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Ford Explorer problems gutted third-quarter sales

In early September, the Detroit Free Press published a feature noting numerous problems Ford's having with the 2020 Explorer and 2020 Lincoln Aviator launches. Issues with both SUVs, built at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant, were so rife and dire that the automaker was trucking the vehicles 275 miles away to Michigan for repairs. Bloomberg reported earlier this month that Explorer's third-quarter sales dropped 48 percent compared to the previous model in 2018, with dealers unable to get enough units on lots for customers. Nor is the snafu over: Automotive News reports that another "batch of about 2,500 Explorers in need of repairs" arrived recently in Michigan, and sales through the first nine months of 2019 are down 31 percent. Sales dips during model changeovers are to be expected as old inventory gets sold down and new production ramps up, but this is different. Ford U.S. sales boss Mark LaNeve told Bloomberg earlier this month, "We’ve got adequate inventory in our stores. For Q4, availability wonÂ’t be an issue. WeÂ’ll be able to hit our stride with Explorer starting now." It's hard to know whether that's true, with thousands of Explorers still piling into Michigan; the batch AN mentioned represents about 5 days of sales during an average month in 2018, before the drawdown and interruptions hampered matters. And when Consumer Reports tested the Ford Explorer it bought this summer, it titled the review, "2020 Ford Explorer drives nicely but has many flaws / Poor interior quality and a high price overshadow the SUV's improvements."   On top of that, the AN piece mentions a new impediment to uncorking the Explorer sales stream: Worker strife in the Chicago plant. Allegedly, "Roving groups of workers are intimidating other employees, creating a hostile environment, the people said. ThatÂ’s driving up turnover and leaving some vehicle assembly unfinished, contributing to the company having to complete the work at the Michigan factory or at dealerships, the people said." Ford's been fined twice before for the same kinds of issues at its plants, once in 1999, again in 2017, but a spokesperson said Ford isn't aware of any such problems now. The pressure otherwise has got to be unpleasant for everyone on the Explorer team, from CEO Jim Hackett down. The automaker was meant to be "turning the corner" in April, but as of now, shares are down, credit rating is down, earnings are down.

2020 Lincoln Corsair Review & Buying Guide | Old-school, value-priced luxury

The 2020 Lincoln Corsair is a compelling alternative to the compact luxury crossover establishment. It’s distinctively stylish inside and out, very spacious, and it clearly focuses on comfort rather than performance. Not only that, it has a base price that's thousands of dollars cheaper than its German rivals. It has a couple of drawbacks. Its quest for comfort does sacrifice some of its handling capability, and its overseas rivals still have nicer cabin materials. But there are enough positives that youÂ’ll still want to give the Corsair a closer look. What's new for 2020? The Lincoln Corsair is a completely new model introduced this year. It replaces the Lincoln MKC, and like that crossover, the Corsair still shares its platform with the Ford Escape. 2020 Lincoln Corsair Beyond Blue interior View 9 Photos What's the Corsair's interior and in-car technology like? While the Corsair is based on the Ford Escape, you wouldnÂ’t be able to tell from the inside, and thatÂ’s a very good thing. The little Lincoln crossover has a unique interior, both in relation to the Escape and to the rest of its luxury segment. There's nothing remotely like it. The dashboard itself is low and wide, emphasized by the split-level design and the faux full-width air vent. The center stack has a cantilevered design that floats above the center console area and features chrome-plated switches and knobs. Base models get a stylish pinstriped aluminum trim panel on the dash paired with one of three upholstery color options including black, gray and beige. However, the Reserve steps things up considerably with differing wood and metal trim choices that correspond to the expanded leather color options that include a camel tan and dark turquoise (pictured above). All Corsairs get an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system mounted high on the dash within easy sight and reach. It uses a reskinned version of the latest Ford SYNC interface. The layout is straightforward and easy to navigate, and the more muted color options on the Lincoln system are easier on the eyes than the stark white Ford version. ItÂ’s a little bit slow to load new menus, though, and this carries over to the optional 12.3-inch instrument cluster screen available on the Reserve trim. The Corsair comes standard with an analog instrument cluster with a 6.5-inch info screen. We appreciate that many stereo and climate controls have dedicated switches and knobs on the center stack, and they have a nice heft to their actions.

Lincoln taps Serena Williams to pitch all-new Navigator

Lincoln is turning to a new star to help it pitch the hot-selling Navigator SUV alongside Matthew McConaughey: Tennis megastar and businesswoman Serena Williams. She'll help pitch the Navigator in a social media campaign that launched Thursday. Lincoln released four short spots that will appear on Lincoln and Williams' social channels. In one, the longest at 41 seconds, Williams recalls buying her first Navigator as a teen and says she's come full circle as a mother. She dubbed the vehicle "Ginger." "Ginger was all white, she had 22s and she had rims," she says in the spot. "I felt like, you know, I was kind of balling in a way. It was like my first huge purchase." Another shows Williams talking on a tennis court about being a mother and how the vehicle functions as a kind of bedroom for her daughter, Olympia, who was born last September. "For me that's what's most important." Like the McConaughey spots before them, the new spots hew to the Lincoln script of mostly not focusing on the vehicle but rather on experiences. (Williams' experiences seem a lot less ethereal than McConaughey's.) View 4 Photos Williams is known for her tennis exploits, having won a record 23 Grand Slam singles titles and four Olympic gold medals. She has fashion deals with Puma and Home Shopping Network and launched her own fashion brand called Aneres. And she operates the Serena Williams Fund to emphasize education and help victims of gun and domestic violence, plus the Williams Sisters Fund, which she launched in 2016 with her sister, Venus. Serena Williams is also a member of the Oath Board of Advisors. Oath is the parent company of Autoblog. "Serena is an amazing athlete who has won 23 Grand Slams, but she also has a family, she has her own clothing line, she sits on major boards, she's philanthropic — she has all these competing demands on her time," Lincoln Group Marketing Manager John Emmert said in a statement. "We know that time is our Navigator client's ultimate luxury as they balance everything in their busy lives, and Serena exemplifies that balance with poise and grace." It's not the first time Williams has endorsed an automotive brand, notes AdAge. Mini featured the tennis star in a Super Bowl ad in 2016. The Navigator is all-new for 2018. It won North American Truck of the Year last month at the Detroit Auto Show. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.