Fields: Dont Count Lincoln Out

[ANTAUS]

http://wardsauto.com/north-america/fields-don-t-count-lincoln-out

[jpd80]

It's like Lincoln is dancing around with one foot nailed to the floor, until Ford delivers next product cycle vehicles,

Lincoln must make do with whatever it can get........

 

It must be so frustrating to Lincoln dealers who are constantly telling Ford what types of vehicles they could sell TODAY,

a good Midsized car (MKZ), a compact SUV (MKC) a good 2/3-row SUV (MKX & Aviator) and a Compact Sedan (MKF).

Larger vehicles like MKS and Navigator are welcome but sell in much lower numbers...

Edited April 18, 2014 by jpd80

[Footballfan]

Lincoln wants to align itself with self-driving cars. I have news for you, those who would be interested in self-driving cars are hardly car enthusiasts IMHO. They would probably look at the vehicle as a personal bus- something that is comfortable and not much else. People buy luxury cars in part because they enjoy the motoring experience.

[silvrsvt]

People buy luxury cars in part because they enjoy the motoring experience.

 

Seem like younger generations aren't even interested in driving anymore! I think its due mostly to costs...the biggest car buying market is people who are 45+ years old

[akirby]

 

Seem like younger generations aren't even interested in driving anymore! I think its due mostly to costs...the biggest car buying market is people who are 45+ years old

 

It's not cost - it's because they're connected online 24x7 and as long as they have one or two friends with cars they're fine.

 

As opposed to me growing up in a small town where there was nothing else to do but drive around and nothing to do at home except watch 3 or 4 tv channels. We couldn't wait to start driving. Different times.

[ANTAUS]

Did anyone read the press release on the other Lincoln threat/link? It explains how the showroom experience will be laid out. I believe the hardest plan is to get Lincoln dealerships to pour that much money into showrooms to upgrade it, when the same thing happened 15 years ago and failed miserably, its so much easier for China because they are building them from the ground up.

[theoldwizard]

Lincoln is and has been on "life support" for several years now. I don't see that changing any time soon.

[blazerdude20]

 

It's not cost - it's because they're connected online 24x7 and as long as they have one or two friends with cars they're fine.

 

As opposed to me growing up in a small town where there was nothing else to do but drive around and nothing to do at home except watch 3 or 4 tv channels. We couldn't wait to start driving. Different times.

I strongly disagree. It is about cost. It's hard to afford a $400 car payment when you have to pay rent and student loans making $12 hour out of college. My best friend is a huge auto enthusiast but had to dump his s2000 and truck in order to buy a house. Now he drives 90's civic wagon. Not exactly the vehicle you want to mod but you have to do what you need to.

 

I'd love to drive a new f150 but I have student loans to purge first. Hard to be enthusiastic about the stripper ranger I drive daily.

[NickF1011]

Lincoln is and has been on "life support" for several years now. I don't see that changing any time soon.

 

I would disagree, but only time will tell. I think the most important Lincoln of the past several decades is the MKC. If it does well, the rest of the brand should be able to follow. Combined with the MKZ and MKX (which is still sell decently despite its age), it should be plenty to finally put most dealers back on a solid footing. That's surely something that couldn't be said of the Lincoln dealer structure for some time.

[630land]

As I heard in "Inquring Minds for Cars", they are hard at work unwrapping old tooling for Town Cars, Continentals, Mark 8's, and even the Versailles. Buyers can order a reproduction of any Lincoln from 1961 to 2011.!!!

[Edstock]

Lincoln is and has been on "life support" for several years now. I don't see that changing any time soon.

 

For sure, re-building the marque will take another 10 years, at least, and probably closer to 20. 2017 is the centennial of the badge, so, with that in mind, what's another 10 years?

 

It sure tries the patience, though. However, Lincoln is a great opportunity for Ford, with the removal of Jaguar and Land-Rover from the stable. There will be surprises.

[akirby]

I strongly disagree. It is about cost. It's hard to afford a $400 car payment when you have to pay rent and student loans making $12 hour out of college. My best friend is a huge auto enthusiast but had to dump his s2000 and truck in order to buy a house. Now he drives 90's civic wagon. Not exactly the vehicle you want to mod but you have to do what you need to.

 

I'd love to drive a new f150 but I have student loans to purge first. Hard to be enthusiastic about the stripper ranger I drive daily.

 

This isn't about owning a car - it's about getting their licenses and driving. I know many many kids who don't even try to get their licenses when they turn 16. My neighbor waited until he was 18. Others wait even later.

 

And in my area a lot of the kids don't buy their own cars anyway - parents buy them or let them use a family vehicle. But they still don't get their permits at 15 or licenses at 16. They just don't seem to care about driving.

[traxiii]

 

It's not cost - it's because they're connected online 24x7 and as long as they have one or two friends with cars they're fine.

 

As opposed to me growing up in a small town where there was nothing else to do but drive around and nothing to do at home except watch 3 or 4 tv channels. We couldn't wait to start driving. Different times.

You can't drive while "gaming" or "texting" anymore…legally anyway, that and I think my nephews would rather play race/drive on their ipod than drive a real car.

 

I think I heard that texting while driving was one of the biggest causes of death for young people nowadays, so maybe it's a good thing?

[mustang84isu]

 

Seem like younger generations aren't even interested in driving anymore! I think its due mostly to costs...the biggest car buying market is people who are 45+ years old

 

I'm older gen Y (30), and maybe it's because I live in the Midwest where public transportation is less convenient, but I only know a handful of people my age who don't own cars and choose to take public transportation instead. Most of them live in dense cities like Chicago or San Francisco where it is cost prohibitive to own a car.

 

But I know a heck of a lot of people who post pictures of their new car on Facebook. Even my cousin who is still in high school and not the type of person I would think of as a car fanatic was pretty particular on what type of car she was going to purchase (2nd gen Ford Fusion). I don't know that automotive passion is necessarily dead among younger generations, but new car ownership is definitely delayed due to student loan debt.

Edited April 18, 2014 by mustang84isu

[akirby]

You can't drive while "gaming" or "texting" anymore…legally anyway, that and I think my nephews would rather play race/drive on their ipod than drive a real car.

 

I think I heard that texting while driving was one of the biggest causes of death for young people nowadays, so maybe it's a good thing?

 

Teen driving period is dangerous even without phone and other distractions. They don't pay attention. They don't know how to handle emergency situations. Drivers Education is a joke - it should be driver training and it should be a lot more intense like some of the private sessions where you do emergency maneuvers.

 

I like what GA has done (and other states) with graduated licenses. No non-family members for the first 6 months. No driving between midnight and 6 am until you're 18. No more than 3 other people in the vehicle until you're 18. And a few others.

And a strict point limit or you lose your license (20+ over the limit or reckless driving or dui or any other 4 point infraction and you lose it for at least 6 months). Also for failing high school.

 

It should probably go further but it's a good start.

[AlRozzi]

Back to Lincoln, I disagree that rebuilding the brand will necessarily take a great deal of time. I think back to when Acura and Lexus first debuted and how quickly the two brands caught on. A renewed Lincoln could do the same with the right offerings.

[jpd80]

China is critical to Lincoln's future, it will be the foundation the brand needs to carry the costs of new smaller and better differentiated Lincolns.

Yes, It's not all about products and i realize that the whole "lincoln Experience" is critical to attracting true luxury buyres but Ford also needs to

back that up with suitable products - Lincoln is surviving on the merits of MKZ, the continuing good will towards MKX and Navigator

but new vehicles like MKC will certainly attract more buyers to Lincoln showrooms.,

 

While MKZ and MKX will continue the heavy lifting at Lincoln, (IMO) lower cost compact vehicles, like MKC Ute, an MKF sedan and

an MKR Mustang coupe are also critical to Lincoln's rebirth because they attract buyers into the showroom who are either conquests

form other brands or graduating Ford buyers. I hope that Ford's long term plan includes all of these vehicles as I'm sure that

Lincoln dealers would be able to find buyers for al of them.

 

While MKS, Navigator and an Aviator (MKT replacement) add profit at the top end, their sales are going much lower

and their replacements probably a lower priority to dealerships

Edited April 18, 2014 by jpd80

[akirby]

Back to Lincoln, I disagree that rebuilding the brand will necessarily take a great deal of time. I think back to when Acura and Lexus first debuted and how quickly the two brands caught on. A renewed Lincoln could do the same with the right offerings.

 

It's more a question of how long it will take Lincoln to get all the new products and dealership experience in place considering they're doing it without deficit financing.

 

If they were willing to spend a bunch of money up front they could do it faster but there doesn't seem to be a compelling reason to do that considering Lincoln is profitable now (according to Ford).

 

Edit: almost forgot...........negatard..........

Edited April 19, 2014 by akirby

[jpd80]

 

It's more a question of how long it will take Lincoln to get all the new products and dealership experience in place considering they're doing it without deficit financing.

 

If they were willing to spend a bunch of money up front they could do it faster but there doesn't seem to be a compelling reason to do that considering Lincoln is profitable now (according to Ford).

 

Perhaps another region like China paying for development costs could actually speeds up delivery of more products...

[ZanatWork]

Back to Lincoln, I disagree that rebuilding the brand will necessarily take a great deal of time. I think back to when Acura and Lexus first debuted and how quickly the two brands caught on. A renewed Lincoln could do the same with the right offerings.

Acura is possibly the most "guilty" marque of rebadging in the automotive world, and has been almost as schizophrenic as Lincoln in terms of identity. Toyota had a modern rwd chassis to work with, along with the Camry.

 

I don't like Toyota/Lexus, but their spread across fwd/rwd/awd platforms looks smart enough as a broad approach. Every luxury company is also embracing a strong "sport" element, which will inevitably be dismissed by some hereabouts...but Audi cares enough about it for "S" and "R" lines, BMW has various "M" things going on, Benz with AMG, Lexus with F...and the brands benefit. I'd like the Red Label to show up...hopefully without the huge silent period that came with the mishandled rollout of the Black Label.

[2b2]

Back to Lincoln, I disagree that rebuilding the brand will necessarily take a great deal of time. I think back to when Acura and Lexus first debuted and how quickly the two brands caught on. A renewed Lincoln could do the same with the right offerings.

 

AGREE, Al

 

in 2 years when the LincStang is out, perception will get the boot in its *** that it deserves

:D

 

[AlRozzi]

Edit: almost forgot...........negatard..........

Now you're catching on:-))

 

I like the no debt approach.

 

I am getting a vibe about Lincoln however. I can foresee a "Fusion" sales fusion happening in the market for lincoln. In fact I can sense an "Escape" escape route out of recent sales doldrums.

 

(was going to use the ol' "going forward" cliche' because it is so stupid but I couldn't get myself to do it)

Edited April 19, 2014 by AlRozzi

[630land]

I've posted this a million time, but I think all those Town Cars as Livery at Airports, etc, hurt Lincoln's image badly. Sure, RWD fans loved the Town Car and expected it to "never die", but Lincoln has to get over being the car that "the Help Drives".

[rmc523]

I've posted this a million time, but I think all those Town Cars as Livery at Airports, etc, hurt Lincoln's image badly. Sure, RWD fans loved the Town Car and expected it to "never die", but Lincoln has to get over being the car that "the Help Drives".

I think that the MKT Town Car was a last minute effort to boost poor MKT sales, rather than an effort to give Lincoln a certain image (though I suppose you're probably just saying it inadvertently gives Lincoln that image, rather than it being a goal of Lincoln).

[bzcat]

I've posted this a million time, but I think all those Town Cars as Livery at Airports, etc, hurt Lincoln's image badly. Sure, RWD fans loved the Town Car and expected it to "never die", but Lincoln has to get over being the car that "the Help Drives".

 

The thing that hurt Lincoln's image wasn't that Town Cars were/are used as livery cars. It was that Panther Town Car was ridiculously out of step with what the market demanded for a full size luxury car. Since the demise of Panther Town Car, a lot of livery service have switched to Audi or Mercedes diesels, or various SUVs. I very much doubt that people riding in those vehicles are forming negative perceptions about the luxury cachet of those cars... a diesel Mercedes black car is still a Mercedes inside and out. A Lincoln black car was a Crown Vic with extra chrome.