Lincoln Stands Out From the Luxury Car Crowd

Lincoln Stands Out From the Luxury Car Crowd

by Lincoln PR

tags: lincoln lincoln mkx lincoln vehicles luxury luxury sedan luxury vehicles mercury vehicles

DETROIT, Jan. 9 FCN! -- Lincoln aims to become not just any luxury car brand, but Americas luxury vehicle brand.

According to Ford Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Americas Anne Stevens at Lincolns press conference held during the 2006 North American International Auto Show, the brands way forward means carving out identity that is embodies unique American values.

"Lincoln aims at winning the hearts and minds of Americans who are living the American dream and who want to see rewards for it," Stevens said.

According to Stevens, "We admit that Lincoln has been a lot of things to a lot of people in the past." She went on to say that to make the brand unique, Lincoln would focus on, "Elegant design, extreme comfort, leading edge technology and luxury power and performance."

Building on the success of the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, the company looks to continue the brands transformation with the introduction of the new Lincoln MKX crossover utility vehicle CUV! and the concept sedan Lincoln MKS at NAIAS.

These cars demonstrate a definition of Lincoln that embodies timeless, refined elegance, in the words of Peter Horbury, Ford executive director of design. "They’ve also been athletic, powerful and distinctly American," Horbury said.

"This Lincoln MKS strongly hints at our next generation full-size luxury sedan," he said. "Exterior styling reflects the Lincoln design heritage through its expressive, athletic lines. The classic Lincoln waterfall grille, sculpted hood and 20-inch tires also communicate power and performance capabilities."

Along with an assortment of innovative features, the Lincoln MKS offers a new V-8 engine and a panoramic VistaRoof for open-air spaciousness.

The Lincoln MKX brings the same design qualities and technical innovations to the fast-growing cross-over CUV! segment, along with the SUV-like cargo capability and people flexibility prized by CUV buyers.

In summing up the two vehicles, Horbury made a crucial point that distinguishes the vehicles beyond the list of technical and safety innovations. Both the Lincoln MXK and MKS share the same exterior styling. "Strong, expressive lines rather than a lot of add-on ornamentation," Horbury said.

If Lincolns designers and engineers have succeeded, customers will see a distinctive Lincoln brand with a common thread of values embodied in American automotive design and performance.

As Stevens summed up the Lincoln vehicles and Mercury vehicles to come, they emphasize American innovation, "In how they look and feel - how they drive - and every other element that gives cars soul and brands their appeal."