Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Lincoln to adopt Mini-like personalization strategy?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/18/lincoln-to-adopt-mini-like-personalization-strategy/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/18/lincoln-to-adopt-mini-like-personalization-strategy/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/18/lincoln-to-adopt-mini-like-personalization-strategy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Lincoln MKC Concept interior

There's no single silver bullet that will cure all that ails the Lincoln brand, and Ford knows that just as surely as we do. Coming out with exciting new models like the well-received MKC crossover counts as several steps in the right direction, assuming of course that the production version is as appealing as the concept just shown at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, but more is needed. According to Jim Farley, executive vice president of Lincoln, one more trick may be "mass customization."

Put another way, Lincoln is considering ways to allow buyers to customize their new vehicles right off the showroom floor, similar to how things are done at Mini, and, to a lesser extent, Scion, where Farley previously served as corporate manager. Imagine, for instance, ordering a new MKC with a large Lincoln insignia embossed into the leather seatbacks, according to Automotive News.

While we're not so sure anybody is all that interested in paying extra for more Lincoln logos, it's a strategy that has proven rather fruitful at Mini. Only time will tell if Ford's erstwhile luxury division will once again be seen as something truly worth reaching for, and if customers are willing to pay a further premium for customization.

Lincoln to adopt Mini-like personalization strategy? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>customizationjim farleylincolnlincoln customizationmass customizationmkcFri, 18 Jan 2013 10:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20430777/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/18/lincoln-to-adopt-mini-like-personalization-strategy/20430777/article-detail.xml 20430777 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/lincolnmkcconcept25hr-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/lincolnmkcconcept25hr-opt.jpg <![CDATA[MKC Concept is the real fresh start for Lincoln [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/lincoln-mkc-concept-detroit-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/lincoln-mkc-concept-detroit-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/14/lincoln-mkc-concept-detroit-poll/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lincoln MKC Concept

We were admittedly bullish about the Lincoln MKC Concept when we introduced it to you yesterday, as we were taken aback by how cohesive the C-platform crossover is in the metal. As it turns out, so were you, dear reader. With hundreds of comments booked on our original Deep Dive story, the overwhelming temperature of the Autoblog Commenteriat is one of surprise and delight - quite an accomplishment for a marque that many had written off for dead. The reception here under the bright lights of the Detroit Auto Show appears to be no less positive, but we thought you might want a second, closer look afforded by these live photos.

Lincoln remains mum on production MKC drivetrain specifics (we're thinking it will start with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder out of its similarly sized Ford Escape relative, or maybe the midlevel 1.6-liter), but we shouldn't have to wait too long. The showcar is expected to closely mirror the production model (due as early as later this year), so much so that Ford global marketing boss Jim Farley explicitly told the press conference masses, "When you see the MKC, do not think concept." That's good news, as the MKC is pivotal to Lincoln's effort to rebuild awareness and consideration on the back of its MKZ sedan, a model just now going on sale. In fact, with the small crossover segment exploding, the MKC could very well turn out to be more important to the brand than the MKZ.

After seeing these new photos, are you more or less enamored with Lincoln's new concept? Leave a comment after voting in our poll below.

View Poll

Continue reading MKC Concept is the real fresh start for Lincoln [w/poll]

MKC Concept is the real fresh start for Lincoln [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 detroit auto showdetroitdetroit 2013lincolnlincoln mkc conceptmkcMon, 14 Jan 2013 10:39:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20427895/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/14/lincoln-mkc-concept-detroit-poll/20427895/article-detail.xml 20427895 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/lincoln-mkc-concept-detroit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/lincoln-mkc-concept-detroit.jpg <![CDATA[Lincoln MKC Concept shows real promise [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/13/lincoln-mkc-concept-shows-real-promise/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/13/lincoln-mkc-concept-shows-real-promise/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/13/lincoln-mkc-concept-shows-real-promise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lincoln MKC Concept - front three-quarter view

Ford's efforts to resuscitate its moribund Lincoln luxury brand began in earnest with the introduction of its 2014 MKZ sedan, a model many labeled as the marque's make-or-break offering. Of course, one model does not a comeback make, and with the MKZ just now starting to trickle into dealers, it will be some time before America's jury of consumers comes in with their judgment. More to the point, it's likely to take better than a decade's worth of products and sustained marketing effort to even begin to figure out whether Lincoln has a shot at redemption or if it will die of Mercury poisoning. After all, rival General Motors has been pouring resources into Cadillac since the late '90s, and if the sales charts are any guidance, it's still probably too early to declare its rebirth a success.

Lincoln MKC Concept - rear three-quarter viewCertainly, a brand with Ford's resources, free of distractions (read: the now-defunct Premier Auto Group and various other side projects) should be able to successfully market a single luxury brand, particularly one with such a rich - if distant - history. Especially now with the Blue Oval enjoying more consumer goodwill than at any time in recent history. So let's all give Alan Mulally and friends a little room to work, eh?

We can start by focusing on the compact crossover seen before you, the Lincoln MKC Concept. Riding atop the same global C-platform that underpins the Ford C-Max, Escape and Focus, the MKC showcar here presages a production small CUV that will stick its distinctive nose into one of the auto industry's fastest-growing segments.

Continue reading Lincoln MKC Concept shows real promise [w/video]

Lincoln MKC Concept shows real promise [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Jan 2013 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fresh off the launch of the stylish new MKZ sedan, the newly named Lincoln Motor Company is reportedly preparing for a lineup expansion. According to TheDetroitBureau.com, the first new product joining the Lincoln brand is a small crossover based on the Ford Escape said to be called the MKC. We saw this machine testing a few months ago, and while we were hoping the name might be reserved for a future two-door model or even the diminutive Concept C hatchback, it looks like the "C" will stand for compact crossover instead.

The report also says that this crossover will be making its debut next month at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, so we'll have to wait until then to see what the new model looks like. Unlike the MKX, which is based off the Ford Edge, we would expect there to be a lot more differentiation between the MKC and the Escape like Ford managed to do with the newest Fusion and MKZ.

In addition to the new MKC, the article states new MKS and Navigator designs are expected to debut by 2014.

Lincoln MKC crossover headed for Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 detroit auto show2014 lincoln mkccuvdetroitdetroit 2012escapelincolnlincoln crossoverlincoln motor companyluxury crossovermkcWed, 19 Dec 2012 17:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20406146/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/19/lincoln-mkc-crossover-headed-for-detroit/20406146/article-detail.xml 20406146 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/lincoln-mkd-1-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/lincoln-mkd-1-628.jpg <![CDATA[Lincoln to focus on volume models, not halo car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/15/lincoln-to-focus-on-volume-models-not-halo-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/15/lincoln-to-focus-on-volume-models-not-halo-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/15/lincoln-to-focus-on-volume-models-not-halo-car/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



There's profits in numbers.

That's going to be the approach to new vehicles at Lincoln, Automotive News says. Lincoln will focus on high-volume vehicles instead of low-selling flagships and halo vehicles. That means a steady diet of alphabet soup loaded with MKZ's, MKX's and MKS's for dealers and no more fancy flagships or other vehicles that don't meet the volume metric. We'd rule out high-performance sport cars as well, but Lincoln, by definition, rules that out.

Those big-ticket vehicles costs hundreds of millions of dollars to develop, and, while they may bolster a brand's reputation, they wouldn't help Lincoln's bottom line. So the next big Lincoln to arrive will be a compact car known as the MKC. Then we'll see redos of the MKX, MKT, MKS and Navigator.

Dumping high-level aspirations may reek of desperation, but for Lincoln, these are desperate times. Sales for the brand were down 11 percent in July and two percent for the year, according to Autodata Corp. The brand currently lacks prestige, style or even an unique platform.

In July, Lincoln sold 6,975 units, making it a distant last place out of mainstream luxury brands. Inifiniti had the next lowest total, selling 11,619 units.

Lincoln to focus on volume models, not halo car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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