Could the
Lincoln Zephyr, soon to be known as the MKZ, be bringing the average age of Lincoln drivers down a notch or two?
Automotive News reports that while the average age of a Lincoln owner is 60 (and the Town Car's drivers are 70
), the Zephyr's average buyer during the first three weeks of March was 56.
Arguably even more important is the fact that 40 percent of new Zephyr buyers are trading in cars other than Fords, Mercurys or Lincolns (better known in the auto industry as "conquest sales"). Automotive News identifies the Honda Accord, Acura TL, BMW 3 Series, Buick Lucerne, Toyota Avalon and Infiniti G35 as the cars buyers are passing over for the Zephyr.
Sales are coming at a price, however -- the average incentives package for the vehicle in February was $4,293, compared to an average of about $1,700 in the segment.
[Source: Automotive News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tim UF @ Apr 20th 2006 12:37PM
if not for the big honkin rear light assemblies, itd be a good looking car...
Udayan Tripathi @ Apr 20th 2006 12:39PM
I like the look of this car but there are so many alternatives (many from Ford itself!!) that can be seen as more compelling purchases. Still, can't see anything beating the 3 series, it outsells Ford's $10,000 cheaper Mondeo here in the UK.
doug @ Apr 20th 2006 12:42PM
Taking the average age down from 60 to 56 isn't so great. I'll bet that those conquest sales owned an American car before they came back to licoln. Probably didn't like the hard ride or something. The amount of the incentive is huge for such a new car. I think it shows that the car is overpriced, and should be in the $26,000 - $30,000 range instead of 30-35, especially considering the minimal differences between it and the Fusion. Maybe with standard AWD for the same prices it would sell at sticker.
Oh and the Lucerne still out sells it....and it starts at $27,000. hmmmmm
Michael Karesh @ Apr 20th 2006 12:42PM
Where do these average incentives come from? The rebates aren't very large. Are dealers getting huge bonuses for moving these?
The average age would be even lower if the IP didn't look so similar to that in the Town Car. I know, Lincoln brand character, but there must be some way to combine this character with a less imposing IP.
My review of the Zephyr: http://www.epinions.com/content_208166555268
I look forward to driving it again with the new V6.
Chris @ Apr 20th 2006 12:47PM
It's a good looking car, nothing revolutionary for it's class. However, I must say that this car is far better looking inside and out than a Cadillac CTS. I do care for the exterior and I hate the Tupperware interior of that car. The CTS interior, with all those angles and cheap plastic looks like it came from an Aztek, not a Cadillac.
Howard Kerr @ Apr 20th 2006 12:50PM
Sales would most likely be even higher if Ford had introduced this car with it's soon to be available 3.5 V6. As a fan of Ford, I'm glad people are buying this car...I just think it's too bad that the interior is it's biggest (only?) selling point over a similar Fusion/Milan.
J @ Apr 20th 2006 12:58PM
Since this car will be called the MKZ next year, doesn't that mean that any of the surviving cars still with the Zephyr name will become unbelievably rare over time? think of how much money some crazy car collector would pay for a pre-MKZ car! I know this is a logical stretch, but buy one before its too late.
CJ @ Apr 20th 2006 1:03PM
I agree Tim UF. That's exactly what I thought. The front is gorgeous, then you walk around back and it's just not quite right. Lincoln needs to get off the huge taillight thing (as seen on their larger trucks too), they look slapped on, not integrated IMHO.
Jason @ Apr 20th 2006 1:08PM
Anyone who seriously passes over a 3-series or a G35 for one of these (incentive or other money issues aside) must have a bag of sand for a brain.
Steve B. @ Apr 20th 2006 1:11PM
I can't help but wonder if this will always be "That car that used to be called the Zephyr, along with "The SUV that used to be the Aviator."
Much like the Acura RL is the "New Legend." and the RSX is the "New Integra"
Steve B. @ Apr 20th 2006 1:12PM
I can't help but wonder if this will always be "That car that used to be called the Zephyr, along with "The SUV that used to be the Aviator."
Much like the Acura RL is the "New Legend." and the RSX is the "New Integra"
s @ Apr 20th 2006 1:28PM
I think the article is a lie.
People are not passing up a BMW 3 series, Acura TL, etc. for a Lincoln Zephyer.
Puff Chippy @ Apr 20th 2006 1:30PM
Progress is progress. Americans will buy American if given the right chance.
mickster @ Apr 20th 2006 1:33PM
My 76 year old dad ended his Infiniti G35 Sedan lease and took advantage of the Zephyr lease. He loves the car. I think it's actually quite nice. Great interior, but I agree about the lights. I guess he's half the equation of the Infinitis but he does bring up the average age on all counts. My mom is 65 so she doesn't help the equation much either.
I would consider the MKZ when it debuts with the new Ford V6 and 6 Speed Automatic.
Philbert @ Apr 20th 2006 1:38PM
I don't know, I traded my 528i for a new Charger and find the Charger a much better car for the money. The new Zephyr is an impressive drive too so I wouldn't be surprised if people see it as a better bargain than some other imported cars.
Brian @ Apr 20th 2006 2:05PM
It seems that FoMoCo put huge tail lights on these cars to mask the huge expanse between the bumper and the top of the trunk. Other makes do this by putting a thin horizontal line across the whole thing and putting the license plate on the trunk lid instead of the bumper. Look at the Audi A6 and the new Volvo S80. I wish Lincoln would have used this design cue instead of huge tail lights. Make it a thin strip that is either chrome or a brushed metal look (match it to the finish of the front grille) and it would be fantastic.
Oh, and this car needs proper rear headrests. Why doesn't it have them?
Fabulo @ Apr 20th 2006 2:33PM
Average does not mean much, especially without stating the variance. I'd rather see the median age though.
Ford baffles me though. The LS is a fine car. It would not need much updating to make it great. Oh wait. They killed it. Idiots.
Jellodyne @ Apr 20th 2006 2:39PM
#10, every time you purchase a car, you are passing over every other car on the market. Including Honda Accord, Acura TL, BMW 3 Series, Buick Lucerne, Toyota Avalon and Infiniti G35.
From the Autoblog story: "Automotive News identifies the Honda Accord, Acura TL, BMW 3 Series, Buick Lucerne, Toyota Avalon and Infiniti G35 as the cars buyers are passing over for the Zephyr."
From the linked Automotive news article: "The auto Web site Edmunds.com says the Zephyr attracts consumers who also are interested in cars such as the Accord, Acura TL, BMW 3 Series, Buick Lucerne, Toyota Avalon and Infiniti G35."
Clearly the one quote is based on the other, only like a bad game of telephone where what goes in one end is completely different from what comes out the other.
iQuack @ Apr 20th 2006 3:48PM
The Lincoln Zephyr, a name that's ideal instead of the mega-stupid MKZ or whatever, is an over-improved Fusion. There's nothing wrong with that, but the best alternative would be the less expensive and more authentic Mazda 6.
And speaking of authentic, here's a REAL Lincoln Zephyr:
http://www.bellesdantan.com/Lincoln/Images/Zephyr-1.jpg
The Driver @ Apr 20th 2006 3:50PM
Yeah im in the age range where i am considered a young potential customer that these days so many companies are fighting for. Although imports cover a large share of the market, i believe that this will change. I like his cars looks and the fact that its a lincoln. So if theyre winning me over, you never know, this car could become popular..