Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Lincoln headed to China in 2014

Buick has done well for itself in the Chinese auto market, and now Ford Motor Company is hoping it can find a similar success by introducing Lincoln to the growing market. Starting during the second half of 2014, Lincoln will begin selling its cars in China through a dealer network that will deliver a personalized brand experience.

By the end of this decade, Lincoln says that the market for luxury cars in China will not only be larger than that of the United States, but it also expects this segment to account for around 2.7 million sales annually. Aside from Buick, other luxury brands doing well in China include Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and Lincoln hopes it can attract buyers looking to show off their wealth and enjoy cars specifically tailored to this market. While Lincoln is not elaborating on what kind of tailoring it plans to deliver, it could easily mean that the automaker is expecting to offer market-specific, long-wheelbase models as is the case with other luxury automakers on sale in China.

While it isn't clear which cars will be offered in the Chinese market, we can almost guarantee that the lineup will include the completely redesigned 2013 Lincoln MKZ. In addition to the Lincolns, Ford is also increasing its presence in China with the introduction of 15 new Blue Oval vehicles (and 20 new powertrains) by 2015. Ford is also investing into production facilities in China including five new plants which is expected to help it increase its global sales to eight million total units within the next few years.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/28/l...china-in-2014/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

The new MKZ is attractive enough. At this point with ailing Lincoln, might as well try it in China

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/linco...photo-2934296/

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/09/15/l...arrives-china/

doge

Wishing them luck, I think it should do well for them,

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

^^ Agreed. Like Buick, I think Lincoln will find success in China. Hopefully this generates some profit that can spur new vehicles (such as a rumored RWD coupe)

Lex2InfiN

Sadly, Buick has a stronger brand identity than Lincoln does at the moment, so I don't think they will do quite as well in China (or anywhere else for that matter).

And as a side note, can someone point out what's wrong with this picture?









Here's a hint. It shows how confused this brand is on how to present its own products

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

^ referring to the badging?

spwolf

When I looked at Buick Chinese website, they had a lot of cheap models there... basically their pricing was like VW, not like a luxury brand.

So unless Lincoln builds cars for China that are basically smaller Ford sedans, I dont see how.

mmarshall

Sure. I can tell you EXACTLY what's wrong with it......(assuming that the two picture-scales are the same, and the camera lens-angle is not distorting one of them). The MKS is supposed to be their flagship, but appears no wider than the less-expensive, Fusion-based MKZ. Also, the MKZ forsakes the traditional Lincoln symbol on the trunk....another mistake, IMO. In my book, if you are trying to promote a brand, you don't shirk from its logo.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Regardless they sell a ton and that has helped generate some profit for GM

And I think Ford has the 'Escort' again

mmarshall

The Buick Excelle (Verano) is currently China's top-selling new car, but there are also larger, RWD Buick sedans there that are not available in the American market.

The compact MKC crossover would probably do very well in China. But, with Lincoln barely managing to keep up with demand for it here in the U.S., it would be unrealistic to try and introduce it to the Chinese market right now without a new plant and/or added production-capacity.

Lex2InfiN

Bingo! (or rather, a lack of badging)


I mean, what are they thinking over at Lincoln?
The MKZ is their bread and butter product, yet for some unknown odd bizarro reason, their company badge is nowhere to be found on the rear.

Could you imagine for a second Lexus launching a new ES without the "L" badge?
or having a new C Class without the 3-pointed star?

Not to mention the fact there is absolutely no family resemblance between the MKZ & MKS. Just absolutely ridiculous branding. And changing their name to the "Lincoln Motor Company" will not help either

Lex2InfiN

Also, the text "Lincoln" is completely different between the MKZ & MKS. Why is their higher priced model given the small text, yet their entry level model given the bigger text?

It just makes no sense at all. It sends a confusing message to buyers and shows no consistency across their product line.

spwolf

Unless they build it in China, they will send few thousand of them per year... customs are too high.

As to the Buick, keep in mind that Excelle is almost 60% of Buick sales in China, and only one in top 40 monthly list. Another thing to note about Excelle is that they sell both old and new generation and that old generation is better selling one... It has 112hp engine and price is comparable to Chinese Corolla X, which is now 3 generations old.

So it is very affordable vehicle, not a luxury one. They sell some larger vehicles as well, but none of them sell good enough to be in top 40 so not sure how much exactly.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Good observation and interesting point. At least for the Chinese market they have a chance (not sure of their plans) to make a name and identity for themselves. I wish them luck