DEARBORN, MI – Ford has no intention of relinquishing its 75% share of the limo and livery industry when it replaces the venerable Lincoln Town Car with the MKT Town Car cross/utility vehicle early next year.
The limo and livery segment is not particularly big; about 3,000-5,000 units annually, depending on the year. But it’s an important market for Ford and a handful of Lincoln dealers who specialize in such vehicles, says Len Deluca, director-commercial trucks.
Ford expects similar volumes when the MKT Town Car reaches U.S. dealers in the first quarter.
Deluca says the auto maker contacted its largest limo and livery customers to gauge their opinion on the switch from the sedan to the CUV.
“There was a little bit of trepidation on the change, but when you show (the MKT) to the builders and our customers and get them to sit in it, they quickly learn it’s going to be a great replacement for the Town Car sedan,” he tells WardsAuto at a media event here.
Ford reviewd its Lincoln portfolio for the Town Car’s replacement and decided the MKT was a good fit, although the MKS flagship was considered, Deluca says. The CUV is larger than both the MKS and Town Car sedans and offers a significant improvement in cargo space as well as ease of getting in and out.
“We thought it would be a more viable, better riding environment for the passengers,” Deluca says.
The MKT Town Car will come in two body styles – livery and limousine. The first version uses the standard chassis and is available in front-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations. Full technical details are to be announced at a later date.
The heavy-duty limousine chassis will feature standard all-wheel drive for the stretched wheelbase that adds 10 ft. (3.0 m). It also incorporates several heavy-duty components, including an upgraded suspension, electric-power assisted steering and transmission and an upsized brake system.
Deluca says the MKT Town Car will be enough to fend off competitors, which have been making a strong push in the segment following the discontinuation of the Town Car sedan.
“Mercedes has been aggressive, and Cadillac is bringing in a replacement product,” he says. “There are a lot of folks that want to play in the business.”
The new Lincoln MKT Town Car models will be built at Ford’s Oakville, ON, Canada, plant starting next spring. Sedan production ended recently, and dealers are working with livery owners and operators to meet their planning needs, Deluca says.
