.

If anything I can see another Ford badged C2 Utility with the Nautilus coming about instead, esp if it winds up in Mexico   

[JTL2017]

12 minutes ago, akirby said:

Here's another option.  With cd6 spawning a mustang CUV - move Nautilus to that platform and build it in Chicago.  Maybe even replace Aviator.

I think expanding the cd6 platform to include a new Nautilus based on the Mustang cuv could work. Replacing the Aviator, though, would be a major mistake imo. 

[rmc523]

12 minutes ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. 

 

The current Explorer is supposed to stay in production till 2032 I want to say, so we are still 6-7 years out and who knows what is going to change between now and then.

If a significantly updated Explorer was supposed to come out in 2030 or so, I'd say a Mustang CUV might be possible, but IMO I don't think it is.

If anything I can see another Ford badged C2 Utility with the Nautilus coming about instead, esp if it winds up in Mexico   

 

I don't see why the lack of an Explorer redesign would necessarily mean an additional product (or two) couldn't go there?

 

I'd think the question would be more is there capacity for Explorer, Aviator, "Mach G" and a Lincoln counterpart?

[Texasota]

4 hours ago, Oac98 said:

If you ask me the Nautilus should’ve NEVER been imported from China in the first place or any other Lincoln for that matter. 

Agreed. I’m at the point in life where I would consider a Lincoln Corsair or possibly a Nautilus. But never from China. 

[Texasota]

55 minutes ago, akirby said:

Here's another option.  With cd6 spawning a mustang CUV - move Nautilus to that platform and build it in Chicago.  Maybe even replace Aviator.

ExplorerDude did tell us that CD6 wasn’t going away and instead it would be expanded.

[Sherminator98]

41 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

I don't see why the lack of an Explorer redesign would necessarily mean an additional product (or two) couldn't go there?

 

I'd think the question would be more is there capacity for Explorer, Aviator, "Mach G" and a Lincoln counterpart?

 

I'm looking at this way-the current CD6 Explorer is going to get another refresh soon before 2030 and end of production is around the 2032 timeframe.

 

I don't see Ford spending a huge sum of money to come out with a short CD6 that doesn't include the current Explorer/Aviator updates with it. 

 

Then the timeframe of it taking another 6 years to come out (2032) gives me pause considering how much of a shitshow product planning has been for Ford since the Maverick launch with 2-3 major programs killed off because of market/compliance changes...who knows what will wind up happening between now and then, and then say CAFE is reintroduced post 2028 or 2032 with a phase in period, the time to sell that product might not make it worthwhile to do so. 

 

I might be forward planning more then Ford does, but unless someone presents to me (if I was running Ford) a good plan to mitigate all that, I'd be leery of spending the money on it.  

[akirby]

26 minutes ago, Texasota said:

ExplorerDude did tell us that CD6 wasn’t going away and instead it would be expanded.

 

And confirmed it was a mustang CUV.

[twintornados]

4 hours ago, rmc523 said:

Mach-E goes away.

Make it a C2 plant - move Nautilus and Corsair there.  Add Bronco Sport (whether primary or overflow) to give additional volume for the plant....

 

technically the GE1 platform is a heavily modified C2 chassis to start with, so it would not be a huge leap to put C2 chassis vehicles into the plant. 

[Joe771476]

On 8/12/2026 at 8:15 PM, joseodiaga4 said:

Hope they get it, If not I don't know how Lincoln is going to survive with just the Aviator and Navigator

The luxury market is a joke. What makes a luxury brand? Price? Frills? Gadgetry? Anybody could have ordered a Ford Granada with all the bells and whistles of a Lincoln Versailles. Having said that, I don't get how Lincoln was on the verge of becoming the NEW standard of luxury around 1985 to 1995 by finally outselling Cadillac and being the go-to chassis for limos. The brand has been around since the early 1900's, right? And then all of a sudden Toyota comes out with the Lexus and calls it a luxury brand!  Who said? It was/is a glorified Toyota! And everybody said, "okay." Baloney! Yeah, I know at one point the Town Car was a glorified Crown Vic, but it stood out!  And the Lincoln Continental suicide door generation shared the 4-door Thunderbird platform, getting the most out of a single platform. To me, a luxury car is not based on frills and options or even styling, but on ride and spaciousness/comfort. A short wheel-based SUV Lexus can't compare to a long wheel-based chassis like a Town Car or Expedition/Navigator!  I don't care how much you put into shock absorbers, chassis refinement or. Call me old-school. I'd like to see a two-door retractable hardtop Lincoln either 2 or 4 seater. Or a 2-door 4-seater with a long hood, short rear deck like the Mark IV from 1973 to 1976. I wish I still had my baby blue 1974! Of course may be a little shorter because the parking stalls at the stores aren't long enough for the land yachts of the 60's and 70's. A 4 door 8 foot bed F350 takes up 2 stalls now! I don't see the luxury market thriving much longer. I don't think there's any need or demand for it. They call BMW a luxury brand? When you grab the interior grab handle to shut the door, you end up with black goop on your hands because the plastic melts under extreme heat!  Very luxurious!

[T hawker]

1 hour ago, Joe771476 said:

To me, a luxury car is not based on frills and options or even styling, but on ride and spaciousness/comfort.

Agree!  If Ford can charge $750 to put paint on a vehicle they can offer a "comfort" package as an option.  Seats with some cushion, smaller wheels with large side wall tires, softer suspension ect...  Offer more then a cheap black plastic interior, lets get some color options back with nice fabric/leather door panels and dashes.  There are a lot of us out there that grew up in the 60's 70's and 80's, we were taught how to drive in those land yachts and I for one miss that comfort.  My parents 1990 Town Car was the most comfortable car I ever experienced, it just needed an extra 100 hp. Offer that on an Explorer and/or Aviator, send a demonstrator out to every dealership, advertise the hell out of it to get customers into the showrooms and drive it.  Then watch your sales skyrocket.  But who am I?  I'm the guy that's retired with disposable income to spend on a vehicle like that, hell I just bought an F150 XL because of a bench seat with some cushion to it and a V8.

[jpd80]

On 8/13/2026 at 9:15 PM, twintornados said:

 

From what I remember of what was previously said, the issue is in the paint shop with not enough height. When Flat Rock was first built, it was a casting plant for Ford and closed in 1981. Then it was "sold" to Mazda for a joint venture to built Mazda6 and Probe and later Cougar....well before the current CUV demand and since it was "only" building coupes and sedans, the height issue was no issue at all....

Logistics and costs.

Flat Rock was supposed to get a new $500 million paint plant quite some time ago (cancelled)

The issue with low height vehicles goes to available clearance with running height of overhead 

conveyors and the distance between skillet floor and connection to the conveyor, all of that need

to increase if you want to build taller vehicles. Assuming body shop and coating dip step are not

difficult to reconfigure….The big issue has been Ford’s lack of investment, they were hoping that

S550/S650 we’re economic platform upgrades not requiring much to be done to Flat Rock.

 

Edited August 15 by jpd80

[jpd80]

On 8/14/2026 at 5:24 AM, twintornados said:

 

technically the GE1 platform is a heavily modified C2 chassis to start with, so it would not be a huge leap to put C2 chassis vehicles into the plant. 

Correct, from its inception as a compliance utility, the idea was to use C2 bodies with additional

aluminum front, middle and rear cradles that approximate a GM skateboard approach.

 

Using the C-Max as the starting point really screwed things up, out of date data strikes again but,

If Field had started GE1 with the right C2s at development (Focus and Escape) there wouldn’t have

been the near doubling of costs to add a Mach E crossover…maybe even Lincoln versions of all three?

 

It absolutely galls me to see how Ford Eng “sabotaged” its own efforts, I wonder if some of it was done

in a way to make it look less obvious and to a accentuate why BEVs weren’t ready for prime time.

 

Edited August 15 by jpd80

[akirby]

The Panther mafia lives!

 

Sofas on wheels for everybody!

[Joe771476]

I didn't want to start a new thread.

 

(214) SOLD! 1965 Lincoln Continental Custom Convertible - BARRETT-JACKSON 2026 LAS VEGAS AUCTION - YouTube

[mackinaw]

1 hour ago, Joe771476 said:

I didn't want to start a new thread.

 

(214) SOLD! 1965 Lincoln Continental Custom Convertible - BARRETT-JACKSON 2026 LAS VEGAS AUCTION - YouTube

 

Not surprised that Continental convertible went for $330,000. 

 

My dad was an engineer in Ford Engine Design back in the day and we got a new lease car every year.  In '63 or '64 we had a burgundy Continental as our lease car.  Just a gorgeous car.  Wish we kept that one.

[morgan20]

“Lincoln is a quintessentially American brand, and Ford is America’s automaker. This wasn’t necessarily the easiest path. In fact, it’s a path most of our competitors aren’t choosing to take. But Ford builds in America because we believe in America, and we’re betting on that belief again, said Ford CEO and President Jim Farley.

 

Hey Jimbo, if your plan is to "grow Lincoln production in the U.S. beginning in 2030", then the U.S. Lincoln product lineup at that point should consist solely of body-on-frame vehicles and electric vehicles.

[rmc523]

FWIW, Borg's latest commentary.....

 

 

 

Believe what you will...

 

[Sherminator98]

2 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

FWIW, Borg's latest commentary.....

 

 

 

Believe what you will...

 

 

 

Isn't he contradicting himself here? 

 

Fathom = compact CUV EV

[rmc523]

Just now, Sherminator98 said:

 

 

Isn't he contradicting himself here? 

 

Fathom = compact CUV EV

 

Well......for one, Ford has referred to Fathom is a "midsize"......but either way it's a compact truck to me....

 

He's saying they're doing:

 

he's saying truck, and two crossovers - compact and midsize.  Don't know if the "Mythic" (Fathom twin) is considered the midsize or compact....

[Sherminator98]

5 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

he's saying truck, and two crossovers - compact and midsize.  Don't know if the "Mythic" (Fathom twin) is considered the midsize or compact....

 

Going by how the ICE lineup was, I'd assume that the Mythic EV CUV would be in the 180-190" Length range aka Compact CUV like the Escape was, but that is going without knowing what the actual dimensions of the UEV is. A true subcompact CUV would be in the sub 180 range like the Bronco Sport. 

 

As far as I know the UEV would need another 2 inches or so of width to make it a true midsized vehicle, like how the Edge was about 2 inches wider in width vs the Escape or other C based products. Adding length (for the most part) doesn't make a midsized product. I was looking at the C2 Chinese lineup and with width varies from 73.2 inches on the Lincoln Z to 77 on the Edge and 76.9 on the Nautilus, so I guess Ford can make platforms wider if they need to, but I'd expect the Fathom to birth a true C Long and maybe a C short CUV down the road, vs moving up to a midsized product. 

Edited October 1 by Sherminator98