Ford will Build Electric Cars and Selling Lincolns in China

Ford Motor Company’s CEO, Allan Mulally, recently told Bloomberg Television that his company might build electric cars with its partner in China while the automaker is also looking to introduce the Lincoln brand into the market.

“As we move towards electrification, you’re going to see more hybrids, plug-in hybrids and all-electric cars”, said Mulally while on a trip to Chongqing, China, for the founding of a new transmission plant in partnership with Changan Automobile Group.

The CEO did not specify when or which EVs Ford is considering to make in China in cooperation with its local partner, only that it depends on infrastructure and progress in battery pack technology. The Chinese government’s intention is to have at least one million electric cars on the streets by 2015 in order to reduce emissions.

Mulally added that Ford, which aims to double its presence in all segments in the local market, is considering bringing the Lincoln brand to China: “We have a great luxury brand in Lincoln. There’s going to be tremendous pull from China to have access to these great vehicles.”

Introducing Lincoln to the Chinese market might prove a profitable movement, since JD Power estimates that luxury car sales will increase by 15% in 2011 alone.

Ford came a little late to the China booming car market party, but intends to make up for it by investing $1.6 billion USD in the construction of four new plants in order to achieve its goals. Currently its share in China is just 2.7%, while GM’s is more than triple, at 10%.

Read more In Cars

2011 Lincoln MKX

Once a song is tagged and customers dock their iPod to the SYNC system, the “tagged” song information will transfer to that iPod. When the iPod is then synced to iTunes, a playlist of tagged songs will appear. Up to 100 tags on SYNC can be stored until the iPod is connected. When an iPod is connected, the tags are transferred from SYNC to the iPod. Customers then can preview, purchase and download tagged songs from the iTunes Store, if they so choose.

One significant benefit of HD Radio technology is that the sound quality of the broadcast is dramatically better because of the digital transmission – FM sounds like a CD and AM sounds like today’s FM broadcasts. Plus, unlike analog broadcasts, digital broadcasts aren’t susceptible to interference, fadeout and other issues.

The flowing exterior design of the 2011 Lincoln MKX provides the perfect complement to the luxury crossover’s industry-leading technology and class-exclusive features.

“The 2011 Lincoln MKX will be a real standout in the Lincoln showroom,” said Doyle Letson, chief designer. “The addition of the new split-wing grille, a key to Lincoln signature DNA, is just the start. The 2011 MKX has the best proportions of any Lincoln we have.

“The fender line, with the raised arch over the front wheel, as well as the lower rocker detail with beautifully tapered bright detail that runs the length of the vehicle, makes a dramatic difference in side view,” he added.

New for the 2011 model is an updated rear taillamp treatment. The lamps are now two distinct pieces that employ an indirect LED system that hides the light source while allowing the light intensity to shine through. The reverse sensors of the Blind Spot Information System are integrated into the reflectors while the Lincoln star sits proudly on a new appliqué. The 4-inch oval exhaust tips, significantly larger on the 2011 Lincoln MKX, also increase the unique luxury crossover’s presence.

The new 18- and 20-inch wheels are more dynamic and expressive. Instead of a familiar linear or blocky appearance, the wheels encompass a variety of undulating and complex shapes that help the 2011 Lincoln MKX appear always in motion. The vibrant wheel shapes again underscore the enhanced craftsmanship and attention to detail found throughout the 2011 Lincoln MKX.

2012 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Review

The new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid comes in 191 horsepower offering a smooth and powerful driving. The fuel efficiency produced at 41 mpg on city while on highway is 36 mpg and the combination total is 39 mpg. It is the greenest machine MKZ Hybrid ever, compared to the common Lincolns at 17 mpg. The new Lincoln Hybrid employs leather seats as a standard feature and it seems the car has a few similarities to the Ford Fusion.

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid had been announced at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Las Vegas which is held every January each year in Nevada that city’s convention center. The vehicle arrives along with the price tag starting at $34.300. However the sales rate of the electric and hybrid’s Ford car is remain at 1.8 per cent of last year’s sales. Alan Mulally, the chief executive officer of Ford is expected to push the car company into 25 per cent of its American manufactured product line from hybrid by 2020.

In fact the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is offering both pricing and fuel efficiency which is not easy to beat in luxury automotive range. In any rate this ecologically sound with a luxury performance car is totally competitive with others vehicle which are already on the market. Thought it is impossible to refuse the opportunity to drive this updated Ford’s more compact car to be the first manufactured during the twenties century. As many enthusiasms see the Lincoln new Hybrid, they will enjoy calling back about its predecessor since they share the same similarity. However, it is sure that the more aerodynamic MKZ will be more success and well known compared to the thirty years ago generation. The all new 2012 Ford Lincoln is estimated to have at least the same position on the highway in any continent as everything else.

Mercedes-Benz Tops Secret Shopper Study of U.S. Dealers

Mercedes-Benz dealers were number one for customer treatment in the US according to an independent study by survey company Pied Piper. The California-based company hired 3,524 “secret shoppers” and sent them to US dealerships in order to determine how their salesmen were performing in anything from explaining a car’s features to closing a deal.

This is the third year in a row that Mercedes-Benz, which looks set to top the sales charts this year in the luxury segment, has topped Pied Piper’s study.

The German firm was followed by Jaguar and Lexus dealers, who tied in second place. According to the survey, Toyota and Chrysler’s Ram sales representatives were ranked the best among mass-market carmakers, while Mitsubishi and Suzuki finished at the bottom, as did Lincoln in the luxury segment.

According to CEO of Pied Piper, Fran O’Hagen, in general the brands that scored the poorest were those with the worst sales per dealership. O’Hagen added that’s easy to explain, as these brands cannot retain competent salesmen for a long time.

He also commented that reduced staff has had a negative impact in customer satisfaction now that sales are on the rise again and dealers don’t have the necessary staff to cover their needs.

However, as O’Hagen pointed out, the secret of success in this particular business is not really a secret at all. Good dealerships focus on a customer’s needs, get to know them and ask a few questions about their driving habits – and that takes skill and time.

The “secret”, according to O'Hagen, is to "think not like a salesman, but as a customer".

Read more In Cars

2013 Lincoln MKZ Facing Delays. Again !!!

Ford is hard at wοrk prepping its all-new CD4 platfοrm cars – the Ford Fusion alsο Lincoln MKZ here in the United States, and the Fοrd Mondeo οverseas. The triο are expected tο launch in the first quarter of 2012, but nοw, a report frοm Ford Inside News suggests that the Lincοln counterpart cοuld be delayed until the second half οf next year.

The reasοn? Styling issues. Currently, the Fusion and MKZ are nοt exactly identical twins, but it is not all that hard tο tell them apart. Furthermοre, it's said that Ford is hoping tο better differentiate the MKZ Hybrid frοm the standard sedan.

We are not talking abοut huge design leaps here; expect the gas versus hybrid styling differences tο be similar tο what Hyundai does with its Sonata.

Speaking οf the MKZ Hybrid, Ford Inside News repοrts that the Fusion Hybrid's updated pοwertrain is expected tο achieve around 47 miles per gallοn in the city. Since Lincοln will use the same setup under the hood οf the MKZ, this means the mοre upscale of the Blue Oval fuel-sippers will easily best οther luxury hybrids, including the Lexus HS 250h.

Advertisements 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read more In Cars

2011 Lincoln MKS photo gallery with price reviews

2011 Lincoln MKS photo gallery with price reviews
aston martin cars new and specification price: http://masti-jokes.blogspot.com/2011/05/first-aston-martin-rapide-rolls.html

2011 Lincoln MKT photo gallery with price reviews

2011 Lincoln MKT photo gallery with price reviews
nissan cars new and specification price: http://masti-jokes.blogspot.com/2011/05/2010-nissan-leaf-cars-pictures-gallery.html

2011 Lincoln MKX Car Review with wallpapers

2011 Lincoln MKX Car Review with wallpapers
Ford has smartly sharpened its product portfolio in the past three years, yet the same can’t be said for the Blue Oval’s supporting brands. Just this June, it was announced that Mercury would be put out to pasture after decades of carbon-copy engineering,

and Lincoln’s lineup suffers from virtually the same indifference. However, Ford tells us that the 2011 Lincoln MKX is the first vehicle in a product revolution that is planned for the luxury brand’s lineup.