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Automakers tussle over owners of 'orphan' makes

When General Motors put down several of its brands in recent years, it also let loose thousands of brand-loyal customers who will eventually need another car.
R.L. Polk Associates estimates there are more than 18 million cars from 16 discontinued makes on the road today. Those "orphan owners" have sales-hungry competitors seeing dollar signs. GM is offering Saturn owners $1,000 cash toward a Chevy Cruze, Cadillac CTS or a GMC Acadia. Ford is giving its Mercury lease customers a chance to get out of their contracts with no early-termination penalty and offering to waive six remaining payments if they drive off in a Ford or Lincoln.
Edmunds.com research shows the efforts are paying off somewhat for GM, with 39 percent of Pontiac owners, 37 percent of Hummer owners and 31 percent of Saturn owners taking delivery of another GM-branded vehicle. But that leaves as much as 69 percent of owners going elsewhere. Ford, Honda and Toyota seem to be attracting many former GM owners.

Mulally wanted to kill Lincoln as late as last year, Fields vows to turn it around

Lincoln fans might want to give incoming Ford CEO Mark Fields a pat on the back for having a hand in saving the brand from the chopping block last year. He's among the people spearheading the rejuvenation of the division away from its stodgy image to appeal to younger customers.
According to two unnamed sources speaking to Bloomberg, CEO Alan Mulally was ready to kill Lincoln last year. Following the slow production ramp-up of the MKZ combined a with a costly ad campaign, Mulally was frustrated and openly suggested dropping the brand. However, Fields and Jim Farley, Ford's marketing boss, convinced the CEO that the brand was worth saving. They also created a plan to prevent similar problems for new models in the future.
It seems that one part of the strategy may involve waiting until new models are at dealers before starting a big ad campaign for them. Lincoln global director, Matt VanDyke, recently told Autoblog that the division is holding off on a full marketing push behind the new MKC crossover to prevent the supply problems that plagued the MKZ last year. Its big offensive begins in the fall when the CUVs are at all of the dealers and consumers are at home watching more TV. VanDyke also told Bloomberg that Fields, Farley and Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of the Americas, have more direct oversight over new product launches now.

2017 Lincoln Model Year Preview and Updates

For those wondering if there's more to Lincoln than a reflective Matthew McConaughey, the debut of Lincoln's all-new Continental - pictured above - should emphatically answer the question. But aside from a refresh here and there, the Continental is effectively 'it' for the 2017 model year. LINCOLN CONTINENTAL: Although the new Continental may not represent the design stretch Lincoln enthusiasts might have hoped, it's a significant step when compared to the Fusion-based MKZ or displaced MKS. With available all-wheel drive and up to 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, the Continental is described by Lincoln as targeting 'culturally progressive clients who define luxury on their own terms.' In short, this isn't a me-too interpretation of German or Asian luxury; it's the Lincoln Motor Company's interpretation of American luxury, on sale in the spring of '17. MKZ: A freshened design with all-new, Continental-esque front fascia offers an upgraded interior, new technology and available Revel Audio. MKC: It is a year of minor tweaks for Lincoln's compact crossover. A power liftgate is now standard, while Auto Start-Stop is available on MKCs equipped with the 2.0-liter and all-wheel drive, standard on 2.0-liter front-wheel drive. And the MKC receives Sync 3 plus Apple CarPlay and Android Audio. MKT: Aside from color revisions, Lincoln's livery car/crossover is unchanged. MKX: Lincoln's midsize, Edge-based crossover receives little more than color changes for 2017. NAVIGATOR: Lincoln's biggest SUV navigates the model year with few changes except for color. However, with the announcement of an all-new Ford Expedition – on which the Navigator is based – in showrooms this fall, an all-new Navigator can't be far behind it. Lincoln Car Buying whats new 2017