Lincoln Motor Company, founded in 1917 by Henry Leland and his son Wilfred, is the luxury vehicle division of American automobile manufacturer Ford Motor Company. Despite being positioned closely against its General Motors counterpart Cadillac, Lincoln is known for producing luxurious cars that are nicer than most cars they are priced against. The company has been a contender in the luxury car market, with U.S. sales of 103,587 last year compared to Cadillac’s 154,702. Lincoln is considered Ford’s fancier counterpart, but it is not always considered such by typical luxury car shoppers.
To compare to Cadillac and Lincoln, one would have to go way back to the Imperial brand. Ram sells only pickup trucks and is simply what used to be branded as Dodge. Jeep sells luxury SUVs with meticulous design and advanced technologies. The Lincoln MKC and MKX crossover SUVs are both legitimate luxury vehicles that seem well worth their price tags. However, owning a Lincoln can be expensive, with its average annual repair costs being high.
Lincoln cars have earned their reputation as one of the best luxury SUVs in Canada due to their key features, design elements, and high-end technologies. Lincoln has positioned itself as a premium brand that competes with luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Ford has owned Lincoln for more than 100 years, buying the automaker in 1922. The criteria for a vehicle to be considered “luxury” is not published, but the Lincoln Navigator were the first SUVs produced by these luxury car brands.
📹 Can Cadillac And Lincoln Win Back Their American Luxury Status?
Lincoln and Cadillac were once two aspirational car brands for American consumers. They slowly lost their dominance and …
Who drives Lincolns?
It is not uncommon for Hollywood celebrities to be seen driving Lincoln models, with the Navigator being the most popular choice. This SUV is renowned for its ability to provide privacy and seclusion. However, one of the aforementioned celebrities has opted for a vehicle other than the Navigator, which is worthy of commendation for its distinctive driving style.
Is Lincoln or Toyota better?
Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue ranked Toyota vehicles as more reliable than Lincoln vehicles, with Toyota ranking first in overall reliability. Lincoln is ranked 10th. This vehicle comparison is provided by Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America and is against federal law. Unauthorized use of this comparison is punishable by criminal and civil law. Removal of this watermark without written license and approval is an agreement, understanding, and stipulation by all parties involved.
Advanta-STAR is entitled to liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1, 250, 000. 00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR, jurisdiction and enforcement of legal claims in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon, and service of process through First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. Regenerative brakes improve fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy, while the Nautilus does not offer a regenerative braking system.
Where do Lincoln cars rank?
The Lincoln reliability rating is 3 out of 5 based on the cost, frequency, and severity of repairs. The average annual repair cost for all Lincoln models is $879, with an average visit to a repair shop of 0. 4 times a year for unscheduled repairs. The severity of repairs for Lincoln models is 15 out of 20, and the overall brand reliability is average. However, the reliability by individual model varies.
What class of car is a Lincoln?
Lincoln, an American automobile manufacturer owned by Ford, produces luxury SUVs and sedans, including the Corsair, MKZ, and Navigator. These vehicles offer a refined driving experience and a luxurious interior. Lincoln’s principal competitors include Cadillac, Lexus, and Buick.
Is Lincoln considered a luxury car?
Lincoln Motor Company, a luxury vehicle division of Ford, was acquired by Ford in 1922 for $8 million. Lincoln is now showcasing its vehicles like the Navigator and Nautilus, making a comeback in the market. The Lincoln brand was born as Henry Ford wanted a standalone luxury brand to make luxury vehicles under the Ford name. Lincoln vehicles are made in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the Nautilus assembly in Ontario, Canada, and the Aviator in Chicago, Illinois.
The Lincoln Corsair and Navigator are both made in Louisville, Kentucky, ensuring that each Lincoln is made with care and precision. Visit Jack Demmer Lincoln to see why they have taken the luxury vehicle market.
Are Lincolns high quality?
Lincoln is a high-quality luxury brand with high reliability ratings compared to other luxury brands. Despite not being the most fuel-efficient or affordable nameplate, Lincoln is a good choice for those who like the Ford platform but want more from the Blue Oval. The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus won recognition from KBB for its low cost of ownership in the luxury mid-size SUV/crossover segment, costing $61, 770 to own for five years.
This is lower than the Cadillac XT5, Acura MDX, and Buick Enclave, which cost around $63, 000 to own for the same period. J. D. Power awarded the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus the highest award in quality among competitors in the midsize premium/luxury SUV segment, scoring 88 out of 100 in quality and reliability.
Is Lincoln an old man’s car?
Manufacturers have shifted their focus towards younger buyers, leading to a decrease in the choice of elderly-friendly cars. In the United States, manufacturers sponsor events that typically attract younger people with cars styled to attract drivers who seek contemporary design. Manufacturers are reluctant to be seen as producing vehicles for the older generation and the reputation that comes with it.
Traditionally, brands such as Buick, Cadillac, and the Lincoln-Mercury line were the top choices for older buyers, but sales of cars to older buyers have increased more towards the basic versions of mainstream vehicles.
Car makers have gradually been adapting vehicles to be elderly-friendly without necessarily targeting these features at older drivers. For instance, larger door handles and improved lighting are beneficial to the older driver while being discreet enough that younger drivers will not associate the changes with older age. Ford’s ergonomics supervisor suggested that the company is not aiming to build cars specifically for older people, because they will not buy them.
Instead, discreet changes to lighting or technologies such as parking aids are designed to help drivers of all ages. Although car makers are increasingly adding gadgets that can aid older drivers, little thought is given as to how they may be a distraction to older drivers.
Is Lincoln an old person car?
Manufacturers have shifted their focus towards younger buyers, leading to a decrease in the choice of elderly-friendly cars. In the United States, manufacturers sponsor events that typically attract younger people with cars styled to attract drivers who seek contemporary design. Manufacturers are reluctant to be seen as producing vehicles for the older generation and the reputation that comes with it.
Traditionally, brands such as Buick, Cadillac, and the Lincoln-Mercury line were the top choices for older buyers, but sales of cars to older buyers have increased more towards the basic versions of mainstream vehicles.
Car makers have gradually been adapting vehicles to be elderly-friendly without necessarily targeting these features at older drivers. For instance, larger door handles and improved lighting are beneficial to the older driver while being discreet enough that younger drivers will not associate the changes with older age. Ford’s ergonomics supervisor suggested that the company is not aiming to build cars specifically for older people, because they will not buy them.
Instead, discreet changes to lighting or technologies such as parking aids are designed to help drivers of all ages. Although car makers are increasingly adding gadgets that can aid older drivers, little thought is given as to how they may be a distraction to older drivers.
Why do people buy Lincolns?
Lincoln offers a distinctive combination of pioneering technologies, unparalleled connectivity, and exemplary interior amenities, collectively providing a genuinely meaningful experience.
What is the most luxurious Lincoln?
The 2021 Lincoln Navigator is a luxurious full-size SUV that is poised to transform the automotive industry in the United States.
📹 New Lincoln Model L100 Concept has a Cinema Floor
The new Model L100 Concept pays homage to the 1922 Lincoln Model L. The L100 Concept features sleek, aero-influenced …
They didn’t mention pricing in the 50’s and 60’s. Cadillacs only cost about twice what a regular family car cost while a Mercedes was 4X as expensive. This gave foreign brands an “old money” or “serious money” image. This price structure lead to de-contenting cars through the 60’s and 70’s until there was no real difference between a Caddy and a loaded up Chevy. Cadillac had the best V8 in the world in 1950 an pioneered AC and electric windows. By 1970…it was just another GM car with no real prestige or presence. By 1970, the old shop foreman could buy a Caddy….why would the boss want the same car? If they had kept the pricing structure of the 1930’s and put 4-5x more money into the cars and development, they could have avoided all this.
Let me correct you. They didn’t lose their market to prestige imports. They lost market share by stupidly losing their focus on the luxury market. They both became little mid-sized cars with enough plastic to supply Mattel for a decade. To stress my point; Our family has purchased three Cadillac Fleetwoods and two Sedan DeVilles, we owned two Lincoln Mark 4’s and 5’s as well as three Town Cars. None of us has ever owned a Mercedes or Audi sedan. The reason is clear. Both brands lost their focus trying to be everything to everyone. Now they are just junk.
Those legendary Cadillacs and Lincolns of the 50s and 60s looked so ornate, almost like jewelry. Style was definitely the name of the game from the flamboyant 50s to the sleek 60s. I especially like the thin steering wheel which allows you to control these land yachts with your pinky. Modern fat steering wheels feel out of place in these cars. Modern Cadillacs and Lincolns also don’t feel as roomy as the old ones. They have to find a way to somehow combine the style of the past with modern technology and safety.
I don’t know how you can call the Tesla Model 3 or Y “premium.” They’re premium priced, but from a materials quality and fit and finish standpoint, they’re in the same class as Chevy or Ford. As BEV powertrains spread (and if the other manufacturers ever catch up to Tesla’s lead in powertrain and battery management), Tesla’s going to have to either reduce their prices or drastically improve the build and materials quality of their cars.
Here’s the problem with US made cars, they offer significantly less quality at a marked up value. They have been sitting on their high horse of being American brand for years and we now see that it costed them the relationship with many consumers. Brands like Honda, KIA, and Toyota are now being shopped for generations to come simply cause they offer more than standard model American vehicles. I’m a huge fan of the Chevy brand as it was my first vehicle, but I’d rather buy a second hand fully loaded Honda Accord sport than a brand new standard model Malibu cause I know the features alone blows Chevy out of the water.
I have a slightly different take. Back in the 1950’s, when I was a kid, most cars were poor quality. So you bought a Cadillac or Lincoln not just for pristige but for quality. In the 1960’s and 70’s quality of all cars improved, especially with the Japanese imports, reducing the significance of the luxury brand of car.
Agreed, until GM’s quality specifically comes close to that of the overseas competition, they are deservedly losing sales to better made overseas models. I say this as someone who has owned GMs (my first car was a GM) and until I drove my first import, I thought all cars had rattles, broke several times a year, and were basically supposed to wallow while going down the highway. One of my early jobs in my 20’s, was one where I ferried customer’s cars from one city to another nearby one. This is where I discovered just how much of a difference there was between Mercs, BMWs, Cadillacs, Toyotas and pretty much every major brand of car. This is where I discovered how much better made overseas cars were than our own American ones. And it doesn’t help that Cadillac’s have gotten uglier and uglier.
Both brands reached a toxic point where they are almost beyond redemption. Gen X and Millennials associate both with the garbage built and marketed to senior citizens throughout the 80’s and 90’s. I thought it was odd GM didn’t axe Buick when they ended the other brands, and then tried to pitch Buick to the younger generation. Buick was the quintessential old person car for our entire lives! No amount of marketing is going to undo decades of engrained perception. Lincoln and Cadillac would both be in that same boat if it weren’t for the goodwill they gained with the first Navigator and Escalade, those broke the mold, but then they let both go stale and lost what little ground they had made in the minds of the younger buyers. I’d bet the Escalade brand has more value than the Cadillac brand does (much like The Ram brand held more value than Dodge).
I LOVE my 2017 Lincoln Continental, I really wish they kept making them, but American’s seem to want SUV’s. Nothing against SUV’s, but they have no style and are boring. The Lincoln Continental is just so classy, and the design inside and out was so well done. The Continental was all about large, quiet, refinement, comfort American cruiser, with great lines, plus has all wheel drive. Really wish they stuck around, mine has the full glass roof, so nice. I test drove the Cadillac CT6, also had All Wheel Drive, it is also a large, very nice car, it is a lighter car, due to using Aluminum, it is the faster car, but I really didn’t care about high speed, I am not going to a track, I wanted the heavy, comfy, American large luxury sedan. the Lincoln Continental style inside and out was better, in my opinion. I feel the materials used inside are slightly better in the Lincoln, better layout and the seats are just amazing. Test drove the Lincoln after the Cadillac and I was sold on the Lincoln. Ford/Lincoln I feel really turned that brand around, but so sad no more Continental. Also, sad no more Cadillac CT6. Wish more American’s bought sedans. One last side note, one other thing that turned me off on the Cadillac I just hate the alpha numeric names, CT6 sounds like a calculator model number. Should have named it the Seville or the Sedan Deville, Loved how Lincoln brought back real names to the cars and SUVs, sad the Continental is gone. They nailed it.
I remember an article published in the late 80s where they studied the actual demographics of who bought a Cadillac: a retired blue-collar man. In most cases is was the very last car they ever bought, and it had been that way since the 60s. It wasn’t a luxury car to the people that they wanted to sell it to.
No. It is over for them. They lost the very core they were a part of. Unless they go back to making living rooms on wheels they are over. I sat in a 70s Cadillac and I never wanted to leave. Such beauty and comfort.. They just knew what they were doing back then. Don’t get me started on Lincoln. They had the town car market without competition. They were the “limousine”. And they just gave it up. Pretty stupid if you ask me. They should go back to producing what they used to..
We have the new Continental and absolutely love it. Sadly, it was canceled too soon. The biggest mistake Lincoln has made recently is not putting the suicide doors on all Continentals. It would have sold 2x as many. Still a great car with unmatched comfort in the front seats. My Audi S8 was amazingly comfortable, but it cannot touch the Continental’s front seats.
You can thank the bean counters at GM for demise of Cadillac. Between the V8-6-4, the diesel, the aluminum V8’s and the lack of distinctive styling, they were bound to fall out of favor with the American buyer. Their products of late share almost everything with the cheaper Chevrolet. Why spend the extra money? In my opinion the Lexus was the make that put final nails in the coffin. I can afford a Cadillac, but I wouldn’t even consider it.
Quality always shows. Unlike probably every other poster here, I actually BUILT cars, in Tarrytown NY. We were contracted to build 59 cars an hour. We never, ever built less than 63, and usually 65. We actually went to management and said “We could build you a Rolls Royce – if you’d slow the line down to 55 cars an hour, maximum”. They didn’t even laugh. What counted was NUMBERS, not quality. And the “management” didn’t WANT the cars to last – they wanted you buying a new one at least every three years. This was true all across GM and probably Ford as well. Chrysler had such legendary quality control problems we never took them seriously I mean, they got sued by the US government because the Aspen/Volare had such bad rust problems!
I’ve had a few Cadillac’s and the main thing that I have noticed is that they sure got smaller interior size especially. When we were taking my father to the hospital for treatments I had a 93 Sedan Deville. He could just get in the back seat by himself with the bigger rear doors and higher roof line. When we got to the 98’s it got a little bit harder for him. Come 2004 he just couldn’t” fold up” enough to sit in the back anymore. I feel very strongly that if they would make a good 4door sedan. The size of the 93 at least. They would have a winner. People want the style of a Cadillac and always will. But not all of us can climb up into a Escalade just to have the interior room. And pay up to 90,000 +. There technology has improved so much that the engineers could build something a lot better than the old 4.6. Longer and wider please. At least one model and see what happens.
I’ve had two Cadillacs loved both; If American car makers would make cars that don’t systematically break down, one thing after another, as soon as the warranty runs out, Maybe they’d sell a lot more cars and folks would be more loyal to your brand. I drive a Toyota now with 99% less problems after warranty expired.
After 35 years of buying a dozen different top of the line Honda and Acura products, on a whim, during the pandemic, I bought a fully loaded 2020 Lincoln Continental. The Continental is a nice space to be in, plus it is fast, nimble, quiet, and has a silky smooth ride. It is also bristling with modern tech features. It gives me hope, American manufacturers can compete and survive.
Short answer No. That ship has sailed long ago. Luxury isn’t just car looks, fit and finish. Luxury is perception, marketing and branding more than anything. I drive a Benz and can tell you that my 1991 3000GT had better interior than this squeaky ass W212. But people no matter what love this damn car and I’m just like I’ve seen and had better from less. Here’s how they could possibly get it back. Long wheelbase, (Rolls Royce) tall, squeak free interior meaning the damn materials don’t sound like a children’s toy 🤦🏾♂️ make the car accessible to owner servicing. I get manufactures need to allow dealers to service cars to make profit but if you look back or at any successful car that was luxury could be serviced by the owner. Here’s the thing, owners up in age generally take their cars to be serviced out of convenience. Why do owners like to wrench, b/c it says that car is mine. I can teach my child something. Right now the industry is greedy and consumers are being shafted off the deep end because, of greed and financial illiteracy among many. I digress. A luxury car isn’t a sports car. Get back to the 80s Mercedes and BMW quality then you’d have something on your hands. The last good American Luxury car was the Lincoln Coach Door, prior it was a long 30yr gap.
What they are going to have to do which they won’t! Is Lower the prices and offer superior service. No one even trusts these cars. They need to do like Hyundai. Hyundai are wack! But sell like hell! They are cheaper and offer the best warranty. Then Hyundai had the audacity to come out with a luxury line! Lol. People know Lexus cars are gonna last and not gonna cost youvalot in maintenance. What does American luxury cars have to offer outside of a terrible maintenance record. Those cars aren’t bad but they aren’t doing anything better than the other luxury cars and people know feel those cars’ maintenance record sucks. I’m in the market for a luxury car. If Cadillac were cheaper…I would. Or if they offered a warranty or good routine maintenance agreement. They have to do those things and offer a great product. Trust me no one is checking for Cadillacs or Lincolns.
Lack of investments and innovation. Thing they looked at the bottom line and did not want to invest enough into research and quality. Thats often the problem with leaders with share options. They`re in for the short run and rake up money for themselfs. Just look at how the in general (outside car industry) exploit the US people by end production in the US and start up in China. Bad for the country, the US worker and even the company in the long run (as the chinese stole the technology). Now, the US hardly has any manufactoring left. Its gone. So is the skills and the workers. But the CEO`s and shareholders got filthy rich!! Cant believe you let them do it!
I was raised on domestics, and five of my first six vehicles were domestics (one Ford and one Chevy from the 1970s, three Chryslers from the late 1980s and early 1990s). When we needed a station wagon in 2001, our options were the Subaru Legacy, the Saturn LW, and the VW Passat. My wife liked the Passat, which we still own. Even she noticed the improvement in handling and driving experience. It has been VW/Audi for us ever since.
The new cars are great in many ways but the big Caddys of the 50s and 60s were so distinctive and special both in design and luxury that no other brand could compete with them. The extra money made all the difference in quality too. When I was only 19 years old in the RCAF in 1968 I had a beautiful 1959 de Ville 4 door hardtop and later two 1961 Coupe de Ville models. They had all the special options and had such luxurious upholstery. All three had high performance 390 cu in engines and 4 speed overdrive Hydramatics which pushed them easily over 125-130 mph and still gave approx 21 mpg cruising at 75 mph. Not bad for a 4800 lb bullet with a 130 inch wheel base. They could even surprise the Roadrunners with their amazing top end. I still love them today. God Bless America. RS, Maj Ret, Alberta, Canada.
Sadly, no. Both Cadillac and Lincoln are rudderless. Cadillac has spent a couple decades trying unsuccessfully to be an American copy of BMW M division and Mercedes AMG. But that market of buyers wanting a fast sedan is vanishingly small. Lincoln has been nothing more than an upscale Ford trim level, with nothing special to recommend it.
In California in West L.A when I drive through these neighborhoods pretty much every driveway features: Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Range Rover, Lexus, Tesla! Very, very few Navigators or Escalade’s no sedans from Cadillac or Lincoln. The Euro brands seem to carry prestige that the American brands no longer have. If things don’t change soon we might sadly see the end of Cadillac and Lincoln.When the brands go electric and if Lincoln and Cadillac misstep they are completely dead! I really hope they can survive.
I think Cadillac and Lincoln are both modern-day losers because they departed from what made them great cars. There’s nothing wrong with being a beautiful gorgeous land yacht. That is what made Cadillac and Lincoln great cars. Then came the hack and slash kids that reduced their beautiful land yachts to compacts and some ugly square looking SUVs. What a bunch of atrocious mistakes!
Forgot to mention: 1) Quality, reliability 2) (Pre & post purchase) Customer Service 3) Price I will be honest here: I am not American & have never lived in America. I live in Asia & am from Australia. Only Tesla has any brand recognition in this region. USA cars are poorly built/designed, zero brand value/perception. Look at what Toyota, Honda and now Hyundai have done: forged brands first on price, then price + quality + service, then price + quality + service + design. The Chinese will be next. If Tesla can do it, any US car manufacturer can.
Cadillac’s target audience started dying in large numbers during the 90’s so Fleetwood’s, Coupe De Ville’s, Seville’s and Eldorado’s were no longer selling. Their attempts at “European” cars (Cimarron, Catera and Allante all failed due to lousy engineering and quality) and younger buyers prefer Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and Infinity along with many other choices. The Cadillac’s of the last 20 years with the exception of the DTS were all attempts at their own “Mercedes” or “BMW” and again have failed due to boring styling, bad engines (3.6) and electrical glitches like the cue screen problems. Their crossovers are all average at best in both styling and reliability. Their only star is the Escalade which is extremely expensive and not without quality issues itself. Cadillac meant something completely different as a brand when GM controlled almost 50% of the market and domestics were the only luxury offering. As for Lincoln, I’m surprised Ford even keeps it around. It’s one of the least reliable vehicles made today.
The problem with Cadillacs and Lincolns today is that they are completely indistinguishable from everything else on the road. Faceless, gray corporate blobs that resemble any Toyota/Kia/Honda etc. Bring back the long, low, cushy sedans styled like the 1960s and 1970s – with 30+ paint and interior color choices, fabric/leather options, and more but with today’s engine power and efficiency. Those are the cars that will interest buyers again.
Tbh I think new Cadillacs and Lincolns look really nice. They all might have similar designs but it’s still kinda new. The german brands have just evolved the same design for decades and I find it really boring. I do hope they get better but knowing their parent companies histories I wouldn’t bet on it.
I got a used 04 Navigator, best car I’ve ever owned. Seems mostly german engineering, previous car was a VW and I see many similarities in suspension/ frame design. Heard my whole life how american cars past the 70’s were junk, so I stayed away from them, after getting the Lincoln, I wish I’d gone domestic sooner, would have saved a lot of maintenance time and cost in my life
Speaking for the post 2000 crowd, nobody wants an American car unless it’s a truck. Nothing in the Ford, Chevy, Dodge,or gmc lineup can match the status of a BMW or Audi. We don’t want these trash ass American cars anymore. Half the American sedans are overpriced and come with 0 of the included tech that comes in Kias, Hyundai, and Nissan. The big ass tanks like suburbans and expeditions and Escalades aren’t anywhere near are eye catching as an X7. Lincoln has no hope. I can almost guarantee nobody (referring to most past 2000) would even look in a Lincoln dealerships direction just because they’re just pop-pop cars. Not a problem but it’s not a good narrative with younger people. Idk how American car brands can win over the younger gen again. Higher expectations and reliability can’t come with any crazy price tags either because I can grab a old Camry for 2 racks and it might last the next 10 years. There’s no new American car beating that
The market for “traditional” American luxury isn’t there anymore (and really hasn’t been there for about 20-25 years). The problem is American cars can’t match the Europeans or Japanese on the objective measures, and yet really haven’t been able to find a new identity that characterizes “American luxury”.
First impressions matter a lot. The first time I drove an E46 BMW 330i I was enamored with its simplicity, stylishness, quality, and later, when working on it, its engineering. Comparing it to the chintzy plastic, odd design choices, and obvious rebadging of similar Cadillac and Lincoln products of that time, it was clear which was the better luxury car. I was very happy to see Cadillac take BMW head on with their CTS and ATS. Cadillac had quickly matched BMW in performance and were making progress in refinement only to drop it all and focus on rebadging Chevy SUVs. An example of this was the Cadillac SRX which in its first iteration was a Cadillac specific platform and won many awards. By 2010, Cadillac threw it all away to instead reskin a Chevy Impala as the new SRX. It was about $10,000 cheaper than its predecessor but it was also an inferior product. That didn’t matter to GM though as it became their best selling vehicle. It made them a lot of money, but did nothing to develop their brand. BMW on the other hand took the qualities that they cultivated over years of development to organically create SUV and crossover products from the ground up. Until American companies stop making short term profit the ultimate goal of their business model, they will never retake their place at the top of the luxury brand segment.
Superb article. You correctly pointed out that Lincoln cars have amazing interiors. Town Car was my favorite, and then came the Continental. I think Continental was Town Car rebadged, as the latter was introduced in place of Continental, and Continental came back to the helm again after Town Car got discontinued in 2011. I also loved the shape and style of the MKS and MKZ. Lincoln SUVs, esp. Navigator, are off course so good looking and luxurious. Ditto with Cadillac’s Escalade. Since American car makers specialize in making big cars, it seems they have hit upon their strength in the big car (SUV/ Trucks/ Van) segment, and with US customers going more for bigger cars now, these companies have a chance to lift up their revenue and profitability again.
Lincoln should bring back the Towncar. It is spacious, quiet, luxurious, has a bank vault solid body, with a rear drive V-8 engine, and ride quality only the most expensive Rolls Royce can outclass. That is a definition of ” luxury “. Luxury means serene and comfort. Unfortunately, the corporate big wigs of these American car companies couldn’t focus on luxury and tries to be all things to all people. They are downsizing, putting in small V-6 turbo engines that whines irritatingly, making the car bodies with thinner sheet metal, putting in stiff tires and dialing the suspension firm and lowering the vehicle so this ” new luxury ” vehicle can keep up with the more sporty vehicles. They are jacking up the price and pays big money for advertisement to a new generation of car buyers who refuse to be hoodwink. You want to recapture the ” luxury car ” market, then make a reliable, spacious, comfortable, nice looking luxury car. Don’t make a hybrid luxury/sporty/performance/electric all wrap into one vehicle. That’s abnormal.
It’s easier to make a Luxury SUV and charge $100,000 for it than it is to build a Luxury car and charge over $70,000. Perfect example: The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is technologically superior and more powerful than the Escalade and Navigator – coming with features that the MORE EXPENSIVE Mercedes EQS is debuting with: ie the Hyperscreen. They can move Wagoneers at $89,000 and $100,000 Grand Wagoneers simply because THEY ARE HUGE, COMFORTABLE and SEAT 7 PEOPLE. The Navigator was $80,000 – $100,000+, The Escalade is $82,000 – $100,000+ and they both sell for the same reason. HOWEVER, Cadillac’s XTS and CT6 were seen as sales failures. Lincoln’s Continental was cancelled – seen as a failure. But the Germans can build S-classes, and BMW 7’s that sell at or around the same price as the American luxury SUV and easily sell. BOTTOM LINE: Americans are looking for BIG CARS with luxury features, good looks and exclusivity.
Lincoln and Cadillac lost their dominance in 1971. At that time, MBZ and BMw were virtually unknown and the only car above them was Rolls Royce. Staring in 1972, The Detroit Dark Ages began and would last for 3 decades. By the mid 80’s Mercedes and BMw were the clearly superior automobiles and in 1990 Lexus added themselves to the pair. Nissan and Honda tried with Infiniti and Acura, but both failed. There were moments of hope though. The 1976-79 Cadillac Seville was world class, and the Continentall reintroduced in 2015 gave hope. The problem was the Continental was not priced high enough – you could get one for $45k. Cadillac offered great products in the 2000’s: XLR, ELR, CTS, ATS, XTS, CT6. the problem was that they didn’t stick with any ofthem long enough, and over-emphasized boy racer handling performance – clearly the domain of BMW, while they downplayed luxury. Big Mistake. Now Lucid air has shamed them both showing what a new generation luxury car needs to beL Cool, exclusive and expesive.
As my mother always has a saying “Nothing stays at the top forever ” and that is true. It also depends on what part of Country you live in or what side of the town you live in. For example, I used to live in Denver, CO, I have never seen so many Audi & Subaru in my life. There was only one Lincoln Dealership I knew of,and only 3 Cadillac Dealership’s. I now live in Minneapolis,MN and when first moving out here seeing brand-new Lincoln’s were so foreign to me…lol Still to this day there are parts of the Country that domestic cars are more popular than foreign vehicles. When I lived in Florida they have Huge Chevrolet & Cadillac Dealership’s than what I am used to..lol I was at a Carmax once, test driving a Acura, the Sales rep told me he used to Work at a Honda dealership in North Carolina and the Honda’s didn’t sell as much as Domestic Dealership’s did. But once when he lived in upstate New York, the Honda’s sold like hotcakes.
I was looking for an entry level premium SUV and I was excited after seeing the list advanced features in German Big 3 ( Merc, BMW n Audi)… I was shocked to see the lack of features for comparable models in Lincoln and Cadillac… I think they still don’t even know that people can easily compare the features side by side of different cars!!! I am not sure what prompts people to buy Lincoln or Cadillac when we can buy super reliable German cars with lot more features 😎
The Nail in the coffin for both brands, was going to front wheel drive, on sub-premium models. They jumped onto that bandwagon, even as all the other premium luxury brands, continued on with RWD. The only reason to do that, would be to share platforms with their corporate standard models, to maximize profits. Whatever rear drive models they kept, were made on Ford and Chevrolet chassis, with identical drive train, suspension, electrical parts, as their cheaper brands, The Executives thought the consumers wouldn’t notice, but the younger, non traditional buyers, weren’t fooled.
as someone that can, fortunately, indulge in the higher end vehicles i have always been a fan of mercedes (i currently have 3) and porsche. i have owned land rover hse but the reliability was exceptionally poor. i purchased a 2020 lincoln aviator and it’s a wonderful machine. luxurious interior. smooth and powerful ride. however, numerous glitches with it but nothing that really puts me off. what does, is the dealership: they (in canada, anyway) don’t understand the the buying and overall experience. they have no class. their showrooms still cater to the ford focus crowd. their personnel are not at all in tune with relating to the type of customer that they are trying to attract. their service team unpolished. i have actually written to them and answered their surveys but have never had any response, even when contacted for “opinion” by the dealership. they really need to step up their game if they want a premium product to be accepted as such. imo.
I do not like SUVs period I am a pickup truck man I also like Firebirds & Camaros but I like classic Luxury I would take a completely restored 65 Coupe Deville over anything Cadillac builds now I love driving I don’t understand why people want vehicles that Park & Drive them selves I do not get it it makes no sense to me if you hate driving then Walk or Bike or take the Bus
The Lincoln Continental had tons of hope. If they made the Continental, a V8 Front Engine, RWD/AWD, it would have been a serious contender to the Genesis G90, Cadillac ST6, BMW 7, Audi A8, Lexus LS, Volvo S90, Mercedes S-class sedans. The great thing about Lincoln now, is that they mostly make CUVs and Suvs and they have been doing good so far. Cadillac is trying to be like BMW/Audi nowadays.
I think a great thing to do would be to use the old school body styles with the newest electric technology. Gives us the best of both worlds. Minus the sound, of course 😢. Electrics are very powerful and torque rich like big muscle car V8s… But they get great efficiency (sort-of, equivalent, depending on your particular charging situation). Finally, they require a lot less maintenance and have way less moving parts so have a lot less chance of breaking.
I have a 2017 Lincoln MKZ it has over 207,000 miles on it and everything still works like a champ! I bought the car cause a friend of mine has a 2013 with over 330k miles on them! I have friends that have Cadillac cars and have had to replace transmissions with less then 120k miles. The new Lincoln vehicles look way nicer and my next purchase will be either a navigator or maybe Cadillac Escalade. I’m sure both companies will come back strong, also I’m 29 years old and used to think Lincoln’s were old people cars 😅
European companies pay 2.5% to import their vehicles to the US and then also need to arrange transport, so there should be some expense advantage for “domestic” cars. Meanwhile, Lincoln and Cadillac make models in North America (increasingly not in the U.S.) and want to price-match, oftentimes superior imports. Why should I pay the same for a model made here and arguably not designed as well? The fix is to pony up and actually make their cars as nice as the imports or drop the prices. Unfortunately, for many model classes you can also get an Acura or Lexus that are basically as nice, more reliable, better resale.. only drawback is performance vs some specific Cadillac models. Performance doesn’t matter very much to like 80% of buyers (see all of the base luxury cars on the road). Genesis is also here to further eat the lunch of Cadillac and Lincoln. They are both done, Lincoln even more so.
I have to be honest BMW was mentioned way to many times as a bench mark. Besides a jaguar, they are probably one of the least reliable vehicles in the market place. Yes, they do “look” nice. I drive Mercedes with the exception of a few large GM SUVs. Never had an ounce of a problem with either. I had a 2014 E class put 186k on it in 4 years. Never kept a car that long. My 18 E class is getting ready to be traded. 78k miles. No electrical or mechanical issues. However, lots of trim problems. So I’m taking delivery of a new Panamera next week. 😀
I have enjoyed every CNBC automotive report you guys have put out. I think the nostalgia with these two brands are sadly a thing of the past. I don’t know what to do for a lux brand but GM really missed out on revitalizing the Pontiac brand which had a much younger fan base than Cadillac. Lincoln on the other hand suffers the same old man stigma. Perhaps it might take renaming these brands to get GM and Ford the attention and sales they want.
For me at least I used to own a 1986 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. Sure the thing was slow but I sure think it gave a sharp and “professional” appearance, all while cursing the block in extremely comfortable couch seats. You go over bumps and its like they aren’t even there. Car just bounces around and continues. It made you feel “big” with the large hood, having the emblem in the front gave it almost a Rolls Royce sense of prestige. Fast forward to today and I must say I am not really that big of a fan anymore for Cadillac or GM in general. Yes my Fleetwood had some plastic but the dash wasn’t. The doors had this super soft trim as well, and the leather was very nice. In modern cars how can you feel prestige with plastic fantastic dash, doors, and just about everything else. Everything also needs to be “sporty” nowadays so they ride relatively harsh and the sport seats don’t really let you melt like the old cars, more like I’m sitting in a regular car. That’s my problem, they just feel “regular”, at which point I’d get a Tahoe over the Escalade. Honestly though in addition to everything GM has some rough reliability problems. I’d save my money and buy another loaded Honda Pilot and be happier (which we already did in 2017, it is very nice for the money (leathered up) and reliable). Also, my previous points mentioned earlier apply to Lincoln as well. Ford getting rid of the Panther platform (along with the Crown Vic, Grand Marque, Town Car) was a huge mistake. The last of the “old school” cars.
Not unless they both start building FULL-SIZE CARS again, and they won’t. The poor quality is a given in GM and Ford cars. Funny how Lexus is selling all the mid-size rear-wheel drive sedans they can produce yearly. Now with 5 liter engines and almost full-size wheelbases. Could it be that’s what the American driver REALLY WANTS??? FIAT/Chrysler is doing a land-office business selling them too.
I recently looked at the modern lineup with a $70k budget and decided to just by a classic instead. Modern American cars are appliances, it’s all just plastic and the ‘luxury’ you’re paying for is a badge, dials made in faux chrome and a year’s Sirius subscription. Plus why does everything have to be gray/charcoal rather than least leave an option?
Foreign cars are no better than American cars; sounds like a bunch of bullcrap. Nothing beats a Chevy or a Buick when it comes to the engine or easy to work on. Cadillacs and Lincoln have The best ride bar none; Cadillac leases out the mag ride dynamics to Audi, bmw, Mercedes’, Ferrari; bet you guys didn’t know that! Also if you’re in Europe they use Mercedes as cabs; the Chinese Love Buicks!!
This is another example of how CNBC produces hum-drum programs. It’s exactly why their version of Jay Leno’s Garage is such a snooze compared to his own YouTube website. Just like the American corporate car culture has been upstaged by startups like Tesla, these corporate content producers are being out-produced by independents.
It is NOT a surprise that American automakers lag behind the Japanese and the Germans. American automakers absolutely do NOT care about quality, reliability, handling, or service support at all. Also, absolutely NONE of the U.S. automaker care about the details at all. American cars are very expensive, marketed pieces of crap. I will obviously pick brands like Audi, BMW, and Lexus because of their much better quality; also, they are more dependable and last longer. Japanese and German cars have details finely turned for the most part. It is very clear that U.S. automakers cannot compete against brands like Toyota, Lexus, Audi, BMW, Honda, and Subaru. On top of that, cars like Audi and Lexus are far easier to drive and ride in as opposed to vehicles from any U.S. automaker. DETAILS MATTER SO MUCH…..
Cadillac and Lincoln are already dominating the Luxury Car market once again. They are the best cars and best value, aka bang for the buck cars out there.!!! Currently, one of our vehicles is a 2017 Continental. We go places and occasionally park near a Lexus, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, etc. I take a look at them and see that our Lincoln has everything and more than those over-priced SnobMobiles have, and at a far better value …Caddy, Lincoln, Ya-Baby.!!!
The first thing that needs to change, is to be done with those damn alpha-numeric names! Cadillac’s XT4, XT5, CT6,CTS, CT5-V! Lincoln is finally getting the idea, they recently just went back to actual names from their MKZ, MKS, MKT phase. STOP trying to outdo the Germans. Secondly, they need an edge, something that sets them apart and run with that! Why should I pick a Caddy over a BMW? Brand loyalty? NO! most caddy buyers are old or no longer living. Cadillac needs to reintroduce itself to this new generation! Same with Lincoln. But Lincoln has the quiet, comfortable, Sanctuary thing going for itself and that’s good! hone that! Be the best at it! Lastly, They need to show the world, not just the United States but the world what AMERICAN luxury is. And not America’s take on what we think German luxury in an automobile is. If your average American consumer wants to drive something that says “I have money, a high-paying job, and a big house” they’re not buying Cadillac or Lincoln. They’re choosing German cars and SUVs.
the problem is that these companies are creating fantastic concept cars that should be the full production models. but instead they create a concept to peak peoples hopes and dreams only to product a product that has little if anything to do with the concept. Ford/Lincoln understood this and made headways at producing vehicles far closer to their concept counterparts. but overall, both need to stop with the old antiquated selling techniques, its a failed strategy. These concepts need to be production models, not hopes and dreams. Porsche concept of the Carrera GT was bang on with the production model. thats what you should be doing. bringing forth innovation not pipe dreams.
How did Cadillac And Lincoln lose their American Luxury Status? How is this a mystery?! They both make @#$% cars. Companies like Apple show that Americans can craft well-designed products. But it seems like no American auto maker actually cares about craftsmanship or the joy of driving. Every model attempts to fill a market niche, or is designed by a committee of pencil pushers. By the nature of being luxury cars, buyers aren’t as price conscious as the average buyer. And from there, auto makers are mostly second-class on every metric I can think of (except maybe innovation). Driving Dynamics Performance Reliability Design and Ergonomics Fit and Finish It’s almost like they’re trying to make dull refrigerators on wheels.
Overpriced sticker prices (for average or rebadged vehicles), non-professional sales staff, ridiculously poor resale values, very disappointing dealership experiences (after purchase), not supporting their warranties … and I haven’t even mentioned the subpar build quality yet. After a few Cadillacs and even more Lincolns in my Family’s history … it doesn’t surprise me that most have moved onto Japanese and German cars. Especially with the build quality of Lexus. ‘Fool me once, shame on you’. ‘Fool me twice… shame on ME’. Quite often in Life people don’t get/give a third chance to get screwed over. Sadly, they lost me as a consumer, forever. Now I tell everyone to go a get a Toyota or a Lexus.
Poor quality, expensive for maintenance and repairs, most importantly poor and unfriendly customer service, extremely ugly design, and arrogant companies. Back in the old days there were only few choices to choose from, but nowadays, things and business environment have all changed, consumers have more control and selections over their own buying choices.
The new Cadillacs and Lincolns are nice, but they look more sporty than luxurious. I have a Cadillac DTS, and it’s comfortable, and have that “luxury” look. The model after the DTS is nice, but it look more sportier than the DTS. Overall, I would take a 60’s to 80’s Cadillac over these 2000’s Cadillacs any day, and twice on Sunday! The older Cadillacs and Lincolns are built better than the new ones!
Start firing the foreign “Designers” that were implanted to take down American Car Companies…. Thats a start… Have educated innovative designers that aren’t LAZY and want to take the time and effort into designing these. Making them all look the same ended this company. Bring fins back… watch them fly off the lots… You need a Designer GM?
Call me a company girl lol but I went from a Chevrolet to a Cadillac. I loved my old car, but I LOVE my new car. I think modern Cadillac and Lincoln need a new shake. A lot of people judge them on the slump years. Go to a car show. I think you may feel differently. Also, 100% was not expecting to love my new car as much as I do.
Without cracking jokes or trying to make witty comments, I’ll just tell it like it is. Weather you’re looking for muscle, luxury or even prestige. I really don’t see a need to look any further than GM, Ford or Chrysler, you’ll get a whole of those 3 things and in some cases blowing the foreign competition away. American brands these days have been pretty impressive…
I’ll never understand how anyone who works in the auto industry didn’t see this coming from the Japanese luxury brands. Now, GM and Ford are losing to the Koreans. In another 20 years will anyone even talk about American luxury brands? Probably not the way it’s going. They still badge engineer, badly. Buyers have figured out that they can buy a Buick in order to get a Cadillac for a lot less.
10:52 “Cadillac produced at that time what many considered some of the best cars it had ever made. (Their) vehicles got rave reviews from automotive journalists….” Of course car journalists raved about it. Overnight it had become a ‘sports car’, and to this day the one overarching infatuation which virtually every car reviewer has is that every car (or lately, S.U.V. / C.U.V.) MUST have a stiff suspension and be able to take corners without slowing down. Oh, and if it doesn’t accelerate to 100kph in at least 6 seconds, they also down-rate it to mehhh. If you doubt this, carefully read any random car review, and watch for euphemisms like “handling; turning; fun; sportiness” (<-a dead giveaway, that last one); etcetera. They may talk briefly about fuel economy, interior room or styling, but those are just fillers until they can get back to apparently the only fricking thing they really care about which is how fast and crazily the car can be made to drive. Because, you know, every street and road in the Western world has unlimited speed limits, and corners around which it's always best to drive at rally-like speeds. 13:40 "...auto industry analysts say one of the biggest problems both brands have is getting on a customer's consideration list. To do that, they may have to stop trying to be American versions of German sports sedans and try to carve out unique brand identities." Yeeaahhhh...... They already had that---it was called their previous brand identities---smooth, quiet ride; isolation from bumps and road noise; luxurious, heavily ornamented interiors, and (during certain periods) good reliability. But we know how well those qualities bore out. The ever gullible car buying public was introduced to what was sold to us as 'more sophisticated, understated' types of European cars, and then subsequently brainwashed by car journalists (see above gripe) who eagerly saddled up and rode that bandwagon until...well, the present day. To be fair, European cars did have desirable qualities that most North American models, at the time, didn't. But car buyers' eyes-glazed-over acceptance and wholesale embrace (to the exclusion of anything else) of the new European breed gave us what we have now---plain, almost exclusively black, spartan interiors, in dull, carbon copy bodies, devoid of style or interest. So! To answer the title's question: "Can Cadillac And Lincoln Win Back Their American Luxury Status?", I'd say the answer is no, because Western society has pretty much abandoned any concept of luxury---in any sense of the word. Dirty, torn T-shirt and stretched out, grubby sweats to go out in public? Sure. It's indicative of 'the way' now, and has been for quite a while.
Theirs a few reasons Cadillac and Lincoln have dropped in sales over the decades. First is the black eye American brands developed during the malaise era. Second is when the stock investors became more important than the actual purchasers. Then theres the bean counters taking more precedence than the actual designers. Ive only had two Lincolns. Both Mark lV’s. But always thought the Cadillac was a nicer, better built car.
The real problem for Cadillac and Lincoln is constantly copying BMW, Mercedes, or now Tesla is a losing strategy. When Cadillac and Lincoln were on top, it was back in the days when they made unashamedly ostentatious American cars; Large, roomy, comfortable, stylish, quiet, high-quality, and powerful, though not in a European “sporty” way. All of those traits are desirable to many regardless of what era a car is made, but they haven’t bothered to try and website this formula into a modern car. What I’ve noticed, though, is the more they got away from that formula, the more their sales suffered and why they are essentially dead today. Cadillac and Lincoln can’t play their own game anymore, nor beat others at theirs. Their best days are truly behind them.
I have owned European and Japanese vehicles. I now own a 2005 Ford Explorer Limited V8 and It’s quality and reliability is excellent. I have 200,000 miles on it and it has had few problems. I will definitely by another. The new Lincoln that I looked at was absolutely gorgeous. I see a comeback happening for American luxury automobiles.
Even American an American car like Ford, the European made and versions I think are better build! In the case of Cadillac and Lincoln’s their designs don’t go along with the new generations taste or needs, the same with Mercedes! The diferencies between a regular sedan and a luxury one are not like used to be!
There is a market for older Cars especially Lincoln’s, Cadillacs and full size cars made by GM and Ford. As for the Escalade, the Yukon Denali was designed to compete against the Navigator; but Cadillac dealers wanted their own model. Plus, many stars, athletes and musicians wanted a more luxury Suburban instead of having the vehicle converted.
I think if they just improved their reliability, that could be the X-factor. I’ve loved cadillacs my whole life and Ive owned 3 different cadillac CTS. The issue was always the reliability. There would always be one damn problem after another for no reason and randomly something would break down. My best friends owned Lincoln Navigators and they were constantly in and out of the mechanic repair shop, they always had a problem with their lincoln. I Recently bought a Lexus and it feels like God blessed this car because it hasnt given me one single problem yet. My CTS was more fun to drive but with the lexus, i have none of the hassles and i dont have to constantly take it in for repairs so I dont see myself leaving Lexus unless Cadillac really improves their reliability.
Time to refocus your products away from obnoxious gas-guzzlers made for obese boomers. A modern segment I think Cadillac could dominate would be sport-hybrids. A pretty limited segment in the US, but more popular in EU. I think some of the only choices here were Lexus GS450h, Infiniti Q50 hybrid, and Acura RLX hybrid. Lux sedans with 350-400hp yet achieve 30+ combined mpg.
Millennial here…I wish Cadillac made a modern version of the Eldorado. American automakers completely abandoned the 2 door personal luxury coupe that used to be the brand flapship cars for decades. Instead of Rivera’s, Continentals, Eldorado etc there are no options besides German and Japanese imports.
The real American fine car makers went bankrupt during the Great Depression. Or like the old Packard automobile company they were forced to during the depression to start mass producing mediocre cars to survive.Cadillac and Lincoln survive because they had the financial resources of Ford and General Motors to prop them up. What emerged after World War II was essentially big fat rolling pieces of costume jewelry On wheels. The problem with the Cadillac in Lincoln today as they have an image problem. The image they have this as being all fashion geriatric cars for the elderly people. The new Lincoln aviator is a very good SUV and attractively priced when compared to the Land rover. But because it is a Lincoln most people will buy a two year old Land Rover as opposed to buying the aviator. Cadillacs current crop of crossovers and SUVs are hideous. The new Cadillac Escalante is so gigantic I don’t see how anyone living in a big city can maneuver that monster around. Although this New electric seems promising The root of the problem is The Cadillac brand is damaged. Car brands like all products become associated with the people who buy them. I believe General Motors own marketing data shows the average age of a Cadillac buyer is in their late 50s. My current car is a 2012 Cadillac SRX which was a rare success story for Cadillac . In 2017 the Srx became the XT5 and sales tanked.
It cannot be overstated how disastrous an effect the auto workers union has been on the American auto industry. Foreign companies starting factories here are very careful to NOT unionize, or they will not be profitable. You don’t see them starting up factories in Detroit either. The overwhelming depth of legacy carmaking experience in Detroit is not an important issue. Much more important is being able to turn a profit. They can do so easily without unions, using American labor. Most of Detroit’s lineup is unprofitable, especially the small car segment. They typically re-badge Japanese cars or outsource the factories to Mexico. This is all done to avoid the unions, which are pure cancer for the auto industry and indeed any industry that needs to remain profitable.
Let everyone go chase BMWs Performance Luxury, Perfect chance for Cadillac & Lincoln to remind the world why you buy a real Lincoln or Cadillac anyway. Lincoln & Cadillac need to dull down the Luxury by Technology and once again return to the Luxury by Isolation we fell in love with. Brands have an identity crisis when other (specifically foreign) automakers enter a certain domain in the industry say compacts, or in this case P luxury in America and essentially catch everyone with their pants down who had no such tier in their bracket. They know the Big Dogs dominate over here and we know the Big Dogs Benz and Bmw dominate over there and each side tries to incorporate the other sides strengths into themselves thus cadillac (lately) creating V and BMW introducing the large 7 series in 1977. If people wanna stray away toward performance luxury, LET THEM GO, no need to chase. Its a great opportunity to not only win back those american buyers but remind the world that THIS is what it means to own an american luxury brand car.
Maybe… make better cars and get competent leadership? It’s not rocket science: – They’re super expensive compared to Japanese luxury. – Don’t compete with the performance/quality of German luxury. – Aren’t in the same segment as Rolls/Bentley. – Have allowed Tesla to remain unopposed in luxury electric for over a decade now. – Have utterly failed to capitalize on their popularity/high status in China. – Young Americans think they’re uncool/overpriced, old Americans think they’re just not as good as the alternatives. So what are they really trying to do here? They have such great potential but just have no exciting products to offer yet have basically had solutions spelled out for them both. Cadillac should have positioned itself as a direct BMW/Mercedes/Infiniti/Lexus competitor. Literally all they have to do is make a cheaper offering that looks great (which they were fully capable of in the 2000s) and keep some of that rawness that both BMW purists (the ones who prefer the 80s-early 10s models) and Cadillac/American Muscle fans would appreciate. What did they do instead? Release slow, ugly, $80k+ gas guzzling behemoths that only loyal lunatics want. Lincoln should have gone all hybrid/electric years ago and gone after Tesla right out the gate (there’s even been speculation of a Tesla-Ford merger for a long time now). They’ve just been releasing rebadged Fords for decades but with a 15-25% markup. No wonder no one is buying them when there’s always been an almost identical Ford just on the other side of the lot.
Name is tarnished too much. Nobody will ever buy a Lincoln over a Benz. It’s just not the same. Not even close actually. Should have made better cars when you had the chance. Once you drive a German car with it’s refinement and quality you’ll know why these rattletraps failed. They shake apart too early.
They can bring back their luxury if they bring back their true full sized body on frame land yacht sized cars with big block V8 engines that are rear wheel drive and front split bench seats with the transmission selector on the column. Yeah people will say that will reduce fuel economy, not with today’s engine computer technology. You can make a modern land yacht car with higher economy than was around 35 years ago.
Easy……when they started putting their labels on a not even good cheap car. Now a days it’s better but like im not getting a caddy when i can pay the same price for a GMC.😂😂😂. Cadilac makes boring suvs but Escalade is gangster. Lincoln i think is more comfy luxe but its soooo behind i dont think it can survive. It needs to shun the luxury label and just be premium.
I was looking for a good show. It glossed over the 50’s qnd 60’s decline and never addressed why these luxury car companies didn’t respond. The throwaway reason often heard is that Japanese cars (shoot forward to the 1980’s skipping a decade) were better quality. Well then tell us the reason why Cadillac and Lincoln did not follow….we all want to know. What the heck happened in US carmaker boardrooms 1967 through 1977?
Cadillac Models: ATS, CTS, CT4, CT5, CT6, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade… Do you see the problem? Is is a Cadillac, or is it an Acura? An Infiniti? BRING BACK MODEL NAMES!!! Eldorado, SeVille, DeVille, Biarritz, Brougham, Series 62, etc. Whenever I see a Cadillac, I think to myself, “Buddy,… you overpaid for your Chevy.”
It wasn’t just the sportiness of imported cars that caused Americans to switch from domestic ones; it was that – in the 1970s – a Mercedes was a significantly better-quality car than either a Caddy or a Lincoln. That was when younger people who were rich and famous really made a difference in the perception of what a desirable luxury car was. Quite quickly, the expensive American autos were seen as old-fashioned and outmoded in comparison to a Mercedes. So that’s what people began to aspire to. Meanwhile, the Cadillac and Lincoln buyers literally began to die off.
Constant cost-cutting isn’t the way to do it. Putting a fancy grille and a huge price markup on a fully-loaded Ford or Chevy won’t do it (especially not if it’s a front-wheel-drive platform). Sad to say this, but for many folks who have bought Lincolns and Cadillacs over the past few decades, that was the last car they ever bought.
You left a lot of information out. Seems like you’re European leaning only you did not mention American luxury cars Cadillac and Lincoln out sold the foreign ones like 10 to 1 throughout the 1950s 1960s and most of the 70s and even into the 80s. Why did you all met that long history they also were much more luxurious Isolating, the passengers from the road was the highlight back then not feeling every bump through the seat and steering wheel like European cars I know I have had five Lincoln continentals for a Cadillacs three Buick Riviera‘s. Meanwhile, my friend had a little Mercedes and an Audi and Mercedes an Audi both rode like a lumber wagon. He was impressed with the luxuriousness of my American luxury cars when you do a story, do it right
In the past luxury models, American or not, had style and elegance, and when you spent that much money to buy one of them you knew why. Nowadays, in this modern world of automobile clones where blandness is the rule, why spend so much money on a gross, ugly “panzer” that just looks like umpteen others.
Cadillac and Lincoln market themselves as luxury cars, but they don’t do anything a standard car can’t. They have no uniqueness. There’s not a single aspect Cadillac or Lincoln can say they’re best at. Top speed, nope that’s Bugatti, acceleration, nope Lamborghini, low end torque, Nissan, braking distance, BMW, handling, Rolls Royce. You get the point. Aside from the coat tails of their past, neither brand has anything they’re best at.
Cadillac performance lineup….the ‘V’ and ‘Blackwing’ are arguably the finest sport sedans in the world. Will that lure away people from BMW M or AMG? Maybe the serious enthusiast, but not badge conscience snobs. Now all of these are out of my price range, but as a wagon fan, I’d love to have a CTS-V wagon w/ a manual, but even if you can find one, (extremely rare) they’re fetching around $70K-$80K used.
Just as soon as American car manufacturers start making good cars they can have whatever petty accolades they think they deserve. Sooooo many American cars have absolutely crap build quality, and do not stand the test of time. Fortunately for American car manufacturers, too many Americans don’t educate themselves on their purchases, and just look at the body, and say to themselves, “car go BOOM!”