2014 Lincoln Mkz Base on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Ford Q3 pretax profits drop to $1.18B

Following positive third quarter financial results recently from General Motors, rival Ford took a tumble in Q3. The automaker posted pre-tax profits of $1.18 billion, compared to about $2.59 billion in Q3 2013, a drop of around 54 percent. Net income also suffered with $835 million made in the quarter, versus $1.272 billion last year, a decline of about 34 percent. The Blue Oval blamed the gloomy figures on three reasons in its release: "lower volume, higher warranty costs and adverse balance sheet exchange effects."
There were problems of one kind or another in practically every region. North America experienced higher warranty costs than expected, partially due to recalls. The sales volume for the quarter was 665,000 units, versus 725,000 in Q3 2013, and pre-tax results amounted to $1.41 billion versus $2.296 billion last year.
South America and Europe both posted worse pre-tax results than last year. On the bright side, European volume was up slightly to 321,000 vehicles, from 303,000 in Q3 2013. The Middle East and Africa also lost $15 million, but that was an improvement compared to the $25 million loss previously experienced in this region.

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #311 LIVE

We record Autoblog Podcast #311 tonight, and you can drop us your questions and comments regarding the rest of the week's news via our Q&A module below. Also for episode #311, Dan, Zach and Autoblog Editor-in-Chief John Neff chatted with Dan Greenawalt, Creative Director of Turn 10 Studios, about Forza Horizon. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #311
LA Auto Show recap

Production 2017 Lincoln Continental arrives with 400-hp V6

Lincoln still isn't saying much about its new flagship, the long-awaited Continental. Instead, it's got to get everyone's attention. The brand that's been threatening to get a genuine luxury game going for years probably wants people to sit inside the fullsize sedan to learn what it's got, and we think that's a great idea. One good bit we know is that the new Continental is powered by a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 with "a projected" 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. We also know the marketing folks have the luxury-speak down, with lavish promises of heated, cooled, and massaging Perfect Position 30-way seats that adjust to shape and weight, as well as climate-controlled seats for rear passengers that also recline, and "generous rear legroom." Themed interior appointments come in Chalet, Thoroughbred, and Rhapsody selections, perceived-quality boosted further by a specific number of stitches-per-inch on the leather, a laser-cut door on the instrument panel, and real wood and aluminum trim. Acoustic laminated glass, active noise control, and available Revel audio are meant to insure serenity. Technology points are scored with optional adaptive steering and all-wheel drive, three drive modes, dynamic torque vectoring, surround-view cameras, adaptive cruise control, and pre-collision braking. We will really begin to know the new Continental when we sit in it later today at the Detroit Auto Show, for now there's the press release below. All-New Lincoln Continental Delivers Quiet Luxury: Elegant, Effortlessly Powerful, Serene - Lincoln Motor Company introduces its elegant new flagship – the all-new Continental – coming this fall - Effortless power comes from new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces a projected 400 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque1; advanced safety technology is also featured - Serene interior offers the comfort of Lincoln's innovative Perfect Position Seat, spaciousness, rear seat amenities, Revel® audio system and top-grade materials DETROIT, Jan. 12, 2016 – Lincoln Motor Company heralds the return of its flagship – the all-new Lincoln Continental – an elegant, effortlessly powerful, serene full-size sedan that delivers quiet luxury to the industry's most discerning customers. Beginning this fall, Continental offers first-class travel for clients in America and China, bringing warm, human touches and a contemporary design.