The Crank: How Ford can save Lincoln. No, really…

By John LeBlanc Ever since the 1990s Ford Explorer/Firestone tire fiasco, the Ford Motor Co. has made much ado about nothing with its Lincoln luxury brand. Ford was ready with a bunch of rear-wheel-drive products that would separate Lincolns from the more plebeian front-drive Fords. But then the tire crisis nearly did Ford in financially, […]

Top 10s: Cars That Need Resurrection

By John LeBlanc Recently, BMW of North America CEO Jim O’Donnell said he wished the automaker had never replaced its 5 Series Touring wagon with the 5 Gran Turismo hatchback model in North America. With expected annual sales of 4,000 to 8,000 units in the U.S., BMW sold just 2,848 GTs in 2010 and only 720 […]

Top 10s: Cliché Cars

[svgallery name=”Top 10 Cliche Car pics”] By John LeBlanc As you know, one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But how many of us have judged a driver by the car they drive? As in life, looks are important. It’s seemingly in human nature to create stereotypes of certain vehicles and their drivers, turning […]

The Crank: Lincoln’s naming strategy missing its Mark

By John LeBlanc I recently got a chance to drive the new 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sedan and updated 2011 MKX midsize crossover (preview article coming forthwith). All in all, both are pretty solid pieces of kit. Not only is the MKZ Lincoln’s first hybrid, because its based on the excellent bones of the Ford […]

Brand-Aid: Does Ford really need Lincoln?

By John LeBlanc Despite being the darling of the auto-world media right now (NO BANKRUPTCIES!! NO BAILOUT MONEY!! NO STICKY GAS PEDALS!!), Ford has a problem child: its name is Lincoln. Ah, yes, Lincoln. Remember? Ford’s luxury brand? Don’t feel ashamed if you’ve forgotten.

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