Lincoln Mark LT signing out after 3 years?
Things aren't looking good for the Lincoln Mark LT. Latest reports say the luxo-pickup won't be around beyond the 2008 model-year, which means the vehicle won't even have been on sale for a full three years. Several dealers as well as supplier and industry sources say Ford will be dropping the Mark LT after next year because sales simply aren't high enough.
Total sales for the pickup last year amounted to 12,753 units, well short of the 20,000 units that execs had targeted. Though numbers haven't been released, sales for this year are expected to be even worse due to falling demand for fuel-hungry SUVs and trucks.
There's another reason for Ford to put the Mark LT out to pasture. The pickup is based on the top-selling Ford F-150 and is produced at the same plant. The F-150, meanwhile, is getting a restyle and engineering upgrade for the 2009 model year and the introduction of a high-end 'Platinum' version means Ford could use the extra capacity left behind by the ousted Mark LT.
[Source: Automotive News - Subs. Req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Andrew 11:54PM (10/07/2008)
I own a 08 Lincoln Mark LT. I love the truck the seats are awesome the ride is second to none. The LT is a real truck after all it is an F150. FYI the F150 only had 6.5K in rebates and the LT had 15.5K in rebates. Why wouldn't you want the extra creature comforts of the Lincoln. I get lots of thumbs up from other F150 owners. Its almost a shame to use it as a work truck and crap it up. I have had some unresolved service issues. Transmission failure at 120 miles and again at under 300 miles. High speed shake and a seat rattle. I have 800 miles on the truck and its back to the dealer for repairs. Out of the last 30 days I have owned the truck its been in the shop 10 days. I think we have it fixed at last. Yes I am more patient than most as I really like the truck and I have a bunch of other vehicles to drive. I think the dealerships are short sighted as I am the CEO of a Company that buys fleets of vehicles and at 40 customers like me are the future of Lincoln. The Lincoln is far and above better than the Caddy. The Caddy is a P/U for the casual user but not the hard core P/U user. The Lincoln is for the gentleman farmer or the upscale contractor that needs a real p/u but wants and has earned some creature comforts.
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paul34 2:03PM (9/03/2007)
It's not "based" on a F-150... rather, it *IS* a F-150 with a new, uglier grill.
This vehicle never made any sense and continues to not make any sense. I'm not sure if they eventually envisioned it competing with the Escalade EXT... which is still a mystery to me, but apparently people buy the EXT. I guess just make whatever sells, eh?
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Larry 6:50PM (9/03/2007)
It isn't an F-150 with an uglier grille! It's an F-150 IN DRAG!
SPG 2:11PM (9/03/2007)
Finally! This truck had half the personality of the much more interesting and failed Blackwood.
I could not figure out why people bought this thing.
Spend the markup customizing an F-150 to make it the truck that you've always wanted.
Unless that's an LT. Then better hit the used lots I guess.
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iQuack 2:17PM (9/03/2007)
Oh, NO!
I can't stand it!
It'll be a terrible world without a Lincoln truck.
What will we do? What WILL we do??
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John 8:02PM (9/13/2007)
So stupid!
jg 2:36PM (9/03/2007)
'luxo-pickup'? I'm not surprised they're canceling it I'm surprised it was ever made. A luxury pickup truck is the height of pretentiousness.
Pickup are for work and for driving around with your cute pony-tailed girlfriend who sits in the middle of the bench, not on the end, even when there is no one else in the truck.
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Don 2:39PM (9/03/2007)
I'm sorry...but WHO's going to buy one of these things?
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Guenther 10:59AM (9/04/2007)
Before you judge- The LT was only a few dollars more than a loaded F150. Ad to that premium loaner service when you leave it at the dealer. Its also no dumber than a Caddilanche. Personally, I think carpet in a Pick-up is stupid, but thats only MY opinion.
Don 1:40PM (9/04/2007)
Well said. I'm just ambivalent towards the idea of "luxury pickups".
Bigbuck16 3:13PM (9/03/2007)
Damn as soon as the 400Hp 6.2 liter comes out in 09 they kill the LT.At least its selling better than the EXT now so whats the problem.
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Sam 3:23PM (9/03/2007)
Why won't they learn after the Blackwood? It comes to show that Ford's execs are so far up their asses that they can't even see the obvious. If they're going to sell the same car for a lot more $, at least dress it up appropriately.
That One Person 4:31PM (9/03/2007)
Sam...more like goes to show how much of a dumbass Bill Ford was. If anything, Mullaly is doing a BETTER job by just killing this thing off. If Ford had been smart and put some differentiation in the truck, then I could see why this thing existed. The best part of the truck was the leather.
And while I may get crucified for this but am I the only one who appreciated the light refresh? Getting rid of those slabs of chrome on the sides made somewhat of a difference. But not much.
Bill was a moron and still is a moron.
Oh and RC...yes, Lincoln is supposed to get it's own version of the Flex. But I have a feeling Ford will use the 3.7L from the MKS. I bet for will do a better job on differentiating those two than they did on the MKX (which I do like) and the Edge.
Azrael4h 3:33PM (9/03/2007)
I had forgotten completely about this thing. It may have sold slightly better if it had advertising funds allocated to it greater than $0.00.
Of course, being a F150 with an uglier grill doesn't help it when dealing with the lack of advertising and support from FoMoCo. I doubt it'll break 50,000 units over its entire run.
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1337 3:42PM (9/03/2007)
I expect the "F-150 Platinum" will be the Mark LT, complete with the Lincoln grille and Lincoln pricing, but with Ford badging. Of course, the Mark LT is an F-150 Lariat with a Lincoln grille, Lincoln badging, and Lincoln pricing. Ford might as well sell the Lincoln badge as a "dealer-installed accessory."
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John 5:36PM (9/09/2007)
I think that is not bad, only, that it looks much like a F-150. And the persons prefer to buy a F-150.
They have should to have designed it differently.
Nick 3:48PM (9/03/2007)
This is the kind of crap that cries for a gas tax, and a truck tax. There are probably 100 people in each city who really need any F-150, much less this piece of junk. Hit those truck owners where it hurts, right in their pocket book!
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Tagg 4:42PM (9/03/2007)
Why tax it? The truck doesn't sell so there would be no benefit to doing that. Besides, it woud just be more money for the government to piss away. Let the consumers tastes dictate the market, like it has with this and not the government.
mattydread 3:56PM (9/03/2007)
Until I read the comments here, I thought this was the Lincoln Blackwood. Azrael4h is right, Ford just never marketed this truck. Probably becuase they couldn't figure out who would buy this instead of just getting an F-150, and installing your own grill.
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Brad 4:12PM (9/03/2007)
I can't add much more to the comments that have already been said here. I've never understood the luxo-pickup market. I saw one of these things the other day and I wondered to myself how much longer they can justify making them.
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