Lincoln Launches In China, China-Focused MKS Replacement To Follow
Lincoln is gearing up to launch in China, with a lineup full of CUVs and SUVs – and their only sedan offering won’t even be retrofitted to Chinese tastes.
Carnewschina is reporting that Lincoln’s Chinese lineup will consist of the new Ford Escape-based MKC, the new MKX and the Navigator (already a popular grey import). In a market that is hungry for CUVs and SUVs, this isn’t such a bad strategy.
But Lincoln’s sole offering in the sedan department will be the MKZ, which will be imported (meaning expensive tariffs relative to locally built German and American competition) and will not offer a long-wheelbase version that so many Chinese consumers gravitate towards.
While this may seem like an oversight on Lincoln’s part, there is a missing piece of the puzzle. An all-new large sedan is coming in 2016, set to replace the MKS. And as TTAC exclusively reported, it will be designed with China in mind. Dubbed Project GOBI, the new car will be focused on the “Chinese business customer”, meaning lots of rear legroom and sumptuous interior finishing. The basis for the car will be the same front-drive CD architecture as the MKZ/Fusion, and it will apparently offer the new 2.7L Nano V6 Ecoboost engine as one powertrain choice.
Comments
Join the conversation
Is Jimmy Fallon going to shill for them in China, would the Chinese understand "curated" tweets?
China loves American cars as it is so I doubt any major mods are necessary to impress. Look at how they devoured the Buick Century and Park Avenue!
I guess Lincoln can't get enough failure here, they have to fail in China too with their mediocre rebadges.
Ford Australia has been testing Chinese bound Lincoln sedans in Australia.