The Lincoln MKT, the company’s latest crossover, was shown at the Detroit auto show. According to Lincoln, there has been a decline in sales of full-size SUVs and a growing sales and popularity of crossovers.
The marketers of Lincoln MKT are hoping that the crossover model will be able to compete against the current leaders of the crossovers segment such as the Audi Q7, Acura MDX, Mercedes Benz R-Class, and the Cadillac SRX. Lincoln group marketing manager Mike Crowley is confident that the MKT will be a niche player because of the company’s focus on styling, safety, and a luxurious interior.
Chief designer of the MKT, Gordon Platto, also says that the crossover model’s exterior design shows the new look that Lincoln aims for. According to Platto, the MKT shows where the company is going in terms of looks and quality. As for the interiors, there are three rows of seats covered in hand-stitched leather with soft surfaces. Consumers also have the option of getting one-touch power seats. The MKT’s second row of seats, according to Lincoln, offers top-of-the-class legroom and can house captain chairs or the standard 60:40 split bench.
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Officials of the United Auto Workers (UAW) disclose that car makers GM and Chrysler may not need the additional life line of $17.4 billion from the government.
In their opinion it will be best if the car giants will be able to get out of the mess without having to use additional borrowed funding.
There are experts who see the $13.4 billion aid to GM as sufficient. Some insiders also informed journalists that the car maker will not be asking for more money beyond the allotted $13.4 billion.
UAW is hoping that the sales this year will not be a million or so lower than the dismal sales output of 13.2 million cars. How the car makers’ money will hold out will really depend on the market this year.
The worst projected sale is rock bottom at 10.2 million units. A lot are asking what will be the next move of everyone if this happens. For now, it remains a guessing game.
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Another Swiss transformer will be revealed in March during the Geneva International Motor Show. The iChange Concept from the car manufacturer Rinspeed has a variable body design that can accommodate 1, 2, or 3 passengers.
The concept car will be powered by a 130 kilowatt electronic motor that has zero emission. The car’s design is fit for the anticipated varying needs for energy consumption coupled with efficiency.
Frank Rinderknecht, the mind behind the off-the-wall concept, says that the development of their new designs revolve around variability and flexibility to tease the automotive world.
The iChange is built with lightweight components assembled to have optimal aerodynamics. The sleek body architecture adapts to the passenger capacity need via the electronic trick tail technology. The sports car tear drop look which only accommodates the driver can magically transform into a van appearance which will have space for 2 more passengers.
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