Automotive News, Media & Press - Ford Up in January, Mustang Down 33%, Lincoln Near Death

Ford Sales Up In January, But Lincoln Is Still Lagging

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By Edward Niedermeyer on February 1, 2011

Ford Motor Company sold 127,317 units last month for a 13.3% increase in volume, despite weak a performance from its Lincoln brand and a 95% drop in volume from the dead Mercury brand.

Lincoln effectively has two viable products in its portfolio, the MKZ (1,574 units) and the MKX (1,546 units)… nothing else moved more than 1k units last month. And of all its products, only MKZ saw a year-over-year sales increase last month, up 17.5%. With Mercury gone (but for a few hundred Grand Marquis sales), Lincoln needs to get its act together before Ford becomes a one-brand outfit.

Still, If Ford did cut back to a single brand, the Blue Oval would still be in decent shape. Ford-branded vehicle sales jumped 21 percent to 121,511 units last month. Focus fell slightly f(13.2%) to 9,014 units, but Fiesta is coming on strong with 4,270 units. Fusion saw a modest sales increase, as the midsized contender moved to 14,346 units. Taurus and Mustang fell by 23% and 33% respectively. Edge and Escape were up 42.8% and 30% respectively, and the new Explorer looks to be a hit with sales jumping 71% to 7,351. F-Series kept growing as well, with 35,806 units sold, and Transit Connect rose to above 2k monthly units while Ranger slid 31%.

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i thought lincoln would be doing better...especially the mkx, mkx and the navigatior

Lincoln is a brand without an identity. There is nothing exciting in its line up or anything that warrants the premium pricing over its Ford sibling.
The premium suv market is soft at best and the Navi was the only thing that really kept them alive the last few years. They should have kept something like the Mark8 around to generate brand excitment. Not necessarly a coupe but something.

I agree. Lincoln needs excitement like Cadillac is gettting. Bring that Falcon over here, and slap a Lincoln badge and interior on it (extra power as well).

These vehicles are too expensive to say the least. Why would it be a mystery for Lincoln to lag behind? Nobody can afford the damn things!

GM gave up some brands, I'm not going to shed a tear for Ford if they lose some too.

Its a shocker to me that mustang sales are struggling and down compared to last years numbers. I would've thought the new motors would have helped more... especially since january was about the time rumors on the new motors were going around.. disappointing for such a great pony car. but im not so sad about Lincoln losing sales. I lost interest in Lincoln when the Lincoln LS was stopped, it had that slightly sporty edge that a luxury could benefit from. Nothing in the brand captures my interest, i would much rather have a Fusion sport or even hybrid over a MKZ(?) that costs 10k more for a different badge and grille.
Maybe it's just me.. Idk

My is question is who the hell buys a mercury? I didn't know that brand was still around.

One could probably get an awesome deal on a leftover Mercury model right now, still great cars for the 'point A to point B' sedan crowd and a great value too if you could steal one at a dealership right now.

What doesn't surprise me is how few Taurus' they sell. I guess I'm not the only person to drive one and say, "Err, no thanks." Strange, that the Mustang outsells the 'bread and butter' family car.

I'm not surprised at all Lincoln is down, what do they make besides the Navigator and the dinosaur that is the Lincoln Town Car? Ford is making some great cars these days, but they've completely forgotten that they have to sell Lincolns too.

^The St. Thomas assembly plant making the Towncars is scheduled to close in Septermber 2011, likely getting the same axe that the Crown Vic/Grand Marquis did when they replaced it with the Taurus/MKS as the "full sized car".

The new Lincolns have beautiful interiors, but the grilles are definately awful.

http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab300/Mastertomos/1a.jpg
:barf:

looks like a pontiac lol. i like the idea, i bet with a little more thought that grill could be badass

My is question is who the hell buys a mercury? I didn't know that brand was still around.

It isn't, Ford has discontinued making them.