What's in a name? Lincoln moniker system confuses Ford dealers

[swenson88]

Generally speaking, yeah, they've stuck pretty true to the names, but even several years ago the 323 started shipping with a 2.5 liter which seemed to confuse people.

 

Side note: Anyone remember the lovely 318ti?

 

yup, it's in the same league as that C230 hatchback from Mercedes. Bad thinking.

[Mark B. Morrow]

Generally speaking, yeah, they've stuck pretty true to the names, but even several years ago the 323 started shipping with a 2.5 liter which seemed to confuse people.

 

Side note: Anyone remember the lovely 318ti?

 

 

The 5.0 Mustang was really a 4.9 if I remember correctly.

[mkoesel]

Generally speaking, yeah, they've stuck pretty true to the names, but even several years ago the 323 started shipping with a 2.5 liter which seemed to confuse people.

 

Yep, and there were plenty of other example before that. The second two numbers roughly correspond to displacement, but they are sometimes just a rough indicator of performance relative to the models above or below.

 

For MY2007, it will be 328i and 335i. This is for all models - sedan, coupe, wagon (328 only), convertible. The 328i is a 3.0L with 230hp/200ft-lbs, while the 335i is a 3.0L light pressure turbo with 300hp/300ft-lbs.

 

And yeah the 318ti was a joke.

[taxman100]

2nd time I've seen this. Have to correct it.

 

The ONLY 325 that comes with a 2.5 liter is the coupe/convertible. The 325 sedan and wagon both use a 3.0 liter.

 

The 550 uses a 4.8, not a 5.0. The 750 also uses a 4.8 liter. Ditto the 650.

 

It's not entirely clearcut at BMW either....

Just pointing that little tidbit out. :bandance:

 

 

Thanks for the clarification. I don't really follow BMW much, but it seems they have marketing people who don't want to dilute the marketing power of their established names.

[Nick986]

2nd time I've seen this. Have to correct it.

 

The ONLY 325 that comes with a 2.5 liter is the coupe/convertible. The 325 sedan and wagon both use a 3.0 liter.

 

The 550 uses a 4.8, not a 5.0. The 750 also uses a 4.8 liter. Ditto the 650.

 

It's not entirely clearcut at BMW either....

Just pointing that little tidbit out. :bandance:

Thank you for posting that Nick, I was just about to point that out as well. BMW's naming system used to make some sense...these days, it makes as much sense as Lincoln's new setup.

 

I wish Lincoln would stick to names instead of goofy 3 letter setups, but obviously they are the experts and know the market. :shrug:

[Roadrunner]

The only thing Lincoln must not do is bring back the Continental - that name is dead among younger generations.

 

But a Mark ---something sedan is a good move, because I believe some think the Mark VIII was hip.

[retro-man]

The only thing Lincoln must not do is bring back the Continental - that name is dead among younger generations.

Shut up! :rolleyes:

Case closed.

Edited July 29, 2006 by retro-man

[RichardJensen]

The only thing Lincoln must not do is bring back the Continental - that name is dead among younger generations.

 

But a Mark ---something sedan is a good move, because I believe some think the Mark VIII was hip.

MKC "Continental" like MX-5 "Miata"?

 

Lincoln has a limited window to resume using the name Continental, otherwise they may lose it for good.

 

Alternately, they could just call it "Continental", and not Lincoln (not without precedent: the Continental Mk II carried no Lincoln badging, and the '84 Continental and MK VII did not carry Lincoln badging either.)

 

Of course, if the primary aim is to reinforce the Lincoln brand, then eliminating it from the car is probably not a good idea.

[Guest Sixcav]

taxman100 hit the nail on the head -- the MKS/MKZ idea is a naming ploy, and a confusing one at that.

 

The MKX, however, is a decent idea, as it makes it unique to the Edge. "X" suggests aggressiveness, and that works on a CUV.

 

"S" suggests.... I dunno.

 

The MKZ would be better named as the Zephyr.

 

This kind of thinking is what leads to people paying tens of thousands of dollars for some splatter painting that looks like the artwork of about a four year old child. But since it was placed on the wall at some gallery it must be rare and collectible right?

 

Why in the hell does "X" suggest aggressiveness? Why can't it suggest somberness or embarassment for that matter? Why does "X" have to suggest anything? Why does any letter of the english alphabet make you think of an emotional state? It's just a damn letter, that's it. Please tell me you're not so shallow as to think that a letter in the name of car suggests aggressiveness. I mean when someone says to me MKX I don't feel the urge to act out violently or ascert some sort of macho bullshit persona. Do you? No, X just suggests the letter X, that's it. If you see any aggressiveness in that it's purely your own fantasy. Where do you people come up with this stuff? Are you that bored that you have to figure out what the letter X in a damn car name suggests? If you are I'd be happy to suggest to you some hobbies that are enjoyable and relaxing and you don't end up coming off sounding like, well like you do. lol Don't take it personally I just find it funny that the letter X could suggest anything is all.

Edited July 30, 2006 by Sixcav

[Roadrunner]

Xtasy.

X-treme.

"I shot my ex."

 

Maybe not that last one.

 

But letters have been given imagery it seems, and I think it fits. I believe a part of it is how the letter is pronounced. "X" has a sharp, alerting sound to it, whereas "S" (for example) has a casual feel.

 

Of course, this might sound like garbage, but why are cars named anything at all, instead of the perfunctory manner of BMW's system.

[RichardJensen]

Don't take it personally I just find it funny that the letter X could suggest anything is all.

And yet you mentioned porn stars on another thread this evening....

[Guest Sixcav]

LOL, that's very true Richard, but then porn stars don't suggest anything do they? What you see is what you get. So I guess one X has no signifigance but three X's does, is that your point? Heck if you named a car the Triple X I bet you'd sell a gozillion of them.

 

Seriously though, I think we get all worked up about the name of a car, and what it "suggests". It's much ado about nothing. I know, I know, somewhere there's a marketing firm that gets paid big dollars to conduct all sorts of demographic surveys (yes I used an 11 letter word Richard just keep your comments to yourself) and figure out just exactly the right name to stick on some car that will strike a cord with the appropriate target customers. They probably have all sorts of formulas based on income level, education level, where you live, your hair color and underware size. I think its all a bunch of shit. So long as they aren't naming cars things like "Jaloppy" or "Rolling Shitheap" I think people will still buy them. I mean look, Mazda named a car the Miata. It sounds like an Italian cuisine but low and behold the damn thing sells and it's their only car that's not numbered.

Edited July 30, 2006 by Sixcav

[RichardJensen]

Actually, it's now the MX-5 (usually with Miata immediately after it in quotations or parentheses). See my above remark.

 

The study of 'phonaesthetics', which you allude to, is a valid discipline. While it cannot empirically investigate 'first principles' (WHY we use single syllable words for meaningless intensifiers: e.g. damn, hell, etc.), the scientific method (hypothesis, experiment, evaluate, theory) can be applied to invented words, and words (such as Fusion) that are being used as proper names.

 

Drug companies spend a fortune on phonaesthetic reserch (hence 'lipitor', 'zyrtec', 'nexium', 'prilosec', 'claritin', etc.)

 

Phonaesthetic research usually leads to meaningless quasi-scientific names like "nexium", which taken literally could describe a street intersection, or "viagra", which contains the Greek suffix for painful seizures (-agra). They also give us product names like "Yaris", "Miata", "Acura", "Lexus", "Camry", "Versa", "XTerra", etc. As well as suggestions on what words should be applied to a product (i.e., "Milan", "Pacifica", "Edge") and what words should not ("Fireball", "Rough Rider", "Merkur", etc.)

Edited July 30, 2006 by RichardJensen

[Noah Harbinger]

I may be slow, but y'all do realize the third letter is just a mnemonic for the class of car, or model it succeeds, right?

 

The MKX, however, is a decent idea, as it makes it unique to the Edge. "X" suggests aggressiveness, and that works on a CUV.

 

An X is also called a Cross (I.E. St. Andrew's Cross or a bondage cross), hence Crossover... They're no doubt saving MKC for a mnemonic for Continental or Coupe or something.

 

"S" suggests.... I dunno.

 

maybe, I dunno, Sedan?

[fllcobra]

I realize I am in the minority here but having actually stepped into a Lincoln/Mercury dealer and given serious consideration to the purchase of a Zephyr, I can emphatically say that alpha numeric names are a better way to get brand recognition across the entire line.

 

I would consider the purchase of a 'Lincoln MKZ' but not a 'Zephyr'....

 

But I bought a Mountaineer instead. And I can't tell you how stupid this name sounds for this vehicle because nothing about this truck implies anything other than 'metropolitan'.

[Noah Harbinger]

I realize I am in the minority here but having actually stepped into a Lincoln/Mercury dealer and given serious consideration to the purchase of a Zephyr, I can emphatically say that alpha numeric names are a better way to get brand recognition across the entire line.

 

I would consider the purchase of a 'Lincoln MKZ' but not a 'Zephyr'....

 

1) MKZ is alphanumeric; it's just not a word or word-like accumulation of letters *coughCAMRYcough*.

 

2) I would suspect (and of course I am guessing based on broad generalities rather than your specific case) this is because Lincoln does not currently enjoy a strong reputation. If you tell people "I've got a Lincoln MKZ" they're gonna remember, "He's got a Lincoln" and imagine a Continental or Town Car (which, despite being quality cars, carry a Grandpa image to most people). And let's face it, on some level we're all pretty image conscious.

 

In the future, if Lincoln is successful at remaking their image into luxury cars that un-retired people want, you won't worry about having an Mk car. (I think it would be a good idea if they might only name their hip cars marketed towards the living with the Mk moniker, so that young people associate the Mk with the cool cars, and old people can walk past 'em to the fusty corners of the dealership).

[Roadrunner]

In the future, if Lincoln is successful at remaking their image into luxury cars that un-retired people want, you won't worry about having an Mk car. (I think it would be a good idea if they might only name their hip cars marketed towards the living with the Mk moniker, so that young people associate the Mk with the cool cars, and old people can walk past 'em to the fusty corners of the dealership).

 

That's why I hope they don't build a Continental, unless that's what the 500-based "MKS" could be renamed.

 

MKS is a baffling name because it just doesn't seem to fit with an American brand's style.

 

The study of 'phonaesthetics', which you allude to, is a valid discipline. While it cannot empirically investigate 'first principles' (WHY we use single syllable words for meaningless intensifiers: e.g. damn, hell, etc.), the scientific method (hypothesis, experiment, evaluate, theory) can be applied to invented words, and words (such as Fusion) that are being used as proper names.

 

...

 

Phonaesthetic research usually leads to meaningless quasi-scientific names like "nexium", which taken literally could describe a street intersection, or "viagra", which contains the Greek suffix for painful seizures (-agra). They also give us product names like "Yaris", "Miata", "Acura", "Lexus", "Camry", "Versa", "XTerra", etc. As well as suggestions on what words should be applied to a product (i.e., "Milan", "Pacifica", "Edge") and what words should not ("Fireball", "Rough Rider", "Merkur", etc.)

 

That was the point I was trying to present -- what products are named hold importance among people who are more sensitive to words and the sound of words. I believe it is more oriented towards people who use the "writing" part of their brain more.

 

I -almost- asked you if you were a mathemetician or engineer, Sixcav, but I decided against it.

 

But I sure as heck would go for a Fusion but not a Futura. I'd feel awkward driving a "Futura" because I'd be thinking, "obsolete Fairmont bodystyle"

Edited July 31, 2006 by Roadrunner

[RichardJensen]

what products are named hold importance among people who are more sensitive to words and the sound of words. I believe it is more oriented towards people who use the "writing" part of their brain more.

Not necessarily. One of the reasons for teaching this 'touchy feely crap' in college is because there are rules to it, and whether you are aware of the rules or not, you are still affected by them.

 

Your percetpion of products is shaped in part by the name. A bad name gives a negative cast to an otherwise sound product (Merkur XR4Ti, for instance).

[Guest Sixcav]

The study of 'phonaesthetics', which you allude to, is a valid discipline.

 

I'm sure it is, but then so is transindental meditation.

No I'm certainly no engineer and have no desire to be. Thank God for engineers but damn what a boring job. I think Ford could have named the Fusion the Futura and it would have sold the same. Who knows. Chevy named a car after an African antelope and it's one of their most highly regarded cars from the sixties and seventies.

 

This notion that somehow the name reflects something about the car to me is just proof that PT Barnum was right, there really is a sucker born every minute. The Thunderbird for isntance. Say what you want about the Thunderbird, good or bad over its many versions over the years, the fact is that it was just a car and what does that have to do with a Thunderbird? Nothing. If you let yourself be influcenced by the tag some company sticks on a car you are shallow and without merit. Buy the damn thing because it suits your needs or desires. Do you need a car to carry kids and groceries or do you desire a sports car that handles great and goes fast.

[RichardJensen]

I'm sure it is, but then so is transindental meditation.

There's no comparison. Transcendental Meditation is a pseudo-psychology that cannot be evaluated using any metric other than whether someone 'feels better' after a session. There is no explanation of how it works or where it works.

 

For someone who claims to have a design background, it seems rather odd that you would take such a dismissive view of a recognized aspect of linguistic study (phonaesthetics and sound symbolism).

[630land]

Camry isn't a fake word, it's loosely Japanese for 'Crown'. And so frigging what? Versa is short for Versitle, and Acura is short for accurate.

 

Ford's most famous non-named car as LTD. Some say it means 'limited'. But by 1983, the Fox based LTD were hardly top of the line models.

 

Gm did some funny ones, what is Acheiva? Where is Ciera? Or the almost Olds Anteres? ewwww

[Noah Harbinger]

But I sure as heck would go for a Fusion but not a Futura. I'd feel awkward driving a "Futura" because I'd be thinking, "obsolete Fairmont bodystyle"

 

I hate hate hate the name Futura, it reminds me of some cheesy 50's prediction for what the world would be like in 2000.

[Roadrunner]

I hate hate hate the name Futura, it reminds me of some cheesy 50's prediction for what the world would be like in 2000.

 

Exactly!!

 

As for the Ford LTD, in 1983 there were two major body styles: The Fox-based LTD LX and the Panther LTD Crown Victoria.

 

Crown Vics lost their LTD name only in... 1991?

 

As an aside, personally I thought "Acheiva" was a good name slapped on what is now a modest car. For the time it was more different looking, though.

Edited July 31, 2006 by Roadrunner

[Guest Sixcav]

For someone who claims to have a design background, it seems rather odd that you would take such a dismissive view of a recognized aspect of linguistic study (phonaesthetics and sound symbolism).

 

Hey don't worry man, I'm dismissive about a lot of aspects of design as well. Superficial horseshit for superficial people.

[RichardJensen]

Oh yeah. I saw the 'everything's squares, circles, and triangles' post earlier.

 

Of course, that's not how they teach design.