Ford to price Lincoln MKZ hybrid the same as gas powered models

[JohnWxy]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100722/BUSINESS01/7220405/1014/Business01


For the first time, an American automaker plans to sell a hybrid car for the same, lower price as its gas-powered counterpart, removing at least one obstacle for drivers who want a greener ride.

At a little more than $35,000, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ sedan won't be cheap, but the decision by Ford to match the prices of the two styles could lead competitors to follow suit.

Industry analysts say they are unaware of a foreign automaker doing it, either.

It's a savvy marketing move by Ford as it tries to capture more attention for its Lincoln brand in the marketplace, especially as it phases out the Mercury brand.


http://sites.google.com/site/truthisstrangerthanfictionx/HYbrid_car_premiums.htm">Table of Hybrid Premiums

[divideandconquer]

1. They better do something effective as Lincoln-Mercury is tanking quickly

Ford doesn't have the great rear wheel drive platform to take on Cadillac or the coming new Chrysler/Alfa Romeos, let alone the world crushing Germans, so this is a good way to side step that weakness.

[doc03]

2. I wouldn't own a rear wheel drive car unless I only drove

in fair weather. I would like a Corvette or a Mustang to drive just on nice days but I can't afford a car that sits in the garage most of the time. The MKZ is a Consumer Reports (Recommended) buy and it has the Consumer Reports highest reliability rating of (much better than average). The entry level Cadillac CTS is not a recommended buy and has the worst reliability rating of (worse than average reliability). The Cadillac is more luxurious but it also priced $10000 or more higher than the MKZ.

[divideandconquer]

3. The Cadillac CTS outsells the Lincoln MKZ, but so do almost all it's competitors

<http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/june-sales-luxury/>
<http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/may-sales-analysis-premium-and-large-family-sedans/>

[doc03]

5. Faux has better ratings than MSNBC or CNN so does

than mean they are Fair and Balanced? McDonalds sells more hamburgers than any other hamburger chain does than mean they are better? Because someone sells more of something doesn't necessarily mean it is the best product. Personally I don't like Cadillac styling never have that's just personnel opinion though. Cadillac has a history of below average reliability for decades. On the chart they don't include the MKZ in the Luxury category which they probably shouldn't since it is much less expensive than the others. If they did include the MKZ it would rank 4th in sales. The other chart is for Large Premium sedans, the MKZ is a mid-size car and its base price is higher than most of the others. It also includes the Mercury Milan, the Mercury Milan is also a mid-size and virtually identical to the Fusion in styling and price. So if they include the Milan they should also include the Ford Fusion. It looks like MKZ and Milan sell about the same as the two Buicks. I don't know how they can say it is the truth about automobiles if they compare apples to oranges.

[AtheistCrusader]

4. Mercury brand is gone, the way of the Pontiac.

Only Ford/Lincoln now.

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/07/09/am-an-ode-to-fords-mercury-line/