John, Responses to some of
John,
Responses to some of your points, as I am not passionate about all of them
:
1. Every Lincoln Car/SUV shares a platform with a Ford. It's how design money is saved. Lincoln will always do this.
4. All i have owned and prefer to own is upscale luxury coupes, such as an 88 Cougar XR-7, 88 XJS, 97 and 98 Mark VIII LSC. I sold my newer Maxima and bought a 97 Mark VIII because I still want a luxury sedan. I would buy a luxury sedan from Ford if they had one, as would many on the Cougar and Mark VIII forums (yes they exist). Ford's biggest mistake from which they are starting to recover is a lack of flagship car that brings the brand excitement. The new Mustang and FordGT have brought that back. Lincoln needs a flagship car. Yes they should build a luxury coupe.
6. If you are talking just a badge swap, agree, sharing platforms is a must.
10. Hybrids are not a cost efficient market, mearly a marketing gimmick. Natural Gas vehicles should be seriously considered if the filling station infrastruction can be developed.
11. You forgot "Excitment."