Lincoln: MKX news **2016 Revealed (page 4)**
08-04-2003, 01:29 PM
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Lincoln: MKX news **2016 Revealed (page 4)**
By AMY WILSON | Automotive News
DETROIT -- Lincoln will drop the truck-based Aviator SUV as early as 2005, say two suppliers working on the program.
The Aviator, on the market for nine months, has sold poorly and has been viewed as a clone of the Ford Explorer.
The SUV will be replaced in the Lincoln lineup by a new sport wagon produced on the Mazda6 platform beginning in August 2006. The suppliers say production of the Aviator is scheduled to stop at the end of the 2005 model year.
But the exact timing of the Aviator's demise still is being determined, say supplier and company sources. The Aviator is assembled at Ford Motor Co.'s St. Louis assembly plant, which Ford has targeted to close by mid-decade. St. Louis also assembles the Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer.
Ford officials wouldn't comment on the Aviator's fate.
But a Ford source acknowledged that the existing truck-based SUV won't be needed after the new 2007 sport wagon debuts. That sport wagon, to be built in Oakville, Ontario, is designed to fight vehicles such as the Lexus RX 330 and Infiniti FX45.
While the Aviator looks much like the Explorer, the company invested heavily for new Aviator parts, such as a different instrument panel. About half of the Aviator's parts are new. So even though the company paid generously for new parts, a top Ford executive says, it still failed to differentiate the Aviator from the Explorer.
The Aviator's high price is a problem. The Navigator starts at $49,050; the Aviator starts at $39,995 but can reach more than $54,000.
In the first seven months of 2003, Lincoln sold 15,164 Aviators. It had planned full-year sales of up to 35,000 in 2003.
DETROIT -- Lincoln will drop the truck-based Aviator SUV as early as 2005, say two suppliers working on the program.
The Aviator, on the market for nine months, has sold poorly and has been viewed as a clone of the Ford Explorer.
The SUV will be replaced in the Lincoln lineup by a new sport wagon produced on the Mazda6 platform beginning in August 2006. The suppliers say production of the Aviator is scheduled to stop at the end of the 2005 model year.
But the exact timing of the Aviator's demise still is being determined, say supplier and company sources. The Aviator is assembled at Ford Motor Co.'s St. Louis assembly plant, which Ford has targeted to close by mid-decade. St. Louis also assembles the Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer.
Ford officials wouldn't comment on the Aviator's fate.
But a Ford source acknowledged that the existing truck-based SUV won't be needed after the new 2007 sport wagon debuts. That sport wagon, to be built in Oakville, Ontario, is designed to fight vehicles such as the Lexus RX 330 and Infiniti FX45.
While the Aviator looks much like the Explorer, the company invested heavily for new Aviator parts, such as a different instrument panel. About half of the Aviator's parts are new. So even though the company paid generously for new parts, a top Ford executive says, it still failed to differentiate the Aviator from the Explorer.
The Aviator's high price is a problem. The Navigator starts at $49,050; the Aviator starts at $39,995 but can reach more than $54,000.
In the first seven months of 2003, Lincoln sold 15,164 Aviators. It had planned full-year sales of up to 35,000 in 2003.
08-04-2003, 05:25 PM
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its funny how consumers can see the difference between an explorer and aviator but not between an expedition and navigator. the aviator is as nice of a step up as the navigator is.
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08-04-2003, 05:35 PM
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the aviator would have been more successful if the mountaineer didnt exist...lincoln would have sold more if it was introduced prior to the mercury just for the prestige factor....if there is and for that matter...IMO it still just a bloated SUV thats overpriced
08-04-2003, 09:00 PM
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I drove it at the Lexus SUV event (over 45 SUVS) and the inside was very nice but it drove like shit and looks like an Explorer. It is funny people buy Navigators but not this.
But it is HELLA overpriced.
But it is HELLA overpriced.
08-05-2003, 06:54 AM
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By the way, I looked at the depriciation of an Escalade as opposed that of a LIncoln Navigator and that of the Escalade was about $10K higher than that of the Nav.
08-06-2003, 12:42 AM
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Originally posted by Black CL-S 4-Life
Good... one less SUV model on the road.
Good... one less SUV model on the road.
I knew this wouldnt take off. I think I may have see ONE. Funny thing is this ownes a Blackwood too. Both discos now
08-06-2003, 07:59 AM
#16
Suzuka Master
My mother-in-law was going to get the Aviator to replace her 01 Navigator. She drove it and liked it but it did not have the power options like the Navigator did. She liked the fact that you could press a button to fold down the rear seats and close and open the tailgate. The Aviator did not have these options.
She decided on an 03 Silver Navigator loaded. I must say, it is the sickest SUV I have ever been in.
She decided on an 03 Silver Navigator loaded. I must say, it is the sickest SUV I have ever been in.
08-06-2003, 09:43 AM
#17
6 Forward 1 Back
Lincoln probably isn't sweating losing the Aviator. I read somewhere they make $15,000 profit on each Navigator. What a rip. . .
12-14-2004, 10:26 AM
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Ford to dump Aviator, Excursion; automaker to cease production after '05 model year - - By AMY WILSON | Automotive News - - Source: AUtoweek
DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. will kill two of its priciest SUVs after the 2005 model year.
Production of the Ford Excursion, the automaker's biggest SUV, is expected to end in September, according to an internal Ford document.
A supplier source also confirmed the vehicle will be dropped from the lineup next year.
Lincoln Aviator production will end in July, according to the Ford document. Lincoln will revive the nameplate with a car-based SUV in 2006.
The St. Louis assembly plant that produces the Aviator and its sister Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs is dropping one of its two shifts in January.
Ford officials refused to comment on the demise of the two vehicles.
But the end of the Excursion and Aviator is not surprising.
Ford once said it would drop the fuel-hungry Excursion, a frequent target of environmentalists, after the 2004 model year.
But Ford Division President Steve Lyons this year said that production would continue through at least the 2005 model year.
The decision to end Excursion production comes as Ford seeks production capacity for its F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickups, a Ford source says. Those pickups and the Excursion are assembled at the same plant in Louisville, Ky.
Also, Ford plans to introduce an extended version of its Expedition SUV during the 2007 model year.
Ford is scheduled to produce 15,277 Excursions in 2005, the internal document said.
Lincoln's Aviator nameplate will return. But Lincoln dealers face a year-long gap without a mid-sized SUV or crossover.
Ford will introduce a next-generation Aviator in fall 2006. It will be derived from a modified Mazda6 car platform. The vehicle is expected to be built at Ford's Oakville, Ontario, assembly plant.
The truck-based Aviator hasn't met sales targets since it was introduced in late 2002. The Ford document said the company plans to produce 12,582 Aviators in 2005.
Production of the Ford Excursion, the automaker's biggest SUV, is expected to end in September, according to an internal Ford document.
A supplier source also confirmed the vehicle will be dropped from the lineup next year.
Lincoln Aviator production will end in July, according to the Ford document. Lincoln will revive the nameplate with a car-based SUV in 2006.
The St. Louis assembly plant that produces the Aviator and its sister Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs is dropping one of its two shifts in January.
Ford officials refused to comment on the demise of the two vehicles.
But the end of the Excursion and Aviator is not surprising.
Ford once said it would drop the fuel-hungry Excursion, a frequent target of environmentalists, after the 2004 model year.
But Ford Division President Steve Lyons this year said that production would continue through at least the 2005 model year.
The decision to end Excursion production comes as Ford seeks production capacity for its F-250 and F-350 Super Duty pickups, a Ford source says. Those pickups and the Excursion are assembled at the same plant in Louisville, Ky.
Also, Ford plans to introduce an extended version of its Expedition SUV during the 2007 model year.
Ford is scheduled to produce 15,277 Excursions in 2005, the internal document said.
Lincoln's Aviator nameplate will return. But Lincoln dealers face a year-long gap without a mid-sized SUV or crossover.
Ford will introduce a next-generation Aviator in fall 2006. It will be derived from a modified Mazda6 car platform. The vehicle is expected to be built at Ford's Oakville, Ontario, assembly plant.
The truck-based Aviator hasn't met sales targets since it was introduced in late 2002. The Ford document said the company plans to produce 12,582 Aviators in 2005.
12-14-2004, 10:52 AM
#20
Sure bodes well for that new Lincoln pickup...
12-14-2004, 11:26 AM
#23
Originally Posted by 95gt
Never could figure out why the aviator didn't sell well but the navigator did 
12-14-2004, 11:43 AM
#24
on to the next one...
I liked the Aviator's, There were selling them for $14,000 of MSRP about a month ago, I almost got a blue one with Navi for $28,000! That was a DAMN good deal in my opinion.......If I had a kid, or a dog, or something to pull, I would have bought it, but I'm not ready for an SUV just yet
B
B
12-14-2004, 02:04 PM
#25
Got da Internet Goin Nutz
I got the wife a mountaineer last year but rather would have gotten an aviator, but the price was just too high for what I wanted to spend. I really think they did well with the aviators enterior and the higher price was warranted, but with the cheaper explorer and mountaineer options I guess they just weren't worth it.
12-14-2004, 07:45 PM
#26
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You figure Ford would have learned from GM that multiple copies of the same SUV would only go so far in appeal. That said, if I could get an Aviator for the $28G bgsm1th posted, I'd get one. 
12-14-2004, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by ItalianStallion
yeah, def not worth getting that truck IMO. so its goin the way of the blackwood...
10-26-2005, 10:13 PM
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First look at the 2007 Lincoln Aviator
Source: The Car Connection
Look closely-that's the 2007 Lincoln Aviator parked in the right-hand corner of the photo here that Ford is teasing with ahead of the new Aviator's launch next year. The Aviator - along with the mechanically similar Mazda CX-7 and Ford Edge crossovers - will join the luxury lineup next year as an '07 model. Ford plans a big Detroit auto show unveiling for the Aviator, which is aimed squarely at the likes of the Lexus RX and Nissan Murano. Though not confirmed by Ford, a 245-hp V-6 and all-wheel drive are the likely powertrain for the ritziest Aviators. Stay tuned to TCC for more pictures of the Aviator-and for previews of the Detroit auto show during the holiday season
10-26-2005, 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by RSA_Secure
I guess the real question is, would you buy it?
10-27-2005, 12:11 AM
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Originally Posted by sdho
not buying this for 39K...maybe 35 top, well...I need to see the car first
10-27-2005, 01:38 AM
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Originally Posted by titan
DAAMMNNN. That shit looks really good. I'd push it, and I haven't seen the front yet.
10-27-2005, 04:26 AM
#35
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Originally Posted by Black CL-S 4-Life
Good... one less SUV model on the road.
10-27-2005, 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by heyitsme
its funny how consumers can see the difference between an explorer and aviator but not between an expedition and navigator. the aviator is as nice of a step up as the navigator is.
10-27-2005, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by goldmemberer
You realize those rims will never make it to production, right?
10-27-2005, 12:04 PM
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wow .. . bold move... fresh look for an SUV - doesn't seem to have copied (too much) off others.. that's tough to do in today's market.... maybe Lincoln is finally upping their game (?)
ps. I liked the thread title that said "Dumped" better...
ps. I liked the thread title that said "Dumped" better...