Ford adds Lincoln MKZ inspectors to speed launch

[nruggiero]

Ford adds Lincoln MKZ inspectors to speed launch
Automotive News
February 1, 2013
by Bradford Wernle

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co., seeking to speed deliveries of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ to dealers, is shipping some of the sedans to Michigan for quality inspections that can't be handled fast enough at the car's Mexican assembly plant.

Ford has added inspectors at its Flat Rock, Mich., plant in recent weeks to check MKZs sent from the car's factory 2,000 miles away in Hermosillo, Mexico, said Kevin Cour, Lincoln sales and service manager.

Dealers had expected to see the MKZ in December, but they say Lincoln has moved the date back several times. Most dealers still do not have any MKZs.

Lincoln is running two 30-second ad spots for the car during Sunday's Super Bowl, part of an effort to promote the sedan as the first of a new generation of Lincolns that will invigorate the brand. Lincoln's U.S. sales fell 18 percent in January after dropping 4 percent last year.

"We are 100 percent committed to the highest level of quality," Cour said in an interview today. "The final quality-inspection process was put in place to ensure we delivered on that mission."

He declined to say what has delayed the production launch. "We have not had any substantial quality issues. We are absolutely laser-focused on getting the fit and finish right," Cour said.

Lincoln had planned to do all the inspections in Hermosillo. But the decision was made in mid-January to have Flat Rock handle some of the work to keep up with volumes, Cour said.

Full article at link.

[nruggiero]

I still strongly believe that Lincoln needs its own plant.

[falcon lover]

I still strongly believe that Lincoln needs its own plant.

I agree with This. Now,the MK Z is a Fusión with a diferent body. No moré that that.

[sfbreh]

I still strongly believe that Lincoln needs its own plant.

I'm not a xenophobe, but it needs an American plant. That's hard to justify, though, when you can build the meager amount of Lincolns that they do build on the same lines as high volume Fords.

[2b2]

^well.................
for a while I was ranting for the MKZ to come to FlatRock without the Fusion or only the hybrid Fusions
(then having the Mustang half also build the LincStang...)
but

I still strongly believe that Lincoln needs its own plant.

even if I translate this to my (RETURN of) Mercury manifesto, which would be easier since it builds on the 'Small Merc Theorem' - almost everything smaller than the Fusion/MKZ;
it just doesn't seem important enough to me

I agree with This. Now,the MK Z is a Fusión with a diferent body. No moré that that.

and suspension
and engine
and panoroof option
and.....
iirc Andrew did a great comparo of features a few years back

[Andrew L]

I still strongly believe that Lincoln needs its own plant.

YES x5000000

[Andrew L]

and suspension
and engine
and panoroof option
and.....
iirc Andrew did a great comparo of features a few years back

MKZ:
Wheelbase 112.1 in (2,847 mm)
Length 194.1 in (4,930 mm)
Width 73.4 in (1,864 mm)
Height 58.2 in (1,478 mm)

Fusion:
Wheelbase 112.2 in (2,850 mm)
Length 191.7 in (4,869 mm)
Width 72.9 in (1,852 mm)
Height 58.1 in (1,476 mm)

[djhogie]

I know it would have taken a lot of money, But if Ford would have tried to build a RWD Lincoln, It would receive a lot more attention and possible buyers. That's my two cents.

[Mercury & Buick Fan]

I know it would have taken a lot of money, But if Ford would have tried to build a RWD Lincoln, It would receive a lot more attention and possible buyers. That's my two cents.

I agree.

What I would love to see is for Lincoln to start using real model names again and in my opinion they should start when the MKS gets a redesign it should become the Continental. Front or rear wheel drive I don't care.

[germeezy1]

At this point it makes business sense for Lincoln to utilize the Hermosillo plant but I hope that as volume increases that Ford will grant Lincoln a US plant to call home. I wonder if Ford still owns the land where the Lincoln plant in Detroit once stood that they razed circa 2003?