What happened to Lincoln Sedans?
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Ford Motor Company announced the discontinuation of nearly all sedans and most cars in the North American market.
That was announced in 2018 I believe so it is rather old news.
You might ask why?
Sales and profitability.
Particularly the small car market is so price sensitive the profits are very low if everything goes right. A problem that pops up that costs money and there is no profit on a small car. Might just as well not made it in the first place.
Sedan sales have been on a slide for a long time.
The replacements are CUVs and SUVs.
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That was announced in 2018 I believe so it is rather old news.
You might ask why?
Sales and profitability.
Particularly the small car market is so price sensitive the profits are very low if everything goes right. A problem that pops up that costs money and there is no profit on a small car. Might just as well not made it in the first place.
Sedan sales have been on a slide for a long time.
The replacements are CUVs and SUVs.
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A Charles 9920
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So how do the imports crank them out by the droves. Great looking CARS. Reasonably priced CARS.
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Most manufacturers pretty much dropped their car lineups at the same time leaving only the Toyota Camry/Carolla and Honda Accord/Civic, so they took over the market. There are a few others, but those four models have dominated and affordable.
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To be fair, Nissan should be in the list above.
It was a shrinking market. Sales of smaller cars in general and sedans specifically had decreased before COVID in favor of CUVs, SUVs and light trucks.
In addition to the above, the profit margins are thin on lower cost cars. To make it work for a car manufacturer, a significant volume has to be produced.
Starting from scratch is a big risk.
Both GM and who ever owns Chrysler dropped small car production without much announcement.
The same thing happened in the 1990s and early 2000 with full sized vehicles.
Because of shrinking market, most every car maker stopped building full sized cars.
Ford continued on with Panther platform until the market got so small that even one car maker could not do it.
It may not have been the best decision. I believe COVID pushed a lot of buyers into small (cheaper) cars.
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It was a shrinking market. Sales of smaller cars in general and sedans specifically had decreased before COVID in favor of CUVs, SUVs and light trucks.
In addition to the above, the profit margins are thin on lower cost cars. To make it work for a car manufacturer, a significant volume has to be produced.
Starting from scratch is a big risk.
Both GM and who ever owns Chrysler dropped small car production without much announcement.
The same thing happened in the 1990s and early 2000 with full sized vehicles.
Because of shrinking market, most every car maker stopped building full sized cars.
Ford continued on with Panther platform until the market got so small that even one car maker could not do it.
It may not have been the best decision. I believe COVID pushed a lot of buyers into small (cheaper) cars.
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11MarkX
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Lincoln sedans are alive and well....In China. China gets most Lincoln's 1 yr earlier than the USA market. So the new 2025 Nautilus is actually an old 2024 model in China.
Reasons - From what I've read, Ford sells more vehicles in China than USA so China gets the newest technology.... and/or China is a test market to see if problems occur or market opinions vary.
Truck sales have finally hit the skids since younger gens don't want to look like a transporter or farmer with never anything to haul in the bed. SUV's sales haven't changed much, but I think the younger gens don't want their parents vehicle, and are looking for something fun, more responsive and more comfortable, so I think coupe and sedans will make a comeback, but not right now.
Trucks and SUV's for decades had less regulations and therefore more profitable than sedans and coupes, but those regulations seem to be tightening up.
Reasons - From what I've read, Ford sells more vehicles in China than USA so China gets the newest technology.... and/or China is a test market to see if problems occur or market opinions vary.
Truck sales have finally hit the skids since younger gens don't want to look like a transporter or farmer with never anything to haul in the bed. SUV's sales haven't changed much, but I think the younger gens don't want their parents vehicle, and are looking for something fun, more responsive and more comfortable, so I think coupe and sedans will make a comeback, but not right now.
Trucks and SUV's for decades had less regulations and therefore more profitable than sedans and coupes, but those regulations seem to be tightening up.
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My Opinion is Ford FAILED Lincoln. There is no way there should not be a Lincoln Town Car. Lincoln needs an iconic FLEET vehicle. Halo Car YES Lincoln needs one I am yes, a MKS fanatic and I know I get on everyone nerves but that should have been a Luxury Sport Sedan Base Model and a Limited-Edition Luxury Performance Sedan that should have carried on the mantel for Lincoln in Limited numbers. Let Lincoln cook, create its own identity and lean on Ford SVT to deliver what they needed in performance. The big brother Ford Hand Me Down approach to Lincoln is what killed Lincoln, rebadged more expensive Fords in Tuxedos is not making sedans that had character, and charm for those that loved that side of Lincoln. Then there are cats like me that did get off on the sportier performance. Unfortunately, Ford has mucked it all up and I see no come back for Lincoln.
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WAY!
Sorry but money or sustainability is far too important than selling cars that the buying public no longer want.
That is what happened to Town Car or the Panther platform. Or really, the full sized car market. The new buyers are no longer buying that vehicle.
For the money, the vast majority of buyers are spending money on SUVs.
For Lincoln, one only needs to look back to the latest version of Continental. Did not sell in numbers as to be sustainable.
The same change happened to 4 door sedans.
Ford has deliberately moved out of vehicle segments that profit margins are too thin and risky or are contracting.
Ford no longer builds vehicles in North America for (nearly) every market segment.
Ford only builds vehicles that will sell well and there is money to be made.
Getting caught in 2008 to 2012 to file BK and downsize is not an option.
Or the COVID years, same situation.
Looking at profits Ford has either matched or done a little better than GM in the last 10 years.
Not that GM is the power house that they once were. But Ford is no longer selling into risky niche markets or low margin car models.
And with Government threats or laws created about specific power trains and/or CAFE standards, having cash to design and engineer to those mandates is necessary to move into those markets. That is such a serious concern the company was split in two. https://www.ford.com/ford-blue-ford-model-e/
The 1990s are gone and Ford isn't going back there.
The Town Car is always brought up as a desired model. Same for concept cars. That does generate interest and discussion.
What doesn't happen are sales.
And if "they build it" and no one buys, then what is the point?
The Panther Platform had a great 30 year run. Part of that run was the costs were so low to keep the car lines price point so low. Because much of the design and engineering costs are paid in the first years of a new thing. Because of the anticipation of the new thing being replaced by a newer thing in a few years. That didn't happen in the Panther Platform so the price was keep a little lower and buyers kept buying.
That usually does not happen with anything new. Including new engines, new transmissions, new electronics and new models. There is a bunch of cash needed to design and engineer it and then roll it out. That cash has to be made up to build the next new thing.
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driller
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I've lost the link to it but I ran across a very interesting YouTube video a while back that at the time was a year old. It was lamenting Lincoln's current status and offered the opinion that history has shown Lincoln has been on the brink of disappearing several times before and miraculously made a comeback.
While I hold out hope, it certainly seems dim. Meanwhile I'll enjoy my 90's era Lincolns and new Navigator while anxiously awaiting the next turnaround.
While I hold out hope, it certainly seems dim. Meanwhile I'll enjoy my 90's era Lincolns and new Navigator while anxiously awaiting the next turnaround.
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While Ford sold over 2 million units in 2024. Which was an increase from the previous year.
A 100,000 were Lincolns. And that was an increase by over 25%. First time since 2007.
I don't think Lincoln is going away any time soon.
These are luxury vehicles and generally have more profit in them than the lower end of the market.
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A 100,000 were Lincolns. And that was an increase by over 25%. First time since 2007.
I don't think Lincoln is going away any time soon.
These are luxury vehicles and generally have more profit in them than the lower end of the market.
Action
Action
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2024 (Full Year) USA: Ford and Lincoln US Car Sales by Model - Car Sales Statistics
In full-year 2024, Ford increased USA vehicle sales by 3% while Lincoln sales were up 28% -- the F-Type was again the US top-selling truck.
www.best-selling-cars.com
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2011MKSFavour
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I better not win a Mega Millions Billion Dollar Lottery I am buying Lincoln and bringing SEXY BACK LOL!
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I had to search for it but here is the video I mentioned in my previous post. Worth a watch...
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Oh yes I did watch something very similar to this a few months back. This was very good. I always felt GM and Ford failed a lot of their different divisions by not letting those divisions have their own identity and character. The cookie cutter approach I feel is what killed the big 2. Ford messed up so bad having Jaguar, Land Over and Volvo. So much untapped potential to really share engines and transmission and technology but having each R & D taking their own different approaches for their brands. SO SAD.
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Not mentioned in the vid is the corporate structure or the dudes at the top steering the ship called Ford Motor Company.
Like any big ship, it is always easier to continue on the same path rather than changing direction.
The problem in the Automotive industry is (consumer) change occurs almost on a continual basis. Then add Government mandates with deadlines and penalties it become difficult to invest the dollars and talent for the future.
Because change carries a lot of risk, it is far easier to do cookie cutter as long as the consumer buys.
But a lot of things happen because of what happens at the top.
So let's start at 2000 some 25 years ago. Jacques Nasser was COE and President of the company since Jan. 1999. During Nasser's time, Ford was the world's most profitable automaker, And if you believe that money (profit) is secondary to unit sales or designs or anything else, you are mistaken. It is the profit that is made to survive and build a vehicle for tomorrow. Because of that profit Nasser was given some latitude to do a number of things. He made a lot of changes in employment and assembly plants. Those changes meant if whatever it (employee or plants) was preforming at the bottom of the same group, it was subject to termination. Plus he explored a lot of diversification into all kinds of things. (Like wreck yards and fast repair chains) The Premier Automotive Group (PAG) was formed then as well. In addition, for Lincoln, that Continental concept car was born 2000 and was at the 2002 LA car show seen in the video. One of the results was a $6 to 7 Billion dollar profit for 1999. That was the largest profit of any car maker in history.
His undoing was the Firestone tire recall in 2000/2001 That went in front of US Congressional hearing. In October 2001 Nasser steps down (likely was asked to leave) and Bill Ford (Great grandson of Henry) moves up. The guy with the name on the building takes over. In 2 years and 9 months Nasser goes from hero to zero! The problem with Bill is he was playing a game way over his head. He had the pedigree and lots and lots of support. He was all for alternative power trains (electric). And other innovations. He was just not CEO material. Profits had been falling and by 2006, (in a roaring market place) the company took a $12 Bilion dollar loss!!! As a company you cannot be a loser in the financial game and generate new product.
In 2006 Allen Mulallay who had turned around Boeing was hired as CEO and President to replace Bill Ford. And to Bill Ford's credit he had been seeking a replacement for some time as he knew he was in trouble. He set aside his ego unlike some others with the last name of Ford. Mullay turned the company around with a program called "The Way Forward" and by the time the Real Estate downturn occurred, and sales were down for everyone, Ford was set to ride out that period with NO government bail out. In short time, through cost cutting measures he turned the company profitable again. However, two things were happening. Mulallay is not a car guy. He an awesome corporate manager. He sold the PAG (at a loss and it was a loser anyway) The second thing is he took the position as CEO and president not as a career move, but as a temporary thing to right the ship. He moved on in 2014.
So there is a time frame in 2001 or so for the next 10 years that Ford was strapped financially. What followed was two guys that moved the ball on the field, so there were profits, but more like place holders. Mark Fields and Jim Hackett served from 2014 to 2020 with Jim Farley taking over in 2020 and is in the current position. (If you were counting, that is 6 CEOs in 20 years) About 6 years and not a lot of continuity. Which is what the vid is about. In 2018 Ford announced it would stop building sedans (cars) in the North American market and focus on SUVs and trucks. (Big vehicles) That means that the long running vehicle with Lincoln, the "Continental" that goes back to 1939 is axed. As a credit, the 10th Gen Continental was released in 2016 as a 2017 model and did not do well! The mindset of Ford Motor Company going back to 2005/2006 is IF IT DOES NOT PREFORM, let it go!
The suggestion in the vid is Lincoln should have a vehicle that has history, tradition, continuity.
Similar to Mustang, Bronco or not mentioned in the vid, F Series of the Ford Sales Division. Specifically, F150
Both the name of Mustang & Bronco go back to the mid-1960s. And F Series almost goes back to WWII. But 2 out of 3 of those are trucks. And trucks currently are high dollar vehicles that generate a lot of profit.
Lincoln does not have that and the suggest of the VID is this may be the end of Lincoln if something does not change. mmmmmmmmmmmmm
The vid suggests that a Lincoln should compete in high end vehicles delivering Luxury, Comfort and Class. I might suggest it does especially with Navigator.
And the change that I talked about in the first paragraph maybe Navigator which goes back to 1998. That may be the tradition that is being established now.
It would be great in my opinion, if the Continental name came back. But for that to happen, it has to sell well. As a car, the 10th gen (the latest version) did not. So does the name come back on a CUV? But Lincoln has too many of those now. Again, in my opinion a Continental is a luxury CAR. The history of cars and that car line has been broken. The only way to "invest" in the Continental name and car is to buy the market. Sell it at or below cost. Until the market changes and there is an opening to be filled.
Besides the dip from COVID, tariffs are the current challenge. However, the Lincoln division is doing well.
Selling at least six figures in unit sales excluding the COVID years since 2015.
The rebound from COVID in the calendar year of 2024 was 104,800 in unit sales. This year is on track to do the same.
In my opinion, the end of Lincoln is not happening any time soon. AS suggested by this 1 year old vid. Which again shows you how change is the constant.
Lincoln may just be the Luxury truck division instead of cars.
Action
Like any big ship, it is always easier to continue on the same path rather than changing direction.
The problem in the Automotive industry is (consumer) change occurs almost on a continual basis. Then add Government mandates with deadlines and penalties it become difficult to invest the dollars and talent for the future.
Because change carries a lot of risk, it is far easier to do cookie cutter as long as the consumer buys.
But a lot of things happen because of what happens at the top.
So let's start at 2000 some 25 years ago. Jacques Nasser was COE and President of the company since Jan. 1999. During Nasser's time, Ford was the world's most profitable automaker, And if you believe that money (profit) is secondary to unit sales or designs or anything else, you are mistaken. It is the profit that is made to survive and build a vehicle for tomorrow. Because of that profit Nasser was given some latitude to do a number of things. He made a lot of changes in employment and assembly plants. Those changes meant if whatever it (employee or plants) was preforming at the bottom of the same group, it was subject to termination. Plus he explored a lot of diversification into all kinds of things. (Like wreck yards and fast repair chains) The Premier Automotive Group (PAG) was formed then as well. In addition, for Lincoln, that Continental concept car was born 2000 and was at the 2002 LA car show seen in the video. One of the results was a $6 to 7 Billion dollar profit for 1999. That was the largest profit of any car maker in history.
His undoing was the Firestone tire recall in 2000/2001 That went in front of US Congressional hearing. In October 2001 Nasser steps down (likely was asked to leave) and Bill Ford (Great grandson of Henry) moves up. The guy with the name on the building takes over. In 2 years and 9 months Nasser goes from hero to zero! The problem with Bill is he was playing a game way over his head. He had the pedigree and lots and lots of support. He was all for alternative power trains (electric). And other innovations. He was just not CEO material. Profits had been falling and by 2006, (in a roaring market place) the company took a $12 Bilion dollar loss!!! As a company you cannot be a loser in the financial game and generate new product.
In 2006 Allen Mulallay who had turned around Boeing was hired as CEO and President to replace Bill Ford. And to Bill Ford's credit he had been seeking a replacement for some time as he knew he was in trouble. He set aside his ego unlike some others with the last name of Ford. Mullay turned the company around with a program called "The Way Forward" and by the time the Real Estate downturn occurred, and sales were down for everyone, Ford was set to ride out that period with NO government bail out. In short time, through cost cutting measures he turned the company profitable again. However, two things were happening. Mulallay is not a car guy. He an awesome corporate manager. He sold the PAG (at a loss and it was a loser anyway) The second thing is he took the position as CEO and president not as a career move, but as a temporary thing to right the ship. He moved on in 2014.
So there is a time frame in 2001 or so for the next 10 years that Ford was strapped financially. What followed was two guys that moved the ball on the field, so there were profits, but more like place holders. Mark Fields and Jim Hackett served from 2014 to 2020 with Jim Farley taking over in 2020 and is in the current position. (If you were counting, that is 6 CEOs in 20 years) About 6 years and not a lot of continuity. Which is what the vid is about. In 2018 Ford announced it would stop building sedans (cars) in the North American market and focus on SUVs and trucks. (Big vehicles) That means that the long running vehicle with Lincoln, the "Continental" that goes back to 1939 is axed. As a credit, the 10th Gen Continental was released in 2016 as a 2017 model and did not do well! The mindset of Ford Motor Company going back to 2005/2006 is IF IT DOES NOT PREFORM, let it go!
The suggestion in the vid is Lincoln should have a vehicle that has history, tradition, continuity.
Similar to Mustang, Bronco or not mentioned in the vid, F Series of the Ford Sales Division. Specifically, F150
Both the name of Mustang & Bronco go back to the mid-1960s. And F Series almost goes back to WWII. But 2 out of 3 of those are trucks. And trucks currently are high dollar vehicles that generate a lot of profit.
Lincoln does not have that and the suggest of the VID is this may be the end of Lincoln if something does not change. mmmmmmmmmmmmm
The vid suggests that a Lincoln should compete in high end vehicles delivering Luxury, Comfort and Class. I might suggest it does especially with Navigator.
And the change that I talked about in the first paragraph maybe Navigator which goes back to 1998. That may be the tradition that is being established now.
It would be great in my opinion, if the Continental name came back. But for that to happen, it has to sell well. As a car, the 10th gen (the latest version) did not. So does the name come back on a CUV? But Lincoln has too many of those now. Again, in my opinion a Continental is a luxury CAR. The history of cars and that car line has been broken. The only way to "invest" in the Continental name and car is to buy the market. Sell it at or below cost. Until the market changes and there is an opening to be filled.
Besides the dip from COVID, tariffs are the current challenge. However, the Lincoln division is doing well.
Selling at least six figures in unit sales excluding the COVID years since 2015.
The rebound from COVID in the calendar year of 2024 was 104,800 in unit sales. This year is on track to do the same.
In my opinion, the end of Lincoln is not happening any time soon. AS suggested by this 1 year old vid. Which again shows you how change is the constant.
Lincoln may just be the Luxury truck division instead of cars.
Action
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2011MKSFavour
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Awesome well said so agree that there was way way way too much change at the top and no clear-cut direction. I always felt there should have been CO-CEO's that could drive both divisions. Ford can be the cash cow for the everyday man, but Lincoln could and should be a Premier brand and what always MADE ME ANGRY what is wrong with a luxury Fleet Vehicle bring back the Town Car. Don't give up the fleet sales and figure out how you want the Continental to fit in today's Market. Nothing wrong with restrained power combined with luxury and presence. That is how I grew up admiring Lincolns I am 55 and since I could remember the Mark V started my love affair. Thanks for really breaking everything down I enjoyed that reading just want to see Lincoln resurrect itself.
Town Car - Fleet bring it back
Lincoln LPC - Needs to be done right and be Lincolns 2 + 2 Luxury prestige coupe ( I have a family of 4 and we call the MKS the Lap of Luxury I have 2 boys 18 and up and they love doing family stuff together cause of the room and they love the power when I show off a little bit and the THX is our karaoke machine on wheels.
Continental - Needs to be the Halo car that needs to not be over the top Maybach luxurious and no not a BMW Ultimate Driving Machine. Like Genesis find that beautiful middle ground appealing to middle and upper middle-class consumers, design language that screams Lincoln evolution, functional humble elegance (Lexus used to do that well back in late 90's), skip the massages, and saunas, and potpourri I don't want to drive a resort I want a vehicle that give me the feeling of stature.
I am sorry I will stop. I am just passionate because of how I idolized the brand growing up.
Town Car - Fleet bring it back
Lincoln LPC - Needs to be done right and be Lincolns 2 + 2 Luxury prestige coupe ( I have a family of 4 and we call the MKS the Lap of Luxury I have 2 boys 18 and up and they love doing family stuff together cause of the room and they love the power when I show off a little bit and the THX is our karaoke machine on wheels.
Continental - Needs to be the Halo car that needs to not be over the top Maybach luxurious and no not a BMW Ultimate Driving Machine. Like Genesis find that beautiful middle ground appealing to middle and upper middle-class consumers, design language that screams Lincoln evolution, functional humble elegance (Lexus used to do that well back in late 90's), skip the massages, and saunas, and potpourri I don't want to drive a resort I want a vehicle that give me the feeling of stature.
I am sorry I will stop. I am just passionate because of how I idolized the brand growing up.
driller
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I've been going to the annual Ford Nationals in Carlisle, PA for many years. I've also been attending the annual Lincoln Homecoming in Kalamazoo, MI the past few years. I've listened to my fair share of Ford/Lincoln corporate representatives, both in formal presentations and just general chit-chat.
You probably learn more listening to them at the bar or table than behind the podium. You have to go through a lot of spiel to come away with a couple of nuggets of value. From listening to them, there was a big push for Ford/Lincoln a few years back for the China market that eventually steered the direction of R&D and marketing. It was or still is much more consequential than the PAG venture ever was.
Shortly after Ford and Lincoln axed all their cars (except the Mustang of course), in one particular Q&A session, a Lincoln executive was grilled why Lincoln wouldn't bring back a 'car' in some manner or another. His blunt answer was "it ain't happening", at least in their foreseeable plans for the future. In another group discussion, one of the Lincoln reps was interrogated on Lincoln's vision forward for an electric vehicle to compete with the likes of Tesla (who at the time was a rising star). The matter of fact response was it "was not feasibly economical" and/but hybrids were seen as the bridge forward to electrification.
Lincoln "could" bring back a car and they "could" build an electric luxury vehicle, but they just don't "want" to?
I certainly believe they could but like it or not, they are doing what they are allowed to do by the corporate stakeholders.
You probably learn more listening to them at the bar or table than behind the podium. You have to go through a lot of spiel to come away with a couple of nuggets of value. From listening to them, there was a big push for Ford/Lincoln a few years back for the China market that eventually steered the direction of R&D and marketing. It was or still is much more consequential than the PAG venture ever was.
Shortly after Ford and Lincoln axed all their cars (except the Mustang of course), in one particular Q&A session, a Lincoln executive was grilled why Lincoln wouldn't bring back a 'car' in some manner or another. His blunt answer was "it ain't happening", at least in their foreseeable plans for the future. In another group discussion, one of the Lincoln reps was interrogated on Lincoln's vision forward for an electric vehicle to compete with the likes of Tesla (who at the time was a rising star). The matter of fact response was it "was not feasibly economical" and/but hybrids were seen as the bridge forward to electrification.
Lincoln "could" bring back a car and they "could" build an electric luxury vehicle, but they just don't "want" to?
I certainly believe they could but like it or not, they are doing what they are allowed to do by the corporate stakeholders.
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The company could do anything. The corporate stakeholders own stock in the company. The Ford family is a huge holder of stock and I have stock as well.
After the 2008 2010 down turn and other economic events that impacted the company, the company is no longer going to fund models or things that do not return a profit. Hense the answer from the Lincoln Exec of "it ain't happening"!!! Some point in the future the company may play with a new idea or product. Just not in this confused economy. The company has been caught too many times with a rapid change that requires cash to react to. Or the ever changing market which really is the biggest driver.
So many times I see users type, why doesn't the company build that. There are several reasons and they all come down to money. If the consumer doesn't buy that in big enough numbers to generate a profit and be sustainable, Ford isn't going to make it.
Why not a full sized car like a Panther replacement? Yeah that market shrank so much it does not exist any more. Ford got lucky and built a good product in that shrinking market all the way to the end.
What about compact and sub-compact market? (Other car makers are doing that) Yes and that market is shrinking or has shrunk to edge out a number of manufacturers. In addition the profit margin on lower priced cars is small. Meaning to compete in that market a manufacturer HAS to generate big unit sales to make that work.
Ford has done well with the truck, SUV and CUV market. That is where they will stay for a long time until the market changes
Because ultimately the consumer makes the decision when they buy a new vehicle. That single factor in all reality determines what will be built and sold in the market place.
Action
After the 2008 2010 down turn and other economic events that impacted the company, the company is no longer going to fund models or things that do not return a profit. Hense the answer from the Lincoln Exec of "it ain't happening"!!! Some point in the future the company may play with a new idea or product. Just not in this confused economy. The company has been caught too many times with a rapid change that requires cash to react to. Or the ever changing market which really is the biggest driver.
So many times I see users type, why doesn't the company build that. There are several reasons and they all come down to money. If the consumer doesn't buy that in big enough numbers to generate a profit and be sustainable, Ford isn't going to make it.
Why not a full sized car like a Panther replacement? Yeah that market shrank so much it does not exist any more. Ford got lucky and built a good product in that shrinking market all the way to the end.
What about compact and sub-compact market? (Other car makers are doing that) Yes and that market is shrinking or has shrunk to edge out a number of manufacturers. In addition the profit margin on lower priced cars is small. Meaning to compete in that market a manufacturer HAS to generate big unit sales to make that work.
Ford has done well with the truck, SUV and CUV market. That is where they will stay for a long time until the market changes
Because ultimately the consumer makes the decision when they buy a new vehicle. That single factor in all reality determines what will be built and sold in the market place.
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A Charles 9920
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- My Lincoln
- 2022
I don't think I have read any post that is so totally correct or so totally incorrect about Ford. There is truth to some degree in it all. But just my view here. The Ford family class B stock is one things that keeps Ford from being the best car company around. I had the pleasure (?) of spending some time with Edsel back some years ago. I was a peon and part of a focus group when he ran FMCC. We met quarterly as I recall and he was a nice guy but no one dared to contradict Mr. Ford. No one challenged his views and everyone was basically timid in his presence. His demeanor was that he was a holy man bestowed with wisdom beyond ordinary mortals BECAUSE he was a GGson of Henry. Later along came Billy Boy. A really grossly incompetent business man. As I understand 40% of the voting control is in the hands of the family. There have been several initiatives to address this inequity but it has not even come close. SO....
"ain't gonna happen" is most likely the view of the family which apparently will enterally be a drag of the company success.
While the industry overall seems to have progressed in many ways, Ford has crawled back in the cave on a lot of things that other manufacturers seem to have been able to capitalized on. Sedans being a big one.
2011MKSFavour
New member
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- Sep 14, 2024
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- My Lincoln
- 2011 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost
Are you saying in cryptic fashion that the Fords are wholly responsible for the disaster that Lincoln is right now? IF that is in anyway true, they need to use the same model approach with the Detroit Lions where they finally brought in FOOTBALL minds to run the operation. Well, they need to bring in true AUTOMOBILE minds to come in and run Lincoln back from the ground to prestige cause what they have out there is TRASH (in my opinion not judging anyone purchase of current vehicles) I like cars, coupes and sedans. There needs to be representation, and you never know when you have a HIT until you release it. Every Mustang that is released is a 50/50 yet it soldiers on (so far) they have hit the mark. The Mach e was a risk and it has so far changed minds and succeeded.
Ford Family needs to just move out the way and just collect checks and let's get back to building cars that have character, legacy and purpose.
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