Lincoln is the luxury vehicle division of American automobile manufacturer Ford. The Lincoln name has been associated with wealth and power and is only rivaled by its competitor, the Cadillac. It is no wonder Cadillac was a competitor when both were started by the same man. Lincoln has always been on the cutting edge of technology and is known for including all the bells and whistles. Songs and ballads have paid homage to this icon and symbol of wealth, with one ballad being a tribute to country singer Loretta Lynn, titled “Loretta Lynn’s Lincoln.”
How the Company Got Started
Henry Leland grew up in Vermont, relocating to Detroit to produce Oldsmobile engines and gears before founding Cadillac Motor Car Company in 1902. General Motors Corporation acquired Cadillac in 1909 following a dispute between Leland and Billy Durant about the company’s responsibilities in the war. Leland resigned from GM and founded Lincoln Motor Company in 1917.
As the United States entered World War I, the Cadillac division of General Motors was asked to produce the new Liberty aircraft engine. William C. Durant did not want General Motors or Cadillac facilities to be involved in producing war material. This led to Henry Leland leaving Cadillac to form the Lincoln Motor Company to make Liberty engines for airplanes. He quickly gained a $10,000,000 government contract to build 6,000 machines.
Lincoln Motor Company was born out of Henry Leland’s patriotic desire to make airplane engines for the allied forces in World War I. The postwar recession forced the Lelands to sell to another father-son duo, Henry and Edsel Ford. Over the next 20 years, Lincoln grew into one of America’s most admired luxury marques.
Motorsports
Like all American brands of the 1950s, Lincoln competed in NASCAR’s Grand National Stock Car series, winning the first race in the series. Lincoln remained in NASCAR through 1953.
The Continental Mark VII was raced in the Trans-Am Series in 1984 and 1985 without success. Their best result was a ninth-place finish at the 1984 Watkins Glen Trans-Am race.
The Lincoln Mark VIII was tested at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1996 as a hopeful replacement for the Ford Thunderbird, but NASCAR rejected it due to a lack of wind tunnel testing. Ford did not want to give Lincoln, a company that was traditionally a luxury brand, a racing image. The company eventually replaced the Thunderbird with the Ford Taurus.
The Logo
The Lincoln insignia has a rich history and several versions of its meaning. Regardless of the original Lincoln logo idea, today it is a symbol of luxury that is recognized worldwide.
The first Lincoln logo was created in 1917 and featured a rounded-angled medallion with bold lettering. It was the only logo used while Henry Leland owned Lincoln.
After Lincoln became a part of Ford, its logo was redesigned by adding “Ford Detroit” lettering to the badge. The shape was changed to include rounded edges and a significant frame.
In 1939, the Lincoln logo changed its shape to a circle. The wordmark became written in cursive with white lettering, and the coat of arms became the only symbol of the brand’s visual identity for the next 15 years.
The first Lincoln Star was created in 1964. The brand wanted another major change. A framed four-pointed star would be perfect for reflecting the luxury and finesse of the Lincoln cars. The Star from the 1960s featured an Art-Deco shape, which was very trendy at the time and a sleek, chic emblem.
The logo remained untouched for almost 40 years. It is a potent symbol of a powerful American brand. In 2012, the iconic Lincoln logo was redesigned. It was made more elegant and balanced using bolder but shorter lines. The Lincoln four-pointed Star is a symbol of the brand’s worldwide influence and expertise in quality and design.
Sales
Since its inception, Lincoln sales have seen lots of drops. More recently, Lincoln has broadened its overseas sales. In 2021, it sold more vehicles in China than its home country of the United States. Now that the Continental and MKZ sedans have both been given a discontinuation date, Lincoln’s lineup will only include crossovers and SUVs for the first time ever. Lincoln stopped production of the Continental at the end of 2020. The company stated the decision was due to declining sales of full-size premium sedans.
Many Different Models
Historically, the vehicle range of Lincoln consisted of sedans, crossovers, and SUVs. Outside of retail markets, Lincoln has produced vehicles for limousine and livery use throughout its entire existence, with several examples used as official state limousines for Presidents of the United States. Now, Lincoln only manufactures crossovers and SUVs.
Model | Avg Asking Price | Picture | Description |
Used: $67,998 New: $76,710 |  | “Travel confidently with technology that meets your needs, such as Revel® Audio System with 14-Speakers, Lincoln Co-Pilot360™ 2.0 & Lincoln Co-Pilot360™ 2.0 Vision, and Phone As A Key.” | |
Used: $45,029 New: $51,780 |  | “Intelligently designed for comfort and convenience. With seating for up to seven people, the Aviator SUV provides a sense of peacefulness and elevated focus that propels you through every drive.” | |
Used: $29,958 New: $43,030 |  | “Make every journey an elevated and effortless experience. The Nautilus SUV maximizes comfort and performance with a precise blend of thoughtfully designed technologies with five-person seating.” | |
Used: $32,213 New: $36,370 |  | “Explore your world with a spirited standard turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine, spacious cabin, and Lincoln Co-Pilot360™ 1.5 driver-assist technology.” |
Most Popular Model
The Lincoln Corsair and three-row Lincoln Aviator SUV top the sales charts for Lincoln.
Geographic Popularity
Ford has tried to make the Lincoln brand a prime player in the luxury segment again. The discontinuation of the Continental and MKZ had made Lincoln an SUV-only brand, with the fully electric Aviator coming by 2024.
Per Automotive News China, Lincoln sold more vehicles in China than in the US in 2021 for the first time ever. A total of 91,000 Lincolns were sold in the global market in 2021. This is a 48 percent increase over 2020. US sales dropped by 18 percent to 86,929 units the same year, which is the worst yearly total since 2013. Lincoln’s rise in China is surprising, considering that it did not open its first dealership in China until 2014.
So, what was the secret to Lincoln’s success? It studied Chinese consumers. It even hired the company that designed the original Apple stores to create a unique-looking dealership layout that included amenities like tea rooms, waterfall displays, and a heritage wall showing Lincoln’s long history.
Sustainability
Lincoln’s first claim states they can positively impact millions of people by empowering their employees and protecting human rights in the supply chain. Lincoln boasts that they have been doing just that for more than a century. They also feel they have a role in protecting the planet by reducing emissions, operating world-class facilities, and helping suppliers reduce their impact on the environment.
Their website states: “We’re committed to carbon neutrality – it’s the right thing for our customers, the planet, and Ford. Ninety-five percent of our carbon emissions today come from our vehicles, operations, and suppliers, and we’re tackling all three areas with urgency and optimism.”
Safety
Ford vehicles are dependable and known for performance and advanced technology. However, they’re also becoming one of the biggest frontrunners in vehicle safety. Each features a durable frame and advanced technologies and features to provide protection, safety, and confidence during your travels. However, each Ford vehicle comes with its list of safety features and amenities.
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