When the New York International Auto Show pulled off its strings, carmakers flooded the show with cutting-edge luxury cars that exhibit the latest state-of-art automotive technology and design. Among the international automakers who are making their presence felt in the show being held at Manhattan, Ford (F, Financial) is not to be left behind. In fact, at this 2015 New York International show, Ford is restoring its focus on the luxury brand, Lincoln, by unveiling its newest model which could be an envy to the luxury car buyers of this decade. Also it has been globalizing its car sales by penetrating into newer markets, and that has been made evident in this international show as well. Let’s jump in to find out how Ford is creating a difference at the show that has just begun on April 3.
The new Lincoln unfolded
Ford’s one time highly popular luxury brand, Lincoln had taken a backseat to its major rivals BMW (BMW, Financial) and Mercedes-Benz (DDAIF, Financial) that are quickly matching their car features with the existing trends in the market. This time, it seems that Ford’s focus on the luxury car segment is on the high and hence it has showcased a full-size model of the new Lincoln Continental sedan at the New York auto show which could spur the luxury brand’s long-sought revival to its peers.
The Continental has an exclusive interior and exterior design that Ford could possibly boast about. In the inside, the rear seats are inspired by luxury air travel and the best part is that the seats can be reclined, while simultaneously the front seats can be moved forward to make for more rear space. The car comes with leather loafers tucked away in the back pockets – this seems like an icing on the cake for several luxury-oriented car buyers in the U.S.
In fact, the Lincoln Continental has introduced a mix of hi-tech features along with traditional luxury cues, such as inclusion of elegant hand-polished woods and metals in the cabin area. Ford Motors’ CEO, Mark Fields, comments that the maker of the new model wanted to move away from the “aggressive luxury” approach used by its immediate rivals. This new model will not only introduce luxury features such as “laser assist” high beams, but will also be the “new face of Lincoln” down the road when this concept model returns to production sometime in the 2016 calendar year.
Ford Motors is expecting that the new Lincoln model finds exclusive buyers in China which is the largest auto hub after the U.S. As China is currently the world’s largest market for premium luxury vehicles, Ford’s luxury brand opened its dealer network in the Nation towards the later part of 2014.
Launching the European brand on a worldwide basis
As the automobile industry is witnessing widespread globalization, Ford made the debut of the new Ford Focus RS at the New York Auto Show, a “hot hatch” that was to date sold only in the European automotive market. That’s indeed good news for U.S. car buyers who want to buy the Focus RS version that comes with the standard all-wheel drive. However all the minute details of this vehicle that is to be manufactured for the U.S. buyers have not been yet shared by the company, but it seems that this car would be a highly performing hatchback from Ford’s workshop and will reign supreme in the American sport compact car segment.
Parting lines
As Ford unveiled the two models at the New York Auto Show, it also got the message across that it is planning expansion in every way possible, and maybe that’s the reason behind the launch of the Focus RS in the U.S., expected to be identical in features to the one sold in Europe, with minor modifications; if necessary. Also the Lincoln brand’s revival has been planned in the best way possible by the U.S. auto maker, Ford. Time will be the best judge on how these superb models create a storm in the market after they officially appear at the car dealerships in the coming year. Until then, Ford car admirers need to pass the test of patience to get to know about these two models better after they hit the actual production ground.
