Mulally wants Ford to Cut Company-wide Lineup Down to Around 20 vehicles

Alan Mulally, President and CEO of FoMoCo, told an audience of business leaders at the Confederation of British Industry in London today that Ford is looking to downsize its current lineup to 20-25 models in an attempt to "simplify" and build better cars.

It seems to make sense; instead of spreading yourself too thin and trying to be everything to everyone at the cost of quality, spend more of your resources on fewer models to ensure a well put-together product.

Clearly addressing the euthanization of Mercury and its badge-engineered wonders (as well as parting out Ford's Premier Automotive Group), Ford CEO Alan Mulally said:

"When I arrived, it was absolutely clear that we had to simplify Ford dramatically...Fewer brands means you can put more focus into improving the quality of engineering."

For the record, Mulally came into a FoMoCo that had ninety-seven (97!) models in 2006. Thanks to cutting back models and standardizing components, Ford has helped bring down the cost of multi-market cars like the Fiesta (65% of which is standardized parts).

With Volvo's sale - at a huge loss - to Chinese Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ford's golden child already is now making sure those wasted Mercury funds are allocated properly (i.e. to Lincoln and its non-cohesiveproduct range). What's next?

Mulally says, "The key thing now is to keep the economy going. All the fundamentals say that we are moving in the right direction."

I'll believe that when Lincoln is a true-blue luxury brand once more.

By Phil Alex

Source: Bloomberg

Canadian 1966 Batmobile Replica Commands Audi R8 Money

Last week, Carscoop asked you what your favorite TV or movie car was. Many of you expressed a fondness for the Lincoln Futura-based Batmobile used in the Adam West TV series of the late 1960s.

One of our readers tipped us off to this sweet, '66 Batmobile replica in Saint-Eustache, Quebec. You'll no longer be the "uncool dad" when you drop your kids off at school in this baby, old chum.

But before you rush out to buy some grey tights and adopt a young, orphaned acrobat consider this: it has the rather un-sweet price tag of CA$176,995 (US$172,779). You could easily get into an Audi R8 V10 for that money. Heck, we even found a 2003 Lamborghini Murcielago for roughly the same price.

And it pains me to remind you that under that svelte body are the aging Ford V8 and 3-speed-automatic transmission from a 1974 Lincoln Continental. Sure it's appropriate for the era, but then so were headbands and paisley and nobody wears them anymore.

What we really want is the Batmobile we saw on TV, not the one that was wheeled on and off the set between takes. You know, the Batmobile that could unlock doors and sounded like a jet fighter taking off.

Unfortunately, this little boy is still waiting.

By Tristan Hankins

Thanks for the tip Craig! , Link: Excellencechrysler

Lincoln Sentinel Concept Car: Could be Yours for $48,500

One of Lincoln's past concept cars, the Sentinel luxury sedan study from the 1996 Detroit Auto Show has been put up for sale on eBay Motors. The 'Buy it Now' price for the concept car that supposedly fused styling traits from classic vehicles such as the 1961 Continental and the Facel Vega Excellence of the late 1950s (don't ask) with Ford's "New Edge" design theme is $48,500 US.

And yes, the front end styling does remind us of Renault's Vel Satis luxury model that was introduced in 2001 and is still under production.

This is not the first time that the Sentinel showcar has been listed for auction as back in April, O.C. Welch Ford Lincoln-Mercury in Hardeeville, South Carolina tried to sell the concept study for $80,000 without any success.

Mind you, the Sentinel is a static showpiece built on a rolling chassis without an engine and a proper interior.

Link: eBay , Via: Jalopnik

Next Lincoln Models to get Unique Designs and Different Technology than Fords

According to an Automotive News report, future Lincoln vehicles will be heavily differentiated from their Ford counterparts, as the two brands will no longer share design cues and technology.

“The strategy isn't just new products, but full differentiation from the Ford brand in not only design, but in technology”, said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of global product development, on the sidelines of the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

Mr. Kuzak also said that Ford would achieve this by modifying the existing platforms in order to create unique Lincoln products. That could be the case with Ford’s power steering or chassis electronic control, for example.

“Imagine adding suspension control to that and what would happen to the platform if you did that on Lincoln only”, he added.

Scott Tobin, Lincoln's director of product development, told Automotive News that future Lincoln products will have newly designed interiors, an extended V6 engine line-up and other features, such as paddle shifters and all-wheel drive systems, with no rear-wheel drive variants in the works.

Lincoln also plans to reorganize its dealer network by eliminating at least 200 franchises in the top 130 U.S. markets. Furthermore, remaining dealers must agree to thoroughly upgrade their facilities and implement other changes.

Source: Autonews

2010 Lincoln MKZ Gains New 'Woodie' Executive Appearance Package

FoMoCo is expanding its 2010 Lincoln MKZ lineup with the introduction of a more luxurious trim-level called Executive Appearance Package that adds more wood finish and upgraded trim in the interior. More specifically, aside from the genuine (sic) walnut wood accents on the instrument panel and the center console, the MKZ's interior is upgraded with leather seats, unique door trim with stitching, a specific console armrest insert and floor mats.

Offered with a choice of five exterior colors (Tuxedo black, white Platinum, Brilliant silver, Sterling gray and Sangria) the Executive Appearance Package will be available for order in late summer. Ford has yet to release pricing (or photos) for the new trim-level.