AT A GLANCE
TECHNOLOGY: Intelligent Access with push-button start; collision warning with brake support
HISTORY: Founded in 1917 by Henry Leland, a former GM executive. Bought by Henry Ford in 1922 to become the luxury car division of Ford Motor Company.
FAMOUS MODELS: Zephyr (1936), Continental (1939), Town Car (1922, 1959, 1981-Present), Navigator SUV, MK Series.
KNOWN FOR: Large luxury cars, luxury SUVs.
History of luxury excellence
Lincoln was founded in 1917 by former General Motors executive, Henry Leyland, to build aircraft engines for WW II military airplanes. After the war it was converted to luxury automobile manufacture.
Henry Ford acquired the floundering company in 1922 to be the luxury car division of Ford Motor Company. Lincoln competed successfully with the likes of Pierce Arrow, Packard, Cadillac and other luxury brands with well-made touring cars like their 1929 model.
In 1936 a 4.4 liter V-12 engine was developed and installed in an attractive, flowing design coupe and sedan called “Zephyr.” This model was so successful that it became a separate brand name under the Lincoln banner.
The Town Car name first appeared in 1922 on huge, limousine style vehicles. It appeared again 1959 as a trim package on Lincoln sedans. In 1981 Town Car became a separate model, about the time the Continental became a smaller Lincoln model.
In 1998, Lincoln was the largest selling luxury brand in the USA, due largely to the sales success of their Navigator SUV.
Lincoln is expanding its success today into smaller cars, most notably the sports sedans that have gained traction among luxury buyers in recent years. The new MKZ is the perfect example, showing how Lincoln can offer world-class cars with the performance to match their style.
2013 VEHICLES TO WATCH
MKZ
The all-new Lincoln MKZ is the first Lincoln created by a dedicated team in its new Lincoln Design Studio. It opens a new chapter for the brand.
MKS
The full-size Lincoln MKS sports a sleeker style for 2013 that headlines a range of improvements that rivals more expensive luxury contenders.
MKT
Lincoln’s MKT full-size crossover offers a dramatically improved ride, sharper handling, better fuel economy and new safety technologies.
