Latest China Smack: Lincoln To Make Compact SUV In Hangzhou

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

A few days ago, we talked about rumors of Chinese production of Lincoln cars, rumors which Ford denies. Chinese media are blasé about the Dearborn denial. New reports are coming out, and Carnewschina says there is more meat to them. The new reports still insist on a start date in 2015 at Ford’s new Hangzhou plant. And they claim to know what cars will be made, including a new Lincoln ‘compact SUV’.

If the reports are true, then Chinese Lincoln production will kick off 2015 with the MKZ sedan and the MKX SUV. They will be followed by the Lincoln MKS and a new Lincoln ‘compact SUV’. Other Lincolns such as the MKT and Navigator will be imported into China, again, if the reports are based on facts and not on speculation.

Bringing Lincoln to China could make sense, and making it overweight with SUVs would make even more sense. Chinese love luxury and never heard that SUVs are going out of style. Now what would that new compact SUV be? A Lincoln MKE, as in Escape? Or a Lincoln MKK, as in Kuga?

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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