Lincoln Made In China - Again?

by Bertel Schmitt

Published: May 21st, 2012

Rumors of Made-in-China Lincolns have been swirling for a while. The Lincolns never came, but the rumors are back. Carnewschina has picked up rumors in Chinese automotive media that whisper that by 2015, Lincoln cars will be made in China. According to same rumors, the Lincolns will be produced under Ford’s existing joint venture with Chang’an Auto. The joint venture is expanding towards a new plant in the city of Hangzhou, and this is where the Lincoln will be made when the plant opens in 2015. Or so the rumors say.

If facts reported by Chinese media are often rumors, then rumors reported by Chinese media are most likely completely bogus. Ford said recently that “its luxury Lincoln brand will remain on the sidelines for now.” But by 2015 … who knows. In any case, Lincolns have a rich history in China, wrapped into the red Flag.

#BertelSchmitt #China.Ford #Lincoln

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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9 of 17 comments

Getacargetacheck on May 21, 2012

Lincoln is on its way out. By 2020 it'll be dead. Even if Ford introduces Lincoln versions of the Escape and Explorer for volume and the new MKZ sells better, it won't be enough (at the level of investment $$$ Ford has publicly stated) to change perceptions of the brand. China? The letter "L" is particularly difficult to pronounce. China will not form the basis of a Lincoln renaissance.

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- Richard Chen on May 21, 2012
  
  Perhaps Lincoln will be winnowed down to one or two unique models, but what would be the definitive car or CUV to sell? I vote for something built on the next Mustang platform with the rumored IRS.
  
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- VA Terrapin on May 21, 2012
  
  The problem with Lincoln sedans is that they don't do a good job of relating to Fords, but more upscale. The MKZ and Navigator look too much like badge engineered Fords. While Ford is taking their sedans and small CUV in a more Euro direction with the Focus, Fiesta and upcoming Fusion and Escape, the Lincoln MKS and MKT look more Japanese. The Town Car is too ancient, uncompetitive and better off dead. Killing off Lincoln would be stupid. Where are all the Ford customers who become more affluent supposed to go? Cadillac? Lexus? Mercedes Benz? Hyundai? As for the belief that Chinese people have difficulties pronouncing the letter "L," that's more ridiculous than the belief that Americans can't pronounce "nuclear." Do you really think Chinese have problems pronouncing Chinese company names like Wuling, Linglong or Li Ning, Chinese surnames like Lai, Li, Lin or Liu or Chinese place names like Lanzhou? Think before you spout off stupid stereotypes.
  
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- Getacargetacheck on May 21, 2012
  
  @VA Terrapin "As for the belief that Chinese people have difficulties pronouncing the letter “L,” that’s more ridiculous than the belief that Americans can’t pronounce “nuclear.” Do you really think Chinese have problems pronouncing Chinese company names like Wuling, Linglong or Li Ning, Chinese surnames like Lai, Li, Lin or Liu or Chinese place names like Lanzhou? Think before you spout off stupid stereotypes." It's not a stupid stereotype. The correct pronunciation of the letter "L" is difficult (but not impossible!) to learn much less a name like "Lincoln" which also has a silent "C" and a silent "L." The point is that Ford would be foolish to build a worldwide luxury brand in the world's largest car market with a name that is difficult to pronounce. The name also, unlike Buick, has almost no recognition or heritage in China. Might as well start anew or develop the Ford name further.
  
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- Dtremit on May 21, 2012
  
  @VA Terrapin Japanese also has a single liquid phoneme; hasn't stopped Toyota from introducing the Lexus brand there. Plenty of brands have local pronunciations that are correct in their respective markets; no one gives it much thought.
  
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- VA Terrapin on May 22, 2012
  
  @VA Terrapin Native Chinese speakers are perfectly capable of pronouncing the letter "L" as I've already shown with various Chinese words and surnames. Since the second "L" in Lincoln is silent, native English speakers make the first syllable sound like "ling" or "link," and the second syllable sound like "kin" or "kun." "Ling kun" is no challenge for native Chinese speakers to pronounce correctly. But like you already said, the real challenge for Ford to sell Lincolns in China (if that's what Ford really wants to do) is to sell one that "has almost no recognition or heritage."
  
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"scarey" on May 21, 2012

Give me some beef and brockery and an order of Red Frag Town Car.

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Carfriend313 on May 21, 2012

Lincoln has a silent /c/? How do you pronounce it, 'Linnun'?

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Bryce on May 22, 2012

Lincoln is only an overpriced Ford it has some cachet in the US but elsewhere its just another incompetent poorly made tank

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