Joeychgo
July 2nd, 2006, 12:55 PM
http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/06/06lincolntowncar_06.jpg
With Ford's Wixom assembly plant - the only source for Lincoln cars over the past half-century - slated for closure in 2007, the assumption was that the Town Car would join its Panther platform brethren at the company's St. Thomas, Ontario plant. Ford, however, has informed the Canadian Auto Workers union that it should not expect the arrival of Lincoln's last "traditional" luxury car. Since a move to any other North American plant would require extensive retooling, it's extremely unlikely that the luxo-barge will continue production at all.
Expect the Town Car to be replaced with the MKS, which will be an AWD unibody sedan based on the same platform that underpins the Ford Five Hundred. Even if such a vehicle is successful at retaining the Town Car's elderly customer base, those in the livery business are likely wondering where to go now for a full-size body-on-frame luxury car. The Ford Crown Vic and Mercury Marquis are expected to continue production until 2010, after which the future of those big sedans is also in question.
[Source: Automotive News/Autoweek]
With Ford's Wixom assembly plant - the only source for Lincoln cars over the past half-century - slated for closure in 2007, the assumption was that the Town Car would join its Panther platform brethren at the company's St. Thomas, Ontario plant. Ford, however, has informed the Canadian Auto Workers union that it should not expect the arrival of Lincoln's last "traditional" luxury car. Since a move to any other North American plant would require extensive retooling, it's extremely unlikely that the luxo-barge will continue production at all.
Expect the Town Car to be replaced with the MKS, which will be an AWD unibody sedan based on the same platform that underpins the Ford Five Hundred. Even if such a vehicle is successful at retaining the Town Car's elderly customer base, those in the livery business are likely wondering where to go now for a full-size body-on-frame luxury car. The Ford Crown Vic and Mercury Marquis are expected to continue production until 2010, after which the future of those big sedans is also in question.
[Source: Automotive News/Autoweek]