Why is Ford trying to destroy Lincoln with products like the Zephyr?

[BaliBabyDoc]

At least the Caddy's have RWD and a little omph. The LS was neglected and now it's slot will be filled with the totally ridiculous Zephyr. Some may even prefer the Ford or Mercury version.

Ford Fusion

Mercury Milan

lincoln zephyr

Why bother spending hundreds of millions, if not billions to produce an obviously inferior vehicle compared to the competition?

Lincoln wants younger buyers that cannot quite afford a midrange 3-series, but who in their right mind would chose the Zephyr over an Acura TSX/TL, Nissan Maxima, or even a VW Passat. Hell, you can get a very low mileage Infiniti G35 with Nav for less than the list price for the Zephyr.

My wife was early adapter (2000 LS V8 . . . ugly depreciation) but at first blush her six year old car isn't exactly upstaged by the new Lincoln.

Lincoln LS

 

[Malak]

I like Lincoln vehicles a lot more than caddy. I think it looks better, IMO.

 

[Ricochet]

Well, it's not a bad thing to have a lineup to appeal to the younger crowd. Lincoln is typically seen as a car for older people, so the Zephyr is a nice change. It gives better option for those who only buy American.

 

[suicidalpigeon]

the fusion has a lot of similarities to the old and the newer preludes.

 

[SampSon]

I've always liked the LS, too bad it's gone.

You answered your own question. Why would ford do it? Because it's ford.

 

[LikeLinus]

Instead of just ranting for no reason...how about telling us exactly how it's "totally rediculous" and "obviously inferior".

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
The LS was neglected and now it's slot will be filled with the totally ridiculous Zephyr.

The Zephyr is most decidedly not a replacement for the LS. Look at the obvious difference in MSRP between the two cars.

Zephyr: Base MSRP: $29,660
LS: Base MSRP: $39,945

Of course the Zephyr isn't going to upstage the LS, it's not supposed to. It's creating a new slot in the Lincoln line-up. It's intended to slot BELOW the LS. You'd have to be awfully damn dense to think that Lincoln was going to replace a $40K car with a $30K one.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: SampSon
I've always liked the LS, too bad it's gone.

It's not gone. You can walk into any Lincoln dealership and order a brand-new 2006 LS right now.

ZV

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: ricochet
Well, it's not a bad thing to have a lineup to appeal to the younger crowd. Lincoln is typically seen as a car for older people, so the Zephyr is a nice change. It gives better option for those who only buy American.

Might want to define what you mean by "American" . All three models are based on the same platform as the Mazda6, the I4 engine is Mazda-designed and all three are built in Mexico.

That being said, they don't seem to be bad cars at all. In 2007 AWD will be an option for all three models.

 

[SampSon]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: SampSon
I've always liked the LS, too bad it's gone.

It's not gone. You can walk into any Lincoln dealership and order a brand-new 2006 LS right now.

ZV

Ah, no sh!t. I was taking the OPs word for it. I was actually kind of sad.
Oh well, that's what I get for listening to the OP.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: SampSon
I've always liked the LS, too bad it's gone.

It's not gone. You can walk into any Lincoln dealership and order a brand-new 2006 LS right now.

ZV

Ah, no sh!t. I was taking the OPs word for it. I was actually kind of sad.
Oh well, that's what I get for listening to the OP.

FYI, the LS is going to be replaced with the MKS late 2006 or spring 2007.


edit: My date is off. It seems the MKS won't come out until well into 2007. Link.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Originally posted by: SampSon

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: SampSon
I've always liked the LS, too bad it's gone.

It's not gone. You can walk into any Lincoln dealership and order a brand-new 2006 LS right now.

ZV

Ah, no sh!t. I was taking the OPs word for it. I was actually kind of sad.
Oh well, that's what I get for listening to the OP.

There's nothing wrong with the OP. The LS originally came in a V6 and V8. Both were overpriced and underperformed in the entry-lux category but it was a good first try. The last model year for the V6 was 2005. It is NOT a coincidence that the Zephyr comes in at 29k . . . that's just a couple of ticks below MSRP for the 2005 V6 LS. Lincoln got tired of selling the LS for 6k BELOW invoice. If you can find a loaded 2005 LS V6 you will pay several thousand dollars less than the MSRP for a 2006 Zephyr.

The 2006 LS comes in a V8 only. Although MSRP is 39k, most people are paying 3k less than invoice and that's before 3k in customer cash. Basically, if you add the top option package which costs 5k (DVD nav, hot/cold seats, HID, etc) you can roll out for just over $35k. If you are a cheap bastard, you can get the car for just over 31k.

2005 LS V6 (24k)
2006 LS V8 (31k)
2006 Zephyr V6 (29k MSRP)

In essence, Lincoln is replacing a car that rarely sold for $40k with a car that has two clones that currently sell in the low20s. And if you are looking for a sports sedan, my understanding is that the Ford Fusion actually handles better.

As for the MKS . . . that's going to slot where Lincoln hoped the original LS V8 would go which is the low end of true lux (5-series, A6, E-class).

The Ford Fusion is an excellent idea. The next iteration will be even better . . . well OK . . . if someone other than Ford is responsible for it (Mazda, Volvo, etc). The Lincoln Zephyr is just dumb.

joe sherlock

The 2006 Lincoln Zephyr is a disappointment. The production version has been softened and dumbed-down from the prototype shown at the 2004 New York Auto Show. Ford has promised that the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr "will look, feel and drive like a luxury Lincoln even though it will share a basic design with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan." All three cars will be built in Hermosillo, Mexico. Ford claims that "competitive vehicles, all priced in the $30,000 range, include the Infiniti G35, Cadillac CTS, Lexus ES 330 and the Acura TL." Baloney! Ford must be living in a dream world. The Acura TL has 258 horsepower and a stellar reputation. The Infiniti G35 has 280 horsepower and you can buy one with AWD now - not two years from now. The Zephyr's puny 210 horses and Lincoln's tarnished image will relegate it to a rental car lots, next to Buicks, Corollas, Malibus and Ford Five Hundreds.

edited for errors