Lincoln offers MKT Town Car to skeptical limo buyers
Laurén Abdel-Razzaq
Automotive News | February 18, 2011 - 3:48 pm EST
DETROIT -- Lincoln plans to build two chauffeur-dedicated MKT Town Car versions next year to replace the Town Car, its outgoing workhorse for livery fleets, which include vehicles such as standard-size executive cars and stretch limos.
But questions remain as to whether the fleet market will embrace the replacement or turn to rival brands’ vehicles for the chauffeur segment.
On Feb. 14, Ford Motor Co.’s luxury brand revealed a prototype of the MKT Town Car at the 2011 International Limousine, Charter and Tour Show in Las Vegas. Ford previously said it would rely on the MKT platform, but had not given a name for the vehicle.
By modifying its MKT crossover, Lincoln will try to fill the gap left when the Town Car is discontinued in September.
The livery version uses a standard MKT chassis and is available in front- and all-wheel drive. The limousine version has a heavy-duty MKT chassis with standard awd and a stretched-wheelbase conversion that can add up to 10 feet in length.
Both versions will include Sync technology, rear and blind-spot cameras and reconfigured interiors to allow for more passenger room, Lincoln said.
Lukewarm reception
The immediate response from the livery industry was lukewarm.
George Jacobs, CEO of Windy City Limousines, said the Lincoln MKT misses the mark.
Laurén Abdel-Razzaq
Automotive News | February 18, 2011 - 3:48 pm EST
DETROIT -- Lincoln plans to build two chauffeur-dedicated MKT Town Car versions next year to replace the Town Car, its outgoing workhorse for livery fleets, which include vehicles such as standard-size executive cars and stretch limos.
But questions remain as to whether the fleet market will embrace the replacement or turn to rival brands’ vehicles for the chauffeur segment.
On Feb. 14, Ford Motor Co.’s luxury brand revealed a prototype of the MKT Town Car at the 2011 International Limousine, Charter and Tour Show in Las Vegas. Ford previously said it would rely on the MKT platform, but had not given a name for the vehicle.
By modifying its MKT crossover, Lincoln will try to fill the gap left when the Town Car is discontinued in September.
The livery version uses a standard MKT chassis and is available in front- and all-wheel drive. The limousine version has a heavy-duty MKT chassis with standard awd and a stretched-wheelbase conversion that can add up to 10 feet in length.
Both versions will include Sync technology, rear and blind-spot cameras and reconfigured interiors to allow for more passenger room, Lincoln said.
Lukewarm reception
The immediate response from the livery industry was lukewarm.
George Jacobs, CEO of Windy City Limousines, said the Lincoln MKT misses the mark.