Mays? Well, we sat for about 20 minutes, chatting away while everyone else was devouring lunch. All he was willing to offer was his
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| Does the new MKS prototype have you anticipating its arrival to the point where you're willing to march down to your local Lincoln store and drop a G-note in order to get in line? (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
unequivocal support of Peter Horbury, which, no matter how he may actually feel about the MKS' design, was a wise and prudent attitude to take with a reporter - he's danced with members of the press many times before, of course, although his candor about other things, that for the time being will remain unspoken, was extremely refreshing.
While it's easy to be critical of someone else's work, knowing little of the intricacies needed to pull off an all-new model, let alone setting up a new design language with the hope of to redirecting an entire brand from virtual oblivion to future success, critiquing what I see, backed up by many years on the road to becoming an "industry expert" is my job. You can critique my points of view or writing style all you want, if you think I'm being too harsh on Lincoln's MKS, but while you're doing so, ask yourself if this new prototype has you anticipating its arrival to the point where you're willing to march down to your local Lincoln store and drop a G-note in order to get in line. I didn't think so. Personally, I think the Zephyr shows a great deal more originality, and because of that, will do more to build the Lincoln brand than this MKS has a hope of doing.
So,
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| While the MKS' wheels are absolutely gorgeous, it might be a good time for Ford to contemplate the overall direction it is taking Lincoln stylistically. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
Lincoln, and particularly Mr. Horbury, I believe it might be a good time to think over the direction you're taking Lincoln. My guess is that you've received similar criticism from like-minded journalists (while automotive journalists are often a bit jaded they are at least not as easily wowed as the non-professionals collected by marketing departments for focus groups - remember, the Five Hundred passed all the focus groups too, and while an excellent car in many ways, it has hardly stirred up much adoration among car enthusiasts). I, for one, don't think it's wise to go up against the Japanese giants in a game they're already winning at (although the one car it appears closest too, Acura's RL, is stagnant in dealerships, reportedly because of its uninspired styling). Rather, build something distinctive and truly American that may divide loyalties, like the 300C has, but will be sure to light fires under a given market demographic. Get one group of people pumped about a new product, any group, and enough fence sitters will commit to make it a success.
