Ford isn’t interesting in trying to sell Lincoln products in the soft European auto market.
The company is about to launch its new MKC crossover and last month, Ford launched Lincoln in China. Despite the push outside North America, there aren’t plans to expand into Europe, Ford CEO Alan Mullaly told AutoCar.
When the MKC launches, it will be powered exclusively by Ford’s EcoBoost engine lineup. The base car will use Ford’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder thatoffers 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, but it will be offered with the company’s 2.3-liter boosted four-banger also used in the upcoming 2015 Mustang. In the MKC’s application, the engine will make 275 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque.
Currently, Ford offers European customers a “Vignale” trim level that isn’t sold in the U.S., but arguably fills the same niche that Lincoln would. Currently, the company only offers a Vignale trimmed Mondeo (called the Fusion here), but the company is considering offering other models with the premium trim. Earlier this year it revealed an S-Max Vignale concept (interior pictured) that previewed a what a tarted up version of its MPV could look like.
[Source: AutoCar]
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