2004 Lincoln Mark X concept
There's exciting news coming out of Dearborn this week, as it seems that the Blue Oval's plan to revive Lincoln is starting to lift off. After months of near silence on the subject from Ford brass, there is now obvious foundational work happening which will serve as the base to build a newly envisioned Lincoln upon.
They're still far from being out of the woods, but the steps they've taken thus far are very telling. They haven't simply dumped billions of dollars into new product as a "fix" for the brand. Instead, they're getting their proverbial ducks in a row to make sure that the brand has a solid, sustainable, and competitive foundation on which to grow.
2007 Lincoln MKR concept
Ford has gathered a new group of 85 whiz kids from across the industry to address standards and expectations with the dealer network, Lincoln-specific marketing and specialized communications, and working on the customer level to make sure expectations are met by both products and dealers.
Word also leaked out about the 2013 Lincoln MKZ this week, which is expected to be on sale in the first quarter or 2012. The new MKZ will still share a platform with the Ford Fusion, though the two are expected to share no visible parts. The Lincoln will be further distinguished by exclusive technology and options.
The real litmus test for me though, will come when we see the stylistic direction newly-hired Lincoln Design Director Man Wolff takes with the brand. After the stunning MKR show car several years ago, Lincoln's design has been in quite a funk, copying the MKR's oversized grille onto the entire lineup with varying degrees of success. If Wolff can create an iconic, distinctly American look for the brand, they'll be in good shape.
We'll keep our ears to the ground to learn more about what to expect from Lincoln going forward and will bring you whatever we uncover. In the meantime, look for a Lincoln styling concept either at NYC or early in the 2011/2012 auto show season.
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