Lincoln: MKZ/Zephyr News
Suzuka Master
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From: Chicago Suburbs
Originally Posted by M TYPE X
Lincoln has had product problems [not bad products, but utterly lackluster] for more than half a decade.
The TSX, TL, and RL are all fresh models. Are you going to say that Jaguars are bad because they sell fewer cars than other automakers? Exclusivity because of price isn't a bad thing. The problem with Lincoln is that the brand itself has withered due to lack of reason and product.
Ford cannot seem to juggle Jaguar plus Lincoln plus Volvo.
The TSX, TL, and RL are all fresh models. Are you going to say that Jaguars are bad because they sell fewer cars than other automakers? Exclusivity because of price isn't a bad thing. The problem with Lincoln is that the brand itself has withered due to lack of reason and product.
Ford cannot seem to juggle Jaguar plus Lincoln plus Volvo.
Lincoln also was the best selling Luxury brand a short while ago. Ford neglected the brand and it's obviously been on a decline since. If the MKS comes out with the look and features of the concept, it will sell in volume. Ford is trying to rejuvinate Lincoln. Yes, Jaguar is in bad shape right now and McCallum is trying to re-establish the brand. Acura is in the same boat, with the exception of the TL, their sales aren't so hot. The RL so far IMO has been a sales flop.
What Lincoln needs is:
-IS Fighter/G35/3 Series fighter. Small Lightweight RWD car using the 3.5 V6.
-MKS Sedan. Competitor to the STS, GS, etc.
-Flagship to replace the Town Car. Price it around 55K with all the bells and whistles.
-S197 Based Coupe...Mark IX. Use the Mustang platform. Add IRS, 6 speed Auto/Manual and Lincoln Styling. Use the 4.6L DOHC engine, but update it to make 340ish hp.
Senior Moderator
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The TSX has been a resounding sucess. 3K a month may not seem like much but considering production capacity and marketing its a huge success. They don't have problems moving any of lots. Take a look through the TSX board.
And the MDX is selling very well.
And the MDX is selling very well.
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Lincoln MKZ - - SOurce: Autoweek
Lincoln MKZ
When Ford's luxury Lincoln division introduced its crossover replacement for the Aviator sport/ute at last month's Detroit auto show, it also revealed a new vehicle naming system. As such, Aviator became the 2007 MKX (Mark X), but Lincoln folks said the all-new Zephyr sedan would keep its name because the company had far too much invested in it. Forget all that, because the 2007 model eschews the now-known Zephyr name for MKZ (Mark Z). MKZ also gets optional all-wheel drive and a standard 3.5-liter V6 producing at least 250 hp compared to the 3.0-liter, 221-hp V6 it had shared with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.
When Ford's luxury Lincoln division introduced its crossover replacement for the Aviator sport/ute at last month's Detroit auto show, it also revealed a new vehicle naming system. As such, Aviator became the 2007 MKX (Mark X), but Lincoln folks said the all-new Zephyr sedan would keep its name because the company had far too much invested in it. Forget all that, because the 2007 model eschews the now-known Zephyr name for MKZ (Mark Z). MKZ also gets optional all-wheel drive and a standard 3.5-liter V6 producing at least 250 hp compared to the 3.0-liter, 221-hp V6 it had shared with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.
Safety Car
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From: New Orleans
Originally Posted by Maximized
The same could be said about Acura. The only car that sells in volume is the TL.
Ford is focusing on product development for Lincoln. In a couple of years, they will have a few more products, which will drive sales. When you have old dated products, obviously sales aren't going to be stellar when your competitors are updating their products.
Ford is focusing on product development for Lincoln. In a couple of years, they will have a few more products, which will drive sales. When you have old dated products, obviously sales aren't going to be stellar when your competitors are updating their products.
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From: Washington DC (NOVA)
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From: Washington DC (NOVA)
Well, the one certain thing about Lincoln interior design is that it's very characteristic. You see it and you know it's a Lincoln right away, even if the badges were removed.
Suzuka Master
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From: Chicago Suburbs
Looks really nice from those pics. I will see it at the Chicago Auto Show in about an hour. I am interested to see how the materials look up in person. I noticed that the vents are the same as my 05 Mustangs. Can you get the center stack in wood? That would really make the interior look sharp.
Safety Car
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From: New Orleans
Originally Posted by Maximized
Looks really nice from those pics. I will see it at the Chicago Auto Show in about an hour. I am interested to see how the materials look up in person. I noticed that the vents are the same as my 05 Mustangs. Can you get the center stack in wood? That would really make the interior look sharp.
Suzuka Master
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From: Chicago Suburbs
Just came back from the autoshow and looked at the MKZ and Navi. The MKZ looks nicer in person, especially the rear end. The interior looks nice, except two elements. First, the wood screams fake. Lincoln could have done a better job in that department. Second, the plastics aren't they greatest quality. It's a worthy effort and a nice improvement, but it needs some minor work on interior quality.
FYI...The Escalade still looks a bit cheap inside. GM cannot build a car that matches the Germans and Japanese in the interior department. The new Buick SUV concept was beautiful though. Better than ANY Cadillac on the market.
FYI...The Escalade still looks a bit cheap inside. GM cannot build a car that matches the Germans and Japanese in the interior department. The new Buick SUV concept was beautiful though. Better than ANY Cadillac on the market.
Safety Car
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From: New Orleans
Originally Posted by Maximized
Just came back from the autoshow and looked at the MKZ and Navi. The MKZ looks nicer in person, especially the rear end. The interior looks nice, except two elements. First, the wood screams fake. Lincoln could have done a better job in that department. Second, the plastics aren't they greatest quality. It's a worthy effort and a nice improvement, but it needs some minor work on interior quality.
FYI...The Escalade still looks a bit cheap inside. GM cannot build a car that matches the Germans and Japanese in the interior department. The new Buick SUV concept was beautiful though. Better than ANY Cadillac on the market.
FYI...The Escalade still looks a bit cheap inside. GM cannot build a car that matches the Germans and Japanese in the interior department. The new Buick SUV concept was beautiful though. Better than ANY Cadillac on the market.
Suzuka Master
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From: Chicago Suburbs
Originally Posted by titan
Thanks for the feedback. I'm happy to hear the MKZ's rear looks better in person. I just finished remarking on the fact that I think it's the exterior's weakest feature. I'm sorry to hear about the interior wood. I look forward to drawing my own conclusion soon. I'm also suprised to hear about the Escalade. I really need to check that out. Great news on the Enclave though... I have really high hopes for it; if any product will be Buick's saving grace, that'll be it. If it's true that the SUV is 95% production, I may be getting one in a few years.
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Lincoln's Zephyr will get higher sticker when renamed MKZ for '07 - - By AMY WILSON | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS - - Source: Autoweek
NEW YORK -- Lincoln plans to raise the price of its entry-level sedan when it renames it the MKZ for the 2007 model year.
That car, which debuted as the Zephyr for the 2006 model year, is being renamed this fall to align with Lincoln's new alphabetic naming scheme. The MKZ, pronounced by Lincoln as "Mark Z," also gets Ford Motor Co.'s new 3.5-liter V-6 engine, all-wheel drive and minor cosmetic tweaks.
"We haven't announced pricing yet, but there will be some slight premium with the MKZ because of what you're seeing added into the product," Michael Peyton, car marketing manager for Lincoln, said this month at the New York auto show .
Making the MKZ a slight price step above the Zephyr also will help dealerships clear out any old models still around when the new model arrives, he said.
Peyton wouldn't say how much the MKZ price will jump. Lincoln plans to announce pricing in August. The Zephyr starts at a base price of $29,660, including shipping. The premium for the MKZ probably will be less than $2,000, Peyton said.
Even with a sub-$30,000 base price, Lincoln has backed the Zephyr with significant incentives including major lease support. In March, total incentive spending for the Zephyr averaged $4,342, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Power Information Network. Industry research company Edmunds.com put the March incentive spend for Zephyr at $3,543.
Chris Lemley, president of Sentry Auto Group in Medford, Mass., says he's not worried about losing momentum with the name change. The bigger engine and awd should improve interest in the car, he said in an e-mail to Automotive News.
But Lemley questioned the logic of raising the price when incentive levels are high. "Wouldn't they be better off to see if the enhanced content enabled them to reduce the incentive spending?" he said.
Lincoln says the Zephyr has exceeded expectations since going on sale last fall. Sales for the 2006 model likely will be around 40,000, Peyton said. Through March, Lincoln had sold 12,769 Zephyrs.
That car, which debuted as the Zephyr for the 2006 model year, is being renamed this fall to align with Lincoln's new alphabetic naming scheme. The MKZ, pronounced by Lincoln as "Mark Z," also gets Ford Motor Co.'s new 3.5-liter V-6 engine, all-wheel drive and minor cosmetic tweaks.
"We haven't announced pricing yet, but there will be some slight premium with the MKZ because of what you're seeing added into the product," Michael Peyton, car marketing manager for Lincoln, said this month at the New York auto show .
Making the MKZ a slight price step above the Zephyr also will help dealerships clear out any old models still around when the new model arrives, he said.
Peyton wouldn't say how much the MKZ price will jump. Lincoln plans to announce pricing in August. The Zephyr starts at a base price of $29,660, including shipping. The premium for the MKZ probably will be less than $2,000, Peyton said.
Even with a sub-$30,000 base price, Lincoln has backed the Zephyr with significant incentives including major lease support. In March, total incentive spending for the Zephyr averaged $4,342, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Power Information Network. Industry research company Edmunds.com put the March incentive spend for Zephyr at $3,543.
Chris Lemley, president of Sentry Auto Group in Medford, Mass., says he's not worried about losing momentum with the name change. The bigger engine and awd should improve interest in the car, he said in an e-mail to Automotive News.
But Lemley questioned the logic of raising the price when incentive levels are high. "Wouldn't they be better off to see if the enhanced content enabled them to reduce the incentive spending?" he said.
Lincoln says the Zephyr has exceeded expectations since going on sale last fall. Sales for the 2006 model likely will be around 40,000, Peyton said. Through March, Lincoln had sold 12,769 Zephyrs.
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1. I think the price increase makes sense.
2. I drove the Zephy while in San Fran last month as a rental and overall was not enthused by the driving characteristics. The interior was...OK. It's sad to see a new car come out and already feel like it needs to go back to the factor for a refresh inside and out. That's what's been happening with GM and Ford for decades now. How sad.
2. I drove the Zephy while in San Fran last month as a rental and overall was not enthused by the driving characteristics. The interior was...OK. It's sad to see a new car come out and already feel like it needs to go back to the factor for a refresh inside and out. That's what's been happening with GM and Ford for decades now. How sad.
Drifting
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Raise the price??? The Car and Driver review of the Zephyr was completely negative AND look at the incentives on the the current car. The MKZ will be the same car with a different name and new engine. I don't get the logic in this.
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Engine upgrade for Lincoln MKZ, renting hydrogen, Aston addition - - AutoWeek | Published 09/12/06, 9:20 am et - - Source: Autoweek
Engine upgrade for Lincoln MKZ
Lincoln’s 2007 version of the midsize Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan goes on sale this month with a new name—MKZ replaces Zephyr—and a new, more powerful engine. The 2007 MKZ is the first of many Ford products that will eventually run the 3.5-liter, 263-hp, 249-lb-ft V6. The engine, MKZ’s only powerplant for 2007, is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel-drive models start at $29,890 while all-wheel-drive versions (a Lincoln car first) begin at $31,765. Prices include $715 destination fees.
Lincoln’s 2007 version of the midsize Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan goes on sale this month with a new name—MKZ replaces Zephyr—and a new, more powerful engine. The 2007 MKZ is the first of many Ford products that will eventually run the 3.5-liter, 263-hp, 249-lb-ft V6. The engine, MKZ’s only powerplant for 2007, is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel-drive models start at $29,890 while all-wheel-drive versions (a Lincoln car first) begin at $31,765. Prices include $715 destination fees.
