VanDyke: Lincoln Needs to “Cover the Core Segments” Before Building Sports Cars, Luxury Coupes
For those of you out there who have hoped that part of Lincoln’s brand revitalization would entail introducing its own version of the Ford Mustang, keep on hoping. According to Director, Global Lincoln Matt VanDyke, the brand is prioritizing the essentials before it even considers high-priced, sporty models.
“We’ve said we need to cover the core segments first,” VanDyke told Automotive News last month. “Luxury coupes and sports cars are not the first place we need to go.”
Naturally, with the reveal of the 2017 Lincoln MKZ, the primary focus will be integrating the brand’s new face into its current lineup. It will also focus on replacing the MKS sedan with the upcoming Continental, which is sure to earn a fair amount of buzz for the brand.
Lincoln recently introduced new crossovers with the MKC and MKX, and it intends to introduce two new nameplates by 2020. In all likelihood, one of those models would be the returning Aviator, which would then slot between the MKX and the Navigator.
While the possibility exists that the other could be a subcompact crossover to sit in below the MKC, VanDyke said that both the MKC and MKZ “really cover the entry territory pretty solidly for us,” adding that the brand doesn’t feel the need to have a crossover priced below $30,000 just yet. This would likely make the second model a small car that would be akin to the BMW 3.
Will Lincoln come up with its own sports car in time? Perhaps, but don’t expect it to serve up desert until it has completely revamped its lineup with the meat and potatoes.
News Source: Automotive News (subscription required)
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