We are arguing the same point. The NJ DEALER ASSOCIATION sued, not Ford corporate. Of course the dealer's don't want to have to build additional dealerships. Thats what I meant when I said "it doesnt make sense for them to", the "them" I was referring to were the dealers.

Before Lincoln went down the tubes, in the 70s, 80s and 90s there were absolutely stand alone Lincoln dealers. Trust me, my Dad drove Linclons.

Again, this is the dealers association not Hyundai who doesnt want separate dealers.

 

For the American brands like Ford or Lincoln, it is in their best interest to be a split Ford/Lincoln shop. There is no difference between stocking a Expedition or Navigator. Dealer wins big as they have more product to shop and mark up as well as service. Lots of people are gonna naturally cross shop the two brands anyway.

 

The only difference is its much harder to provide the customer with a luxury experience in a split dealer. Although I will say Lincoln does it pretty well. They have separate sales staff and management and Lincoln dedicated areas within the dealership. The dealers I have been to have been very good and the staff treated me the way I would expect to be treated at a luxury car dealer. Hyundai/Genesis...not as much

 

and that's exactly where the conflict comes between dealer's short-sighted cost efficiencies, and a manufacturer's branding separation goals. when that raucus mustang GT comes in or peels out with the driver shouting YEE HAW out the window while the salesperson who's a potential customer a top of the line expedition, kind of takes the shine off the experience.

 

If it is done right, it can be done. Ford and Lincoln go hand in hand as Lincoln is a step up from Ford. Most of theirs products can be easily compared to each other.

It just depends on the brand. A Lincoln really is just a high end Ford. A Lexus truly is high end Toyota. A Mercedes in America is a very high end Mercedes and you just don’t see the really really cheap stuff from MB like you would in Germany or some parts of Europe

 

Based on what I've seen here in the Virginia D.C. suburbs, correct, I'll agree, although that seems to be more the case with the much larger and nicer Ted Britt Ford/Lincoln dealership in that big Chantilly complex than the smaller/older Ourisman Ford/Lincoln in Alexandria. Ted Britt has the advantage of a much newer/larger building and facilities.

From what I remember and saw, at least in this area, most if not all of the Lincoln shops were combined with Mercury, and used the logo of the cat. Me and my ex-Flight Instructor bought a new Town Car at one of them (Cherner at Tysons) for his limo-company (he started driving limos after his flight-career), and, with my late Mom, for a small Mercury Tracer for her.

 

Even the smaller Sheehy Ford in Gaithersburg does a good job of having dedicated Lincoln staff and space.

 

Been hooked w/ Mercury's at least from the early sixties.....One of my uncles used to work at a Cleveland L/M dealership & his demo was a Dan Gurney special (the blue/white) one. I was tech at a L/M dealership in the late '80's thru ;01....''At the sign of the Cat''......

 

The Kia dealer where I bought my 2015 Sedona used to be a Lincoln/Mercury dealer. They basically didn't redo it, still had the old brass chandelier in the showroom, and the parts department still had all the Lincoln posters and all. They just finally renovated it.

 

Looks like I was one of the lucky ones. I just received my invitation from Ford to place my order.

 

Nice! Spec it up to the max

Are you considering the Silverado also?

 

Hoping to do just that! Will report back. I hadn't really looked at the Silverado. I do need to do that. With that said, it looks like there's a possible path to a Lightning reasonably soon, it would likely be well into next year before I'd have a shot at a Silverado with all the pre orders ahead of us. My Lightning reservation went right as soon as the site opened.

 

I've ordered the F-150 Lightning Platinum. Some possible oddities, though. One one screen it suggested that Lightning allocations were sold out, but it continued the process and took payment for my additional deposit and Ford have sent me the order confirmation.

 

Congrats, you are one of the lucky ones. I haven't received anything from Ford yet, even the dealer hasn't called me back

 

I’m fully expecting this to end up with quite a long delay.

But for now all looks good. I looks like I did get lucky. When did you make your reservation?