Ford to close more Lincoln dealerships, focusing on fewer, boutique showrooms

[Milaca]

'The Dearborn, Michigan-based company is working to reach its goal this year of cutting more than 40% of its Lincoln dealerships over four years, Lincoln spokeswoman Anika Salceda-Wycoco recently told the Detroit Free Press.'

Ford to close more Lincoln dealerships, focusing on fewer, boutique showrooms (msn.com)

I think it would be best to simply have Ford dealerships sell and service Lincolns. It would save costs and it would give more locations to purchase and have Lincolns serviced at. I believe Ford's current methodology will end the Lincoln brand.
I like Lincoln automobiles, but the reality is that they are identical to a Ford with a bit fancier trim/interior.
Furthermore, the 2019 and newer Lincolns have a front/grill that looks like a Jaguar. If you want a vehicle that looks like a Jaguar, then go buy a Jaguar!



Here are a pair of 2017 Lincoln MKX (similar to Ford Edge) that I have been working on (the one to the right is being used for parts to repair two others).
I prefer the appearance of this split grill-design and it looks like no other brand of automobile.

[Milaca]

Here's a 2024 Jaguar F-Pace suv for comparison to those shown in the showroom (or boutique as Lincoln wants us to call it):

[Silverplate]

A Lincoln can be serviced at a Ford dealership. They should just sell them to. Actually might spark more interest selling them that way.

[6hk71400]

A Lincoln has been a Ford on Steroids' since 1936 with the introduction of the Lincoln Zephyr. If taking a good looking car and using it for parts to repair two other cars does not bode well for the future and commitment of the Lincoln brand. Mercury is gone and Mustang is the only Ford passenger car left. The Mustang E is a castrated bull that they slapped the name Mustang further diluting the brand.

My guess is in the next 20 years there will be no domestic production from GM or Ford.

[Jeff T.]

Back in the day...

Growing up in Lincoln, NE, there was the Ford dealership and the Lincoln/Mercury dealership on opposite ends of O street (US 34) about 80+ blocks apart

[8E45E]

Back in the day...

Growing up in Lincoln, NE, there was the Ford dealership and the Lincoln/Mercury dealership on opposite ends of O street (US 34) about 80+ blocks apart

Back in the day in Edmonton, Healy Ford and Waterloo Mercury-Lincoln were at the opposite ends of the block; Healy Ford on the NW corner of 106th Street & Jasper Ave., and Waterloo on the NE corner of 107th Street & Jasper Ave.

In the mid-1970's Waterloo moved out of the downtown area, which is now Waterloo Ford-Lincoln.

Craig

[8E45E]

I prefer the appearance of this split grill-design and it looks like no other brand of automobile.

When I first saw those, the 1936 Stout Scarab came to mind!! Portland Art Museum - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum

Craig

[Milaca]

Craig, it may be time for you to get eye glasses.

[Bob Andrews]

It is sad for me, but I realize nothing is forever. When I was a kid, and up into the 70s, both Lincoln and Cadillac unapologetic luxury. I grew up in many examples of both. Owning a Lincoln or a Cadillac made a statement; in general, the statement was that you had finally made it to Highpoint on the ladder of success. For decades, they had success with the same formula: unapologetic luxury, meaning large, big engines, plush interior, loaded with chrome and wood, lots of chrome on the outside. for the last 40 years, they have been trying to change their image and sell to people who don’t want a Lincoln, while chasing away the people that do. As a long time Lincoln/Cadillac customer, I don’t want a truck. I don’t want a sports car. I don’t want taut racing suspension, or firm, harsh seats. If I want any of that, I’ll buy vehicles that are made for that. As much as I’ve been hoping for a comeback for Lincoln and Cadillac, they continue to drift farther from me. Lincoln teased me a few years back with the continental, but that was one car, and did not last long.

I feel like there has to be a way to create high luxury without the cop car field of the last big Lincoln. But apparently they have decided that there’s no market for those people. Rest in peace, Lincoln and Cadillac, some of us will always remember when you were, as Cadillac used to say, the standard of the world.

[ddub]

Things aren't what they used to be. Cadillac and Lincoln were aspirational goals. My dad's progress from the 30s to the 70s was Ford, Studebaker, Oldsmobile, Chrysler and Lincoln. Life is not like that anymore. I am not sure what the motive for buying a Cad or Lincoln is now.

[8E45E]

Things aren't what they used to be. Cadillac and Lincoln were aspirational goals. My dad's progress from the 30s to the 70s was Ford, Studebaker, Oldsmobile, Chrysler and Lincoln. Life is not like that anymore.

Cadillac and Lincoln moved themselves down-market, starting in the 1970's while the German brands continued progressively moving up-market. Today, Mercedes Benz, BMW, and Audi have since filled in that void left by the (once) Big Three.

Craig

[8E45E]

Lincoln teased me a few years back with the continental, but that was one car, and did not last long. I feel like there has to be a way to create high luxury without the cop car field of the last big Lincoln.

Ford has to price them accordingly to make the buyer feel that he's getting something for his money.

A number of years ago, when I took my F-150 into the dealer for a recall issue, I looked at a brand new Continental that was in the showroom while waiting for the non-conforming part to be exchanged. It was priced at $65,000 as per the window sticker. Right next to it was a Ford Focus RS (or whatever the factory 'tuner car' Focus was called to compete with the Subaru WRX XTi). It was a little over $4K less that the Continental. Not a significant price gap like in the old days when a Pinto was nowhere near the price of a Continental Mark III when they were new.

Craig

[nels]

I looked at the Navigator when it came out in he 2018 model year as it went to the aluminum body, lost 700 pounds but opted to gain the weight back with sound deadener through out and put in electronic noise cancelling interiors. It was an incredibly quite vehicle and totally capable of towing a camper or car trailer. Mileage on the sticker was excellent. I’m losing my hearing with age and trying to preserve it as long as possible. We also travel a lot and that Highway drone just kills my ears. The Lincoln Navigator is a perfect fit but too expensive. I’ll probably end up with a used one eventually.

[Bill Pressler]

Sad news for me. Our town has a Lincoln-only store, but it's next door to the same family's Ford store.

I think most people join the group, overall. I grew up in a GM family and, other than my four Studebakers I'd owned, I have bought 16 new Chevrolets and three two-year-old Chevrolets--oh, and a used PT Cruiser--since 1981. First one was a new '81 Monte Carlo and last one is a '24 Corvette. I've never felt the need to buy an extended warranty and haven't regretted it. Cheap to buy, cheap to maintain and service. We'll see about the '24! I hate that the domestics have given up on sedans, other than the Malibu, which I like the styling and size of, but probably isn't long for this world since it's largely unchanged since 2016.

Like it or not, the foreign manufacturers who build here are not UAW, and have reaped many years of paying less than the old "Big Three". Not a judgment call, just a fact of life.

I have two Chevy dealers within ten miles of me and utilize the one who sends me the best service coupons. I bought the Corvette at a small dealer 30 miles away as he sold for MSRP (unlike the others) and charged only a $73.70 doc fee instead of $250 or more at the other places. This small dealer has been in the same family since 1928 and the current owner is the grandson of the original owner. I loved the purchase and delivery experience there, absolutely zero pressure and no one there to try and upsell you on warranties and accessories and useless tack-on stuff. The only salesmen are the owner and his son, and the wife is the office manager. Oh well, time moves on I guess.