Bespoke Program: The Beginning

[nruggiero]

umm...
wasn't Wixom a factory that BUILT Lincoln cars ...& co-platformed Fords ...ie Thunderbirds? not sure if even Mercurys were built there :blush:
&
is there such a thing as a 'coachbuilder' anymore?

Correct, majority of the vehicles built there were Lincolns and the other models were the Thunderbird and the Ford GT.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wixom_Assembly_Plant

Here's a modern day coachbuilder for example.

http://www.westcoastcustoms.com/

[Andrew L]

Correct, majority of the vehicles built there were Lincolns and the other models were the Thunderbird and the Ford GT.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wixom_Assembly_Plant

Here's a modern day coachbuilder for example.

http://www.westcoastcustoms.com/

and they are in the process of tearing it down if it isn't gone completely already which is a shame, so much history there

[LincolnFanFl]

IMO, they should launch this approach carefully but ASAP. I'm thinking of going BMW's American approach of their "individual" program.

By that, I mean offering a few "packages" (5 special leather colors, perhaps of a higher grade than the standard, 3 or 4 additional trims - like carbon, piano black lacquer and exotic woods and included with the package, an extension of leather surface to dashboard, upper doors etc.. And finally, and upgraded, suede headliner).

That would allow additional time for market research for more personalized/expensive options. After all, if customers wouldn't opt for a $2 or $3K upgrade, why would they spend $5K or more on a car in this pricerange (like, for example, the MKZ)?

[Andrew L]

IMO, they should launch this approach carefully but ASAP. I'm thinking of going BMW's American approach of their "individual" program.

By that, I mean offering a few "packages" (5 special leather colors, perhaps of a higher grade than the standard, 3 or 4 additional trims - like carbon, piano black lacquer and exotic woods and included with the package, an extension of leather surface to dashboard, upper doors etc.. And finally, and upgraded, suede headliner).

That would allow additional time for market research for more personalized/expensive options. After all, if customers wouldn't opt for a $2 or $3K upgrade, why would they spend $5K or more on a car in this pricerange (like, for example, the MKZ)?

I've been saying that for a while, I wish you could choose what style of wood you got with the interior color, I hate being forced to dark wood if I get a light interior or vice versa. BMW has this on their website if they can offer that why can't Lincoln?

[TurboS40]

Too bad Ghia in Italy does not do designs anymore. Can coachbuilder names from the 1030's be used? Brunn, Locke, Derham, Fleetwood (not sure if GM still owns the name) or Lehmann Peterson.

[2b2]

IMO, they should launch this approach carefully but ASAP. I'm thinking of going BMW's American approach of their "individual" program.

By that, I mean offering a few "packages" (5 special leather colors, perhaps of a higher grade than the standard, 3 or 4 additional trims - like carbon, piano black lacquer and exotic woods and included with the package, an extension of leather surface to dashboard, upper doors etc.. And finally, and upgraded, suede headliner).

That would allow additional time for market research for more personalized/expensive options. After all, if customers wouldn't opt for a $2 or $3K upgrade, why would they spend $5K or more on a car in this pricerange (like, for example, the MKZ)?

AGREE it should start practically immediately ... 2014my? ie THIS year?
tho imho there's nothing wrong with starting small - like just 1-2 special colors inside & out
+ my swappable interior trim
BUT
imho what's needed at least as much is re-doing the trim levels (ex: MKZ)
thinking 3 Max with the middle level having the most sub-choices more like I remember the original MKS trims
top = most-everything currently available with just the panoroof pkg & 1-2 options. Maaaaybe called [Black Label], NOT "Preferred" which sounds like a middle-at-best trim
middle = actually wondering if this could also be the basis for the Bespoke which would let the customer add features individually if they don't choose the Preferred-D,-L,-S,-T pkgs (Also wondering IF Bespoke started mid-level; if that would be the place to offer an 'extraSport' tune...can't say just "Sport" imho cuz that's already on every push-but-tranny).
base = "Premiere" for the most part plus incorporating much of/doing away with the "Select" level ... which would mean a price increase, Which imho is OK with the MKC coming as the new entry model.


My head 'swims' every time I look at the Z's trim levels and that is NOT a luxurious feeling.

[LincolnFanFl]

My head 'swims' every time I look at the Z's trim levels and that is NOT a luxurious feeling.

Welcome to the club!

What scares me the most is when I'm comparing my 2009 MKZ interior to the 2013 MKZ. Although the 2013 is far more elegant, futuristic and flowing, I can't say it looks richer or more expensive. The 2013 design is great - but to be honest, it's all just plastic. My 2009 at least has a massive wood-trim...

THIS is NOT impressive:

2013-lincoln-mkz-wallpape-cbcd4.jpg

THIS, however, would be. Check out how sharp the center console looks compared to the cheap plastic cover currently offered:

[Logans Run]

Thay need wider selection and customization options at the plant.
Also, Lincoln needs a variety of dealer install options to further make the car your own.

[2b2]

^ YES!
think the best way to improve much of the manufacturing hangups**
is to AVOID them as much as possible
&
what I said about starting small...
...As Long As they don't 'call' it "Bespoke" until they reach critical mass, imho just use "special editions" at first, then maybe "Custom""Packages" with an intermediate degree of individual feature-checkboxes?

** tho eventually they're gonna hafta bite the bullet
& [strike]bring the[/strike] INVENT a customer/mfg interface [strike]into[/strike] FOR the current century
(maybe using something with those new-fangled 'computers')

Welcome to the club!

uh gee thanks, LincolnFan

think I'm gonna have to 'explore' the way MBetc structure their features/options/pkgs/trims
yeah
that sounds like fun maybe I can just go to the dentist everyday instead
OR
maybe someone with firsthand Lux experience could help?

[LincolnFanFl]

maybe someone with firsthand Lux experience could help?

MB, in that regards, is quite disappointing, too.

I'd recommend configuring either a 5-series BMW (535, 550 or M5 since individual is not offered on entry 528) or a 7-series online. Just visit their website and you can see exactly what I have in mind.