Auto Industry News - Canada

2 Comments |

tagged

Ford Canada,

Ford Incentives,

Ford Taurus in

Auto Prices,

Wednesday

Aug122009

Lincoln prepares for launch of the 2010 MKT. Would you buy one?

Aug 12, 2009

Lincoln's renaissance into a respected <i<>nearluxury brand reaches a critical milestone later this summer with the introduction of the 2010 Lincoln MKT.

Production of the crossover has ramped up in Oakville, Ontario in anticipation that the new-ute will strike a chord with those that haven’t considered a Lincoln in the past, beyond calling one for a ride to the airport.

But is it just a rebadged Flex? And would you consider one?

Click to read more ...

1 Comment |

tagged

Ford Flex,

Lincoln MKT,

Oakville Ontario in

Friday

Sep262008

Eleven cars named Top Safety Picks

Sep 26, 2008

Subaru-Forester-crash-test The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named eleven vehicles as new Top Safety Picks. To qualify, vehicles must earn the highest rating of “good” in the Institute’s front, side and rear tests, and be equipped with electronic stability control (ESC).

The winners, by vehicle class (all are model-year 2009 unless otherwise noted):

Small cars: Honda Civic (with optional ESC), Mitsubishi Lancer (with optional ESC), Volkswagen Rabbit, and 2008-2009 Scion xB (not sold in Canada)
Midsize cars: Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Passat
Large luxury car: Lincoln MKS
Midsize SUVs: Ford Flex, Honda Pilot
Small pickup: Toyota Tacoma
Midsize convertible: Volkswagen Eos

tagged

IIHS,

top safety picks in

Honda,

Lincoln,

Misc.,

Safety,

Toyota ,

Volkswagen

Monday

Aug182008

Ford will manufacture Lincoln MKT

Aug 18, 2008

Ford Motor Co. has confirmed that it will begin producing the Lincoln MKT luxury crossover vehicle next year. Ford said the MKT, which was based on a concept vehicle introduced in January at the North American International Auto Show, is designed to combine the comfort and power of a sedan with the flexibility of a crossover.

In addition to the MKT's standard 3.7L V-6 engine, drivers will have the option of an EcoBoost 3.5L V-6 engine. According to Ford EcoBoost engines include turbocharged direct injection technology and deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy and 15 percent improved emissions than larger-displacement engines.

The MKT will be built at Ford's Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario.

Source: [Canadian Driver]

Wednesday

Jul232008

Recall: 2008 Edge and Lincoln MKX

Jul 23, 2008

Ford Motor Co. is recalling 142 of its 2008 Edge and Lincoln MKX all-wheel-drive vehicles to fix a potential fuel tank weld problem that if not fixed could result in a fire.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the recall centers around a fuel tank weld fixture, which may have been exposed to a contaminant during production.

This could cause a dimple in the bottom of the fuel tank at a spot weld, according to NHTSA's recalls summary of the problem. "This dimple could result in a fuel leak or a fuel drip from the tank. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire."

Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel tank.

Lincoln,

Recalls

Wednesday

Jun252008

Lincoln launches MKS with mini movie

Jun 25, 2008

In a move away from typical advertising, Lincoln has decided to feature a 3 minute movie to showcase its newest model, the 2009 MKS. The 3 minute film will debut on television first and then online.

The film is entitled MadCrazyLove and features a fun and romantic story of two people and of course their Lincoln MKS. In the near future, there will be 15 and 30 second spots that will be suitable as TV commercials. The ad made its television debut during the Black Entertainment Television Awards pre-show and will be shown online at www.lincoln.com.

The 2009 MKS will begin arriving in dealerships across North America by the end of June.

Wednesday

Apr162008

Ford to add 500 jobs at Oakville, ON plant

Apr 16, 2008

Ford of Canada said they plan to hire an additional 500 people this summer at their Oakville, ON assembly plant.

The Oakville facility is home of the Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX and in two months the Ford Flex. Ford is looking to boost production to keep up with the strong demand for the Edge and MKX.

Ford plans to offer the 500 jobs in Oakville to the 700 workers laid-off from their Windsor facility. The remaining jobs will be open to the public.

In the past month Ford of Canada announced the reopening of their Windsor facility but they’ll only rehire 300 of the 1,000 people originally laid-off.

[Source: The Toronto Star]

2 Comments |

Tuesday

Jan152008

Lincoln MKT sport utility concept

Jan 15, 2008

Check out Lincoln’s newest sport utility concept, the MKT. By looking at its sleek design you would never know that parts of its body are made of discarded soft drink bottles and other waste.

Ford unveiled the futuristic four-seater at the North American International Auto Show. The car comes complete with seats borrowed from the first-class section of jetliners, a windshield that extends to the back of the roof and an electrically operated hatch instead of a trunk.

According to Ford, it’s a “premium utility” but the car was built on car underpinnings. It will be light and efficient with the new EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine.

No plans yet for production but I wouldn’t be too surprised if it happened. Peter Horbury, Ford’s executive director of design for the Americas said “Its not a fantasy. It’s as realistic as any production car.” He then made reference to the Ford Flex, which was shown in Detroit two years ago and is now scheduled for production as a 2009 model.

2008 Detroit Auto Show,

Concept Cars,

Friday

Jan112008

Lincoln Town Car production officially begins in Ontario

Jan 11, 2008

To the amazement of most car enthusiasts the old-school Lincoln Town Car is still in production. Sure it’s not popular with most consumers born after WWII but it’s a darling to fleet buyers.

And now it’s officially being built at Ford’s St. Thomas, ON manufacturing facility alongside the Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis. The first Canadian-built Town Car rolled off the assembly line yesterday. Production moved from Ford’s Wixom, Michigan plant, which is now idled.

Expect to see a Canadian built Town Car at an airport near you in the coming months.

[Source: CanadianDriver]

Wednesday

Nov142007

Lincon shows off new MKS

Nov 14, 2007

Lincoln has become a quasi-luxury brand. With so many Towncars running between the suburbs and the airport its hard to consider Lincoln being a premium brand. And the MKZ and MKX, as nice as they are, resemble their Ford cousins a little too closely.

Lincoln is hoping to turn their fortunes around with the new MKS.The MKS will replace the Towncar as the flagship model, though the Towncar will remain in production considering its a successful and profitable fleet vehicle.

Based on the same platform as the Volvo S80, the MKS will be powered by 3.7L V6 based on Ford's 3.5L design and will also feature AWD.

Exterior styling is pleasant, though it looks like a Infiniti Q45 from some angles. Thankfully no exterior or interior pieces are shared with any other Ford vehicle.

This may be an impressive product but Lincoln certainly has their work cut out for them.

[Source: The Detroit News]