Autoblog

Ford's Jim Farley hints at Lincoln sales rebound

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:58:00 EST

If you're a fan of Lincoln, get ready for "a really great story" come May 1. That's how Ford marketing boss Jim Farley, in a call with analysts, characterized the coming April sales report for the MKZ. At the moment, there are probably few things that the executive VP could want more than a happy ending for the ballyhooed sedan that has made people cry boo-hoo for the past six months.

The massive glass roof of the MKZ is trying to support a burden that would make Atlas tap out, and it hasn't shattered, but it has shown a few cracks. The car we called "a big step in the right direction," the embodiment of the reinvention of the brand and a test of Lincoln's commitment to a new rear-wheel drive offering was given an $8-million dollar Super Bowl ad spend earlier this year, then quality control issues during its assembly scuttled deliveries. Lincoln got over that and kept up the ad blitz, now it just wants the good work to take hold.

If Farley's not leading us on, April could be the month. He said the results (so far) show "the product is being very well-received," inventory is finally where it should be and the MKZ Hybrid is doing better than expected. It bears noting that Lincoln is offering some aggressive incentive programs at the moment, including 0.9-percent APR and $1,000 off for conquest buyers stepping out of competitors' vehicles.

Either way, the proof comes in less than a week, so stay tuned.

Ford's Jim Farley hints at Lincoln sales rebound originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Lincoln hires a Mad Man for new commercials

Jeff Glucker — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Lincoln, Celebrities, Luxury

Mad Men's John Slattery, Lincoln's new pitchman. Follow the jump to watch the new TV spot.

Lincoln wants everyone in TV land to know about its freshened model lineup. To grab their attention, they've gone with a heavy hitter from a pretty popular ad agency to shill the 2011 MKX: Roger Sterling, from Sterling Cooper Draper Price. OK, fine... not Roger Sterling, but John Slattery, the actor who portrays him on AMC's Mad Men.

Slattery will plug the new "Smarter than Luxury" campaign, which launches during coverage of the Ryder Cup golf tournament. The focus of the ads is to highlight the technology and craftsmanship that are put into each new Lincoln vehicle. The TV spots will be backed up by a full print campaign as well, highlighting the 2011 Lincoln MKX and the MKZ hybrid.

Mad Men is a huge hit, so it's a no-brainer for Lincoln to tap into that popularity. Mercedes-Benz has already signed Jon Hamm (a.k.a. Mad Men's Don Draper) as the new voice-man for its commercials. Hop the jump to see Slattery pitch the latest from Lincoln.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Video: Lincoln hires a Mad Man for new commercials

Video: Lincoln hires a Mad Man for new commercials originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid priced equal to V6 at $35,180

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Lincoln, Luxury

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Lincoln has dropped a bit of a surprise with the pricing of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid. Unlike most other hybrid vehicles, there will be no price premium compared to the cheapest conventional model. The MKZ hybrid, with its 2.5-liter four cylinder hybrid powertrain, will start at $35,180 including destination and delivery. That's the same price as the front-wheel drive 3.5-liter V6-powered model.

For those keeping track, that puts the price at about $350 under the base Lexus HS 250h, which would seem to be its main competitor. Further, its 41 miles per gallon in the city is 6 mpg better than the Lexus - which, of course, is supposed to be the whole point of a hybrid vehicle. Add in arguably more attractive styling and the new Lincoln hybrid may well find itself with quite a following in the marketplace. Check out all the details in the press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

[Source: Lincoln]

Continue reading 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid priced equal to V6 at $35,180

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid priced equal to V6 at $35,180 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid officially rated at 41 mpg city / 36 mpg hwy

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Lincoln, Luxury

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

In what should be a surprise to no one, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Gybrid has been officially certified by the EPA as the most fuel efficient luxury sedan in the U.S. market. Given that the MKZ is really little more than a very gussied up Ford Fusion Hybrid, including an identical powertrain, we fully expected the same 41 mile per gallon city and 36 mpg highway numbers for the Lincoln.

Those numbers put the MKZ well ahead of its closest competitor, the Lexus HS250h which is rated 35/34 mpg. Aside from some subtle badging, the MKZ Hybrid is indistinguishable from its conventional siblings. It does receive an enhanced version of the SmartGauge system in the Fusion that adds long-term fuel efficiency indicators to all of the other information available, however.

The MKZ Hybrid goes on sale in the Fall as Mercury Milan production winds down.

Gallery: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

[Source: Lincoln]

Continue reading 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid officially rated at 41 mpg city / 36 mpg hwy

2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid officially rated at 41 mpg city / 36 mpg hwy originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lincoln MKZ Hybrid gets updated SmartGauge with apple blossoms

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Lincoln, Luxury

When the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid goes on sale this fall, it will have an updated version of the SmartGauge that debuted last year on the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The basics of the SmartGauge remain the same, with a pair of 4.3-inch LCD displays flanking a central speedometer. The LCDs can display several layers of information to help coach the driver to be a more efficient motorist.

The most obvious change is the color palette for the LCD gauges. They have been changed from a predominantly blue color scheme to what Lincoln officials describes as a more upscale-looking green and gold. The leaves on the right of the display have been present since the introduction of system on the Fusion and provide a graphical representation of the driver's short-term average fuel economy. The more thrifty your driving style, the more leaves you get. Behave like a lead-foot and they dissolve.

The SmartGauge in the 2011 MKZ Hybrid will also add some new flora to the mix in the form of a long-term fuel efficiency indicator. The indicator takes the form of apple blossom flowers (the state flower of Michigan) that appear amidst your tangle of digital leafs. If your average fuel economy is sufficient (Ford won't say what number you actually need), the first flowers will begin to appear after 4-6 weeks of driving. They first appear as buds and then grow into small and finally large flowers. More flowers appear over time, but the more you get, the more time it will take to earn more. If you earn all of the flowers, then you'll have saved about $8,000 in fuel costs and 30 tons of CO2 over the life of the car.

Aside from adding a whole new element to the game of achieving high MPG that we all play when behind the wheel of a hybrid, Ford's new long-term flower indicator also may serve a second, more practical purpose. If you decide to sell your MKZ Hybrid a few years down the road, a full bouquet of flowers in the SmartGauge proves you were a slow, careful driver and may fetch you a higher price on the used car market.

Gallery: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

[Source: Ford]

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid gets updated SmartGauge with apple blossoms originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2010: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is exactly what we expected

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Ford, Lincoln, Luxury

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has reminded us over and over again about its plans to offer a full line of electified vehicles in the United States. The Escape and Mariner hybrids started this trend, the Fusion and Milan hybrids are garnering lots of praise, and with new products like the Transit Connect Electric and Focus Electric hitting the streets in the not-too-distant future, the automaker appears to be fulfilling its goals. The newest addition to the electrified lineup is this 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, which builds upon the success of its Fusion and Milan sister hybrids.

With fuel economy ratings of 41 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway, the MKZ Hybrid will lay claim to the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America, besting its nearest competitor,the Lexus HS250h,by six MPGs. Ford has also assured us that the MKZ will be priced below the Lexus, making it a more affordable alternative for shoppers. Aside from the addition of the four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, not much changes from the standard MKZ and Ford is hoping that this vehicle will bring more buyers into Lincoln showrooms when the car hits dealerships this fall. Check out our galleries below to see both live and stock shots of the MKZ Hybrid.

Gallery: New York 2010: Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

Gallery: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

Continue reading New York 2010: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is exactly what we expected

New York 2010: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is exactly what we expected originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid boasts luxury plus efficiency, but is it enough?

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Ford, Lincoln, Luxury

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this week we reported that Ford had plans to repurpose its very well-received hybrid powertrain in the Lincoln MKZ. Makes sense, right? Both the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan (sister cars of the MKZ) benefit from the fuel-sipping mill, and by adding a bit of electric power to the Lincoln lineup, Ford is hoping to attract more buyers into its luxury division's showrooms. What's more, since Lincoln vehicles carry higher price points than comparable Ford or Mercury products, the return on this hybrid investment means a larger profit margin for the automaker as a whole.

Well, now it's official. For the 2011 model year, the Lincoln MKZ will offer the award-winning 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline/electric powertrain from the Fusion and Milan hybrids, good for up to 41 miles per gallon in the city. In doing this, Lincoln aims to compete directly with the recently introduced Lexus HS250h, and since the MKZ will net six more MPGs than the HS, it can safely take the title of most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America. What's more, the MKZ is slightly larger than the Lexus, and if Ford plays its cards right, we wouldn't be surprised if the MKZ Hybrid is less expensive than the HS, as well.

Aside from the powertrain, the new hybrid doesn't differ too much from the rest of the MKZ range. Plenty of standard amenities are on tap, such as the cool-looking SmartGauge with EcoGuide, a reverse sensing system, heated and cooled front seats, Ford's MyKey system and - of course - SYNC.

But the big question surrounding the MKZ Hybrid isn't how well it will perform against the Lexus, but if it will carry enough extra kit to significantly differentiate it from a Fusion or Milan with the same powertrain. Consumers who are only looking for efficiency might be willing to sacrifice certain luxury amenities to save money, and this dilemma has always affected MKZ sales. Still, luxury-minted customers would be wise to look at this as an alternative option to the HS250h, and we'll keep a close eye on sales numbers when the MKZ Hybrid goes on sale later this year. For now, hit the jump to read the full details in the press release, and click through our gallery below to see the electrified MKZ for yourself.

Gallery: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

[Source: Lincoln]

Continue reading 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid boasts luxury plus efficiency, but is it enough?

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid boasts luxury plus efficiency, but is it enough? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lincoln MKZ Hybrid will debut in New York

Chris Shunk — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:21:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Ford, Lincoln

When we take a hard look at the current Lincoln lineup, we see some issues. For starters, the Navigator, MKS, MKT, MKX and MKZ aren't exactly setting the sales charts on fire. Come to think of it, we just listed the entire Lincoln lineup. Okay, so Ford's luxury marquee can easily be likened to a well-heeled slice of Swiss cheese, but we have proof that The Blue Oval is trying to breath new life into the brand. We loved the MKT, the 2011 MKX looks extremely promising and it looks like the four-pointed star is getting into the hybrid business as well.

The Detroit News reports that Lincoln will debut a hybrid MKZ this week at the New York Auto Show. The MKZ will likely share the same powertrain as the Ford Fusion Hybrid; a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle mill mated to an eCVT transmission, along with an electric motor drawing power from a 275-volt nickel metal hydride battery pack. The MKZ hybrid will be the first battery-assisted model in the Lincoln lineup, giving Ford a luxury hybrid competitor to the Lexus HS 250h.

And if the MKZ does in fact carry the same powertrain as its more pedestrian sibling in the Ford dealership, the Lincoln should have more than competitive fuel economy. The HS 250h is rated at 35 miles per gallon city and 34 miles per gallon highway, while the Fusion Hybrid manages a 41/36 mix. The MKZ is a big bigger, too, and price should be comparable. Also helping the MKZ's case for life is the fact that Lincolns carry higher MSRPs than the typical Ford or Mercury, giving The Blue Oval a theoretically bigger margin with which to make a profit.

The down side to the MKZ hybrid is the fact that Ford is pretty well restricted on how many hybrids it can produce. Unless Ford has struck a deal to increase its hybrid powertrain output, the MKZ will simply shift the allocation of hybrids in the Ford family instead of adding to the overall totals. We're also very interested to see if Ford strives to differentiate the MKZ from its more pedestrian siblings to better-justify the undoubtedly higher price tag that comes with the Lincoln badge. We'll be staked out at the New York auto show for the chance to know for sure.

[Source: The Detroit News via The Truth About Cars]

Report: Lincoln MKZ Hybrid will debut in New York originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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