Ford promises $1B to save Lincoln

In the 1930s, Ford introduced the Lincoln Zephyr and revolutionized American automotive design with a car that was streamlined and affordable. In 1956, Lincoln released the Continental. A car with ahead-of-its-time styling and cost as much as a Rolls Royce. Today, Lincoln is a shadow of its former self. It has sold just 35,000 cars since January and makes up less than 1% of new car sales in the US. Ford is standing behind its luxury brand; it is promising to invest $1 billion by 2014 to bring the brand back from the brink. 

Ford promised last year to give Lincoln seven new or updated cars in the next four years. However, so far Ford has not shown off anything new for Lincoln. Despite this, Ford is asking that Lincoln dealers spend $1 million to improve dealerships on good faith to prepare for the coming models. 

Ford's plan for the future of Lincoln is focused around platform sharing. It will use current, successful platforms, like the Focus, to develop more luxury-oriented models. Analysts predict a compact sedan, two crossovers and larger sedan to be coming for Lincoln. 

“We're fully committed to making Lincoln a world-class luxury brand with compelling vehicles and an exceptional consumer experience to match,” Lincoln spokesman Timothy Elliott said. 

Ford did away with Mercury last year after years of disappointing vehicles and, over the past decade, it has sold off Land Rover, Volvo, Jaguar and Aston Martin. It has also reduced its stake in Mazda from 33% down to 3%

Source: Detroit News