MkZ tested by Car and Driver

[Logans Run]

Then maybe Ford would get a decent RWD Thunderbird in sedan and coupe version.

[2b2]

Then maybe Ford would get a decent RWD Thunderbird in sedan and coupe version.

for me that's like a Part Deux of my belief that the last Tbird shoulda been a Lincoln "roadster" possibly ALONGSIDE the LS.

Could a new Tbird bring in revenues AS high AS a "Lincoln CLS" (+ new 'Mark'?) let alone HIGHER???
&
IF they did Both Brands, wouldn't that DE-VALUE the Lincoln to the point that it'd be a non-event???
(AND just another "gussied-up" Ford?)

sorta^ like GM's fixation on giving Chevy whatever it wants and thereby ruining (or at least handicapping) Cadillac/Buick?

[germeezy1]

I'm actually pissed that ANY Nameplate got discontinued by FoMoCo or GM.

Remember when a Brand had basically ONE CAR? THE Ford, THE Chevy, THE Mercury, etc...

Imho there's no reason a touch of that couldn't have been recreated. Esp for GM's mid-Brands! Or as I ranted back before their bankruptcy; they could have used Buick & Pontiac & Saturn as trims of the same lineup: Lux-, Sport-, Base-Premium.

Merc is a different story imho - I firmly believe there's a faction within FoMoCo that's wanted it gone since they finagled the withdrawal from Canada.
I sincerely hope most are DEAD by now and the rest will follow quickly.

re: Mr. Mulally; imho his fixation with a single Brand just shows he didn't know the auto business - these aren't airplanes - INDIVIDUAL people buy them, not companies - Nameplates have EMOTIONAL TIES & WEIGHT.
however
I don't believe Mr. M. will go back on his (assumed) word about Lincoln. Don't think he'd have let it continue at all if it was to be given such weak support as one model having to "do well" or ELSE. Just don't see him as wishy-washy or placating. If he really wanted to pull the plug, it would've happened years ago.
So at least, Lincoln will be kept around as a hobby(/hobbled)** until a new CEO who *gets it* replaces him -- about when I expect Mercury to Return.

I highly recommend the book "An American Icon" by Bryce Hoffman for a perspective on what went on during Mulally's first few years with FoMoCo (or FoMoCo's first few years with Mulally).


** imho Lincoln costs NOTHING in corporate-size budget terms &or breaks even AND it still has the positive balance of having prevented H U G E lawsuits over closing all of Lincoln-Mercury...
...PLUS the bad publicity.


re: Lincoln prices [broken record]
imho they ought to top out at $99,999 for fully loaded top models (Continental & Navigator) ASAP and for the near future - barring runaway inflation.
Actually/imho Lincoln's prices might not have even kept up with "internal inflation" since...oh...2005... Look at Ford prices!!

I never thought of it this way until Angus Mckenzie wrote an article about the flaws of the One Ford philosophy. Ford is far behind in the Chinese market, and perhaps I can't help but think that Lincoln's Renaissance could be financed through China's luxury market.

[joseodiaga4]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...kz_first_test/ check this, Motor trend have a different idea about the car

[2b2]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...kz_first_test/ check this, Motor trend have a different idea about the car

THANKS for that link, Jose
imho there's a LOT worth quoting
but
the main thing I read is
the new Z
- can be looked at as a sportscar Lexus ES
- NEEDS to be compared with the Audi A6

I never thought of it this way until Angus Mckenzie wrote an article about the flaws of the One Ford philosophy. Ford is far behind in the Chinese market, and perhaps I can't help but think that Lincoln's Renaissance could be financed through China's luxury market.

THANKS for recalling Angus Mckenzie's One Ford article LINK (pretty sure it's posted here in some thread)&(you ARE referring mainly to my Mulally comments?)
but
looking at it now, I see a basic flaw in the writer's logic

"...One Ford sounded like a great idea .. Taking Ford back to basics — back to the business of building respectable, middle-of-the-road cars and trucks that offer solid performance and features and efficiency at reasonable prices.."

FoMoCo & Mulally have always (afaik) used the phrase "class leading" not "middle-of-the-road"
& that makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE imho

[joseodiaga4]

http://blogs.automotive.com/lincoln-...#axzz2Eh4dmWWC
in this article Van Dyke says that they are going after Audi, Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, I don´t know why in autoblog they mention that the mkz is going to compete with 5 series, cts and others

[2b2]

http://blogs.automotive.com/lincoln-...#axzz2Eh4dmWWC
in this article Van Dyke says that they are going after Audi, Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, I don´t know why in "some blog about autos" they mention that the mkz is going to compete with 5 series, cts and others

imho Lincoln's path is different from any other Brand
& few people can wrap their minds around that.

from this article,
Target
Lexus, Audi, Acura, Volvo, Infiniti (my order)

Strategy
...24/7 Concierge Service, a program that lets you connect online with a personal concierge that stays with you throughout the ownership process.
(imho: no 100% chance. some Lincoln owners will keep their cars far longer than most employment terms, FOR SURE)
+
can't help but wonder HOW LONG all these "fripperies" like 'DateNight' will continue to be offered?
- until FLincMoCo gets bored with them?
- until the current 'geniuses' leave the company?
- until FLincMoCo doesn't think they're needed?
- until they can't afford them anymore?
or until they think all of us have forgotten and won't rant about it

[LincolnFanFl]

I don´t know why in autoblog they mention that the mkz is going to compete with 5 series, cts and others

Simple. They needn't competition in an upper class to justify their biased bashing.

[LincolnFanFl]

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...kz_first_test/ check this, Motor trend have a different idea about the car

Yeah, right:

"Aside from Lincoln Drive Select, there are only two options on the MKZ that aren’t available on the Fusion Titanium"

This is false - plain and simple.

Anyway, comparing it to a Fusion is simply as stupid as it gets. If you want certain features/performance, you need to pay more. If you can live without it, you get the cheaper car. It has ALWAYS been like that...

[germeezy1]

Unfortunately Lincoln has a long uphill road ahead of it, and although I was impressed by the Pilot Super Sport tire fitment and .91G skidpad rating in a recent test those qualities alone are not compelling reasons to purchase a Lincoln.