Straightline

The car enthusiasts news blog from Inside Line

Lincoln likely to kill LT truck

When the new 2009 F-150 debuts next fall, don't expect to see a Lincoln variant of it, as all indications suggest that the Lincoln LT will just quietly disappear.

The problem with the LT is that there is no Avalanche-like equivalent in the huge Ford truck portfolio in which to base it on, hard to believe as it may be. I think that's very important as the Cadillac Escalade EXT is based on the Chevy Avalanche—and there are some real advantages to the Avalanche that translate quite well into a luxury pickup. Not true for the F-150, which is....
. well, just too blue collar and less black tie.

Full story here.

Categories: ,,,,

15 Comments

tryan says:

10:13 AM, 03/17/08

To be expected. Blackwood Part 2 should have been the name from the get go...=)

ateixeira says:

10:41 AM, 03/17/08

Well, Blackwood was 2WD only. At least this had 4WD.

flicmod says:

10:50 AM, 03/17/08

Loooooong time coming.

ewilfong says:

10:54 AM, 03/17/08

Ford may as well kill Lincoln while they're at it.

roar02ram says:

12:50 PM, 03/17/08

Also, Bob, Cadillac's Escalade EXT is pretty substantially differentiated from the Avalanche, nevermind the rest of the pickups, by its unique front & rear fascias, significantly upgraded interior, and exclusive (relatively) powertrains. I agree with your points, but I think Ford might not have flopped so badly if they had at least taken a few of these steps.

estreka says:

01:33 PM, 03/17/08

Lincoln still makes these?

hondacura4 says:

01:59 PM, 03/17/08

Will Ford ever "get it"?

billt9 says:

02:24 PM, 03/17/08

The Platinum trim killed the Mark LT.
 
The Chevy Avalanche / Escalade EXT still has no rival. Such versatility!

gstill45 says:

05:11 PM, 03/17/08

If they built a truck on the MKX platform, it'd outsell this, but I don't plan on seeing that anytime soon.

brn says:

05:48 PM, 03/17/08

Anyone wanting a luxury truck is going with the King Ranch. Ford did too good a job on the KR.

thebigal says:

06:30 PM, 03/17/08

Surprise surprise. Ford never did get it right with this truck. Everytime I see one of these on the road it looks like someone hacked together a Lincoln grill and badge and swapped it with their F-150 badge. They didn't even bother changing the headlights or even the tail lights. Not to mention the weak powertrains and barely upgraded interior.
 
Now that Ford has the platnum F-150 (which is how this truck should have been marketed anyway), it might do okay. Probably similar to GMC's Denali line.
 
I don't see how this ever came close to competing with the Escalade. The Escalade is unique with unique features and decked out in luxury and bling. It has over the top power, distinctive styling over it's lesser Avalanche brother and unabashedly caters to a different crowd than the Avalanch or even Denali or pickup crowd in general.
 
The Lincoln tried to much to be rich farmer who needed to show his stuff and how many rich farmers do you really know?? If they are rich they probably drive a 50K Kinch Ranch F-450 or a 50K plus Sierra 3500 HD... not gussied up Lincolns and Cadillacs

thebigal says:

06:37 PM, 03/17/08

if lincoln really wanted to do this right, they now have a vehicle with which do do it from in the Expedition EL. They could do something similar to what they have done with their Explorer Sporttrac or they could blatently copy GM and produce and an Avalanch/Escalade like vehicle... Why not? GM copied Ford after Ford slapped a Lincoln badge on an Expedition back int he 90's. They next model year they had slapped a caddy badge on their Yukon Denali. why not return the favor?

rsholland says:

06:58 PM, 03/17/08

thebigal
 
I agree. Now that they have the LWB Expedition, Ford could create a true Avalanche-fighter, and base a more appropriate Lincoln truck off it as well.
 
Will they do it? Hard to say. I'm not sure they want to invest the money in developing another big truck in such a truck-soft market, but who knows...

thebigal says:

07:37 PM, 03/17/08

I doubt they would do something like an Avalanch vehicle as the f-150 crew cab sells more than any other f-150 varient (I am assuming, but these are all I see on the road). I would think that an Avalanch like vehicle from ford with siphon buyers from that field...

rsholland says:

05:48 AM, 03/18/08

Hmmm... Not sure I agree there. Chevy does real well by having both a 1500 crew cab and the Avalanche, as they are somewhat different customers.
 
I think, if anything, it would take Avalanche customers.

Add a comment

Advertisement

Advertisement

Browse Archives