by Automotive News
With the death of Mercury, Ford Motor Co. will funnel more dollars into Lincoln.
For example, planners are looking to add a compact, front-drive car or crossover. There also is talk that a car based on the next-generation Ford Mondeo could be added to the lineup.
For Lincoln to succeed, analysts say, it’s critical that product planners separate Lincoln’s design, power trains, and technology from those of the Ford brand. Lincoln will get features such as active noise cancellation and adaptive suspensions.
Here’s Lincoln’s outlook for the 2011-13 model years.
Compact vehicle: Ford product czar Derrick Kuzak promises a compact front-wheel-drive vehicle but is vague on whether it’s a compact car or crossover. Those familiar with Ford’s plans say it could be a crossover based on the next-generation Kuga crossover from Europe. The automaker is also exploring a compact car. Both the car and crossover would be based on the next-generation global Ford Focus platform.
In January 2009, Ford showed the Lincoln C concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The concept, based on a wide version of the next-generation Focus platform, shows the possible styling direction for a compact Lincoln.
The redesigned Focus is due in early 2011. A Lincoln version could come by the 2013 model year or sooner.
Continue reading ‘Lincoln lineup to expand, create identity apart from Ford brand’
