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McConaughey stars in new round of Lincoln ads

Matthew McConaughey's ruminative commercial work with the Lincoln MKC, MKZ, and MKZ Hybrid showed us a side of Lincoln we didn't know existed, and a bunch of spoofs made us laugh about it. Most importantly, though, the partnership worked, leading to a double-digit increase in sales and millions of hits in brand exposure. That's why the actor and the automaker are back together, McConaughey scheduled to return in a new commercial campaign launching September 2 for the 2016 Lincoln MKX. He'll give up the air of cosmopolitan sage, because these ads "dial up the swagger factor" according to Lincoln's group marketing manager John Emmert. Introduced earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show, the brand put a lot of work into the all-new model, said to be "much improved in how it rides, steers, brakes and looks," offering a more powerful engine, and at least 36 new features including adaptive lighting. Ford's first production implementation of adaptive steering, and Harman's first automobile application of Revel audio will bow with the mid-sized crossover. On top of all that, it's also got that lower price. Emmert said the McConaughey ads will point out "the technology and the beauty of the vehicle." Lincoln will buy time during NFL games as part of the campaign. We have no doubt the anticipation from YouTube and a few celebrity rascals is already high. Related Video:

Lincoln to resurrect old nameplates for China?

Judging by the success that many luxury automakers are currently experiencing in China, it's no surprise that Lincoln plans to take advantage of the situation by peddling its wares across the Pacific. Lincoln will open its first Chinese dealership next year, but potential buyers there won't be mucking through the same alphabet soup of car names found in American showrooms. USA Today reports that Ford's luxury car division could revert back to legacy names (like Continental and Zephyr) in China while keeping the MK_ names here in North America.
In speaking to Ford exec Jim Farley during the LA Auto Show, USA Today says that Lincoln could switch its naming structure as models are refreshed. Farley didn't confirm that the naming revamp would be a China-only decision, but article leaves little hope that American buyers will get to see the return of classic names anytime soon.
Why would Ford rehash old Lincoln names for China only? Buyers there seem to have a better historical associations with the nameplates than in the US. Chinese also still hold Lincoln in high regard, associating the marque with use by prominent government officials.

Lincoln MKC Concept shows real promise [w/video]

Ford's efforts to resuscitate its moribund Lincoln luxury brand began in earnest with the introduction of its 2014 MKZ sedan, a model many labeled as the marque's make-or-break offering. Of course, one model does not a comeback make, and with the MKZ just now starting to trickle into dealers, it will be some time before America's jury of consumers comes in with their judgment. More to the point, it's likely to take better than a decade's worth of products and sustained marketing effort to even begin to figure out whether Lincoln has a shot at redemption or if it will die of Mercury poisoning. After all, rival General Motors has been pouring resources into Cadillac since the late '90s, and if the sales charts are any guidance, it's still probably too early to declare its rebirth a success.
Certainly, a brand with Ford's resources, free of distractions (read: the now-defunct Premier Auto Group and various other side projects) should be able to successfully market a single luxury brand, particularly one with such a rich - if distant - history. Especially now with the Blue Oval enjoying more consumer goodwill than at any time in recent history. So let's all give Alan Mulally and friends a little room to work, eh?
We can start by focusing on the compact crossover seen before you, the Lincoln MKC Concept. Riding atop the same global C-platform that underpins the Ford C-Max, Escape and Focus, the MKC showcar here presages a production small CUV that will stick its distinctive nose into one of the auto industry's fastest-growing segments.