December10
Lincoln will continue to us an alphabetic naming scheme for future models, Ford executives say. Ford’s luxury division switched to models names beginning with MK two years ago. Some critics say the naming system is confusing and Ford executives have even been know to get them mixed up.
Ford’s CEO, Alan Mulally, has criticized the automaker for switching vehicle names too quickly, such as with the Ford Taurus. When Automotive News asked Mulally if the upcoming MKS sedan would ditch its alphabetic name for the Continental nameplate, he said: “Those are interesting possibilities. We’ll see. But consistency of purpose is really important.”
Despite the company’s new naming strategy, there are no plans to re-name the Lincoln Navigator.
Lincoln is expected to get a large crossover vehicle in 2009 — based on the Ford Flex — that will follow the current MK naming strategy.
dammit more bingo names.
It should at least stand for something. so it should be called the MKC or something so that it can stand for Mark Continental or something. Just like Cadillac’s CTS = Catera Touring Sedan
its just confusing - at least they could have called them Mark Z, Mark X, or Mark S at least that would have some history behind the names.
So the names of future ford products will be as boring and uninspiring as their designs.
Consistency of purpose?
Consistency of confusion-
I don’t care for the habit in any of the makes. There is a sea of it. They don’t create much identity distance.
planet_drive - you can’t mention boring and uninspiring designs when talking about Ford. Yes, they are perhaps the most boring when it comes to the domestics, but they still pale in comparison to the dangerously boring (like the falling asleep at the wheel and crashing kind of boring) and uninspiring designs of the Japanese.
dumb!
How about getting some dedicated models, Lincoln?
Talk about squadering name recognition! The Continental is more than a name, it’s an American automotive institution. How much did Ford blow trying to build-up the Ford 500 before it finally switched it to the Taurus? Same car, different nameplate, increased sales. This is a no-brainer.
I would like to see one car corporation buck the trend and continue to use actual model names. I’m tired of seeing all of them jump on the “me too” boat and start using meaningless alpha, numeric, or alpha-numeric model names. I suppose it makes it easier if you are going to market a vehicle on a global scale, but I still find the practice boring and passionless.
Lincoln has a long history and many historic names it could be using on its products.
The Continental needs to be a TRUE FLAGSHIP - the MKS is not the car to name Continental. Develop a V8 REAR DRIVE with “suicide” doors that drives like a 7 Series and there is your Continental!
Guess what - IT WOULD SELL TOO!!!
Come on Lincoln look at McGoverns concept again - thats the car!
I reckon it’s sign of success.
Would it be wrong to call Michelle Obama a MILF?
RSP: You’ve got an idea
YEEEEEEEEHAAAAAWWWWW ! NOW JJT’S RETARDED, MORONIC CHILDREN CAN LEARN THE ALPHABET
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAWWWWW !
RUN AND TELL THE YOUNG’N'S
They’re probably JK about the MKS and MKZ, LOL. IC Lincoln trying 2B like MB with all the letters, haha LMAO. Cadillac 2…CTS, STS, DTS, XLR, breaking news…Cadillac to rename the Escalade the…sorry, we are just waiting for them to draw 3 letters out of the hat. We’ll be right back with the new name.
Good, stupid naming scheme goes perfectly with crap cars.
JJT makes an important point. Obama and Kucinich are both banging some good looking stuff.
At least in Obama’s case I can see where he’s entitled, but Kucinich?
I mean … check this out! http://roissy.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/dennis-kucinich-and-wife.jpg
“Name recognition” as a concept should always be considered, but any name is only as good as it’s worth in the marketplace. When the 6-series came out, BMW announced that the even-numbered series would be coupes and the odd-numbered series would be sedans. Still, they decided not to tinker with the 3-series coupe because of the name recognition. Who wants to buy a new “M4″ anyway? Sounds like Lincoln isn’t dumb enough to rename the Navigator.
I personally don’t think it was a marketing fiasco to rename the Taurus something else, because when it left the market, the Taurus was synonymous with crappy Hertz rentals. Ford just should have named it something more inspired than “Five Hundred.”
With Lincoln, isn’t it the case of, what’s done is done, just don’t make it worse? Two years ago, there was a debate whether MKZ would be the M-K-Z or the Mark Z; I think it started as the Mark Z, and then they changed it to the M-K-Z. Who knows what it is now.
Alphanumeric names are what’s in. Stick with the MK nomenclature (but leave Navigator alone) and *build* a brand.
R-Head: Dennis K. Must be a skilled cunnilinguist, or she needed a green card. Doesn’t add up on the face.
sd650: maybe they’ll pull “B,” “M” and “W” out of the hat
scar: You’re right, but Five Hundred sounded like a knockoff of 300, and the latter is a much nicer car.
Is ford even trying anymore?
I don’t think this system precludes the possibility of bringing back the Continental name. Right now, Lincoln has nothing to put the Continental name on. In 3-4 years when their new RWD platform launches, they might. And if it isn’t the name of the car, it may very well be a trim level. Honestly, Continental is the only name Lincoln has besides Navigator. I think alphanumeric nomenclature is probably best in Lincoln’s case.
BTW, the MKS is a unique Lincoln product. It shares almost nothing with the Taurus/Sable other than a basic suspension design. The MK(?) 7-pass crossover won’t share anything with the Flex either. The body, engine, skin and most of the parts of both are unique to Lincoln.
Amen to that, Commodore.
I can understand Mulley wanting to be consistant and not change names too quickly, but this MK business is just plain stupid! I’m an enthusiast and get them confused!!
Forget MK. Call them MC. Like McX, McS, McZ. See, like those cars are mackdaddies or something.
Do you guys get the Lincoln Zephyr down there? Bringing back that name just blew me away. It’s like Ford thought all those good folks who’ve been living in their bomb shelters for the last 30 years and finally couldn’t find any more parts to keep their ‘78 Zephyr/Fairmont glued together would be running like a crazed herd to finally get a new one. I mean, if you thought bringing back the Taurus name was a goofy idea…
Johnny, I agree.
What’s next? Granada? Maverick?
…you forgot the Pinto jjt. Surely that must have been considered by the Ford brass before the new Focus was unveiled.
They will be easier to forget when Lincoln dies off.
Edsel
Swerve: Mercury will die, not Lincoln
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-garage5jan05,1,7541183.story?coll=la-headlines-business