But did she love it enough to pay $5k more?  If so she was in the minority.  If Ford can make an exciting replacement that can be built for thousands less they can make that 8% margin target.

Boring=Commodity product that sells on price/incentives   Ford wants to sell products that have a hook to them so they don't need to use incentives as much and have "natural" demand for them because buyers want them not because they are cheaper then everything else.    The Escape was a perfectly fine vehicle, but it had no hook to bring in customers and make those customers "want it" and even spend more money on it via the dealership to get aftermarket items that are pure profit. At least that is how I see it from the cheap seats. 

Probably should have included that. Sounds like Anything smaller than and Expedition or Suburban would probably give you trouble 

Yeah, Escape is so "boring" that my girlfriend is on her 5th one....started in 2002, then 2005, then 2010, then 2017...each one rolling up a trouble free 100+K miles with no issue....she had a Forester between the 2010 and 2017 and it had nothing but issues so she got back into an Escape for 2017....when it came time, she felt she wanted something a little smaller since she had retired and took a CX-30 Mazda out for a test ride, and did not like it. She got a 2024 Escape and is enjoying it.....she looked at a Bronco Sport, but did not like it. It will be several years before she needs a replacement, I hope Ford has a small SUV available that is more Escape-esque or she may just end up elsewhere, I hope not. She never thought her Escape was "boring".

I would love to see more BL themes and special editions, other luxury brands do this

Why compete with Toyota RAV4 if every, vehicle you sell makes little or no profit Maybe put that funding to better use on vehicles that people want to buy and will pay more.

I wonder if they will use this as an inspiration for a new theme

I wish Lincoln offered more Black Label themes. Some with more creativity. The current themes (Navigator) are dull. I miss the Yacht Club theme lol

Nope, 5'8". Back and knee issues ever since my Army days though.

Lincoln has unveiled a one-off Navigator for Serena Williams. Features a Perfect Rose exterior with custom wheels and accents. Two-tone cabin sports rose gold flourishes and hand-painted console.   https://www.carscoops.com/2026/04/lincoln-serena-williams-navigator/