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Hold The CPR! Lincoln is Showing Signs Of Life

Agent009 submitted on 04/13/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 10:45 AM
from: wardsauto.com

[25] user comments | category: Spy Shots

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Hold The CPR! Lincoln is Showing Signs Of Life

Riding an 8.1% year-to-date sales increase, Ford Motor Co.’s Lincoln division is providing the troubled auto maker with a glimmer of hope its turnaround plan is working.

Last month’s 6% hike in deliveries marked the brand’s fifth consecutive year-over-year sales escalation.

While stopping short of calling Lincoln’s modest growth a trend, it is regarded by insiders as something “sustainable for the foreseeable future,” says George Pipas, Ford’s top U.S. sales analyst.

“It seems like this kind of retail performance might be more than a one-hit wonder,” Pipas tells Ward’s. “Lincoln might emerge as a much different brand than where we started two to three years ago.”

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neutral - 4/13/2007 12:18:13 PM

+1 Boost

The MKZ is gorgeous. My 2 cents though:

- Add ESP standard (to fusion and milan as well)
- Kill all retro gauges (copy what Lexus/Acura have)

Aside from these (rather small) things, the MKZ and MKX are awesome vehicles.

Comparison test: MKZ vs 2008 CTS......sorry MKZ, CTS wins

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jt716 - 4/13/2007 2:32:57 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I love the new lincolns!! MKZ is cool!!

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aeyjay - 4/13/2007 2:42:06 PM

+2 Boost

Lincolns look too similar to their Ford counterparts and that makes for a less exclusive feeling. Cadillac, on the other hand, has a style that isn't as easy to link to Chevrolet.

CTS vs. MKZ... CTS wins (styling alone)

I know I mention this often, but pull up an MKZ and Fusion and view the almost identical profiles. Next, do the same to the CTS and the... uhm... nothing comes to mind!

Damn Lincoln, America is rooting for you, and we want to see something special from your plants. With a website like 'lincolnlounge.com' though, they apparently are sipping too many mocha latte's instead of creating an unmistakeable style identity and a lineup that can go head to head with Cadillac.

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Carboy - 4/13/2007 3:10:09 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

chuck717 - 4/13/2007 3:22:27 PM

+1 Boost

Lincoln dealers are really trying, there service dept is polite and helpful now. The cars are priced pretty well and they are looking good, overall much better a hats off to them!

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jt716 - 4/13/2007 3:30:53 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

finally people r atleast a bit positive. Lincoln has new models coming up!! Cant wait for MKS

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jt716 - 4/13/2007 5:41:10 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

sigh..

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jt716 - 4/13/2007 5:44:09 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

if ford was so horrible how cud they bring the land rovers reliability higher while BMW cudnt becuz all their electronics had prblems. Also with Aston Martin. The only person who made mistakes was Bill Ford who sent the company to the drain. Now Alan Mullaly has to pick up the pieces

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Agent63 - 4/13/2007 9:13:41 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

If you like cheap wood, cheap plastic then the MKS is the car for you. I sat in it expecting some decent fine finishing but it was horrible! I was disappointed. Then I saw in the Lincoln Mark LT truck and the door shut like it was going to fall off. Interior wise the Ford trucks were about the same. Sure the Lincoln's look more luxurious but with wood and leather a Ford could look the same or similar.

Lincoln needs to step up many levels to be the same as Cadillac. Cadillac's pulling away from Lincoln. If they lose anymore money Lincoln should be scratched and Ford should concentrate on their house hold name.

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aeyjay - 4/13/2007 9:25:30 PM

0 Boost

It makes me wonder why Mercury even exists now. Three cars (Fusion, Milan, MKZ) that are in essence TOO similar.

Fusion- marked towards 'enthusiasts'
Milan- marked towards women
MKZ- marked towards ?, competes with ?

Agent63 - 4/14/2007 4:12:50 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Their marketing is all over the place. They are one confused company like S4 said. They don't know who the cater to. The Lincoln LS was a disaster in looks, the new navigator is a disaster in looks. Another thing is when you have to rename a car it clearly shows the company's feeling desperate. I'm also surprised Mercury is still around. They should take out Mercury and concentrate on reviving the Lincoln brand.

speedracer54 - 4/13/2007 9:31:28 PM

+1 Boost

The mkz is a sweet car, they revised it from 2006 with a new engine and face. So now it is different from the fusion. I cant wait for the MKS either.

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jt716 - 4/13/2007 10:15:47 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

well why does pontiac saturn chevy exist?

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aeyjay - 4/13/2007 11:57:07 PM

0 Boost

I see the point... but in all honesty, I believe the American market is never going to be up to the level of foreign makes because our cars share too many platforms and have too many divisions. Year after year, we see more and more marques going after the Camry and Accord. GM throws out their Malibu, Impala, Aura, G6, and LaCrosse. Why not invest that money into the Impala... make it sporty, luxurious, highly stylish, fun to drive, european in feel and flair, and save so much marketing and advertising.. Put that car head to head with the Camry and go from there. Redesign the Cobalt and take it to the next level with a hybrid option (a real hybrid, not one from Saturn)

Ford could do so much better if they lose Mercury and invest in FORD and LINCOLN now.

FoMoCo put's out all these cars to compete with the CamCord and their luxury counterparts ES/TSX TL respectively without much success. Why? Because Toyota is focused on Toyota, Lexus and Scion and making the best for each brand.

If Ford loses Mercury, then they can focus on Ford, Lincoln, and Mazda/Volvo more and put out some true competitors that will make us want to buy their cars.

jt716 - 4/13/2007 10:17:18 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

well actually the MKZ was got an award for having one of the best interiors and sound systems. Been in one the wood is actually good quality and so is the leather

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S4cabriofoxone - 4/14/2007 1:56:35 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Wrong... the MKZ has one of the cheapest entry-luxury interiors, if not THE cheapest. The only car that's comparable is (surprise, surprise, another Ford product) the pathetic Jag X-Type. Compare the MKZ's interior to that of the A4, IS, 3 Series, G35, C-Class and TL, and then talk to me... don't listen to what the "best interior" people say. They're wrong. Except for picking the S8, that was right. (-:

aeyjay - 4/14/2007 12:21:06 AM

-1 Boost

GM was smart to get rid of Oldsmobile, along with DaimlerChrysler getting rid of Plymouth. Now it's Fords turn to get rid of Mercury since Buick has left them in the dust. Lincoln will not be able to compete with Buick if we get the Park Avenue back, so why even bother with Mercury. It worked in the 50's as a brand but times have changed. The perception of them being a old persons car will probably never change. Cadillac has managed to change theirs recently, and still have some ways to go... whew, car chat is fun LOL

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S4cabriofoxone - 4/14/2007 1:58:20 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Lincoln is sad... they're so confused. What's their image? Bling (Navigator)? Exec (MKZ)? Re-badging machine (MKX)? Old people (Town Car)? I have no idea.

And then there's Cadillac. The difference between the two is astonishing, and shows how much more determined GM is than Ford to win back the American public.

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aeyjay - 4/14/2007 9:33:02 AM

0 Boost

Very true S4... FoMoCo is soooo confused. First we get the 500/Montego which were shown at a recent auto show as refreshed models and at the last minute, Ford pulls a fast one and trys to pull them off as the new Taurus/Sable.

At least they didn't make a Mercury version of the Expedition/Navigator for that would a Mercury Mystake LOL.

pacotacolol - 4/14/2007 9:34:44 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

nnnnnoyyyyyyyyy

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jt716 - 4/14/2007 9:35:53 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Actually S4 I agree with you with Lincoln and abt killing Mercury. The thing is that sometimes i wonder if they are actually killing off Mercury.But if they do kill off mercury they shld make ford have the something extra to offer the lets say chevy. These companies r too big they need to get smaller

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Caddyman07 - 4/15/2007 10:56:49 AM

+1 Boost

Mercury is what is holding Lincoln back in my opinion but then again, Lincoln doesnt have enough products to be a dealership on their own...

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ryaajus - 4/16/2007 10:33:25 AM

+1 Boost

I'm sorry guys. I hate so say it. This car is ugly. I hate the grill of all the new Lincolns and all the new Fords..yuck...I was a big Navigator fan until they redesigned (f'd it up).

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