Jump to content
Create New...
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Lincoln To Stick With MK(Insert odd letter here) Naming Scheme

    William Maley

    Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

    January 17, 2012

    If you’re one of those people who doesn’t understands Lincoln's alphabet soup naming and just wished the brand would return to using actual names, you’re not going to be happy with this news.

    Last year, Ford CEO Alan Mulally hinted that Lincoln would drop the MK-alphabet soup and go back to using actual names.

    But it looks like that idea has gone into the trash. At the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Lincoln showed off the MKZ Concept, indicating the Zephyr name probably wouldn't be revived.

    "What I've learned in my career is it's product that matters, not the name," said Jim Farley, Ford's marketing chief to reporters.

    In a separate interview, Mulally said he had come to terms with the current naming structure at Lincoln.

    Source: USA Today

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    They should have 1 sports coupe called the Mark (insert #) and that's it! Lincoln is so downscale that the only thing that can class it up are some classy names. Town Car, Continental, Cosmopolitan, Versailles, etc.

    • Agree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    One thing weird w/ their naming scheme is there is no progression...MKZ is the junior car to the MKS instead of the other way around...MKT sort of fits relative to MKS, though...

    mercedees is just as messed up really; B, C, E, then S. suvs : G is the most expensive, then GL, then R, then M, then GLK. Then the sprinter, which fit's the 'pattern' nowhere.

    Personally, I abhor overtly simplistic naming schemes, like it's aimed at children.

    Lincoln MK( ) is the pits, tho.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Nobody remembers the MK vehicle names. They always get the wrong last letter. This to me is a high indicator of a failed naming strategy.

    Cadillac is nearly as forgettable with their scheme, but I think with the first letter being the variant instead of the last, it helps a smidge to ease confusion. Just a smidge.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Someone made a case in the ivory tower and got to keep their job since they justified this terrible naming scheme. They should have that person get in front of the camera and answer the crazy questions.

    I agree with everyone Their Naming sucks!!!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    That would be a fun thing to do and bring attention to the total lack of imagination in the auto industry for names.

    WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE

    BMW, MB, Cadillac, Audi, Porsche, Lincoln,

    Who else follows the stupid letters or numbers thing.

    Names always are better IMO.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    MK-I; MK-II; etc. would make for an interesting naming progression, and one based on MK as Mrk something... That would be Alhpanumerics with a connection to Licoln's past prosperity :AH-HA:

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    The lack of a strong design theme is what bothers me most... by leaving the silhouette basically similar to Fords they end up with the perception that they are just Fords with a fancy grille. Buick may use all the same platforms as Chevy, but there is substantially better visual differentiation between the brands.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    The lack of a strong design theme is what bothers me most... by leaving the silhouette basically similar to Fords they end up with the perception that they are just Fords with a fancy grille. Buick may use all the same platforms as Chevy, but there is substantially better visual differentiation between the brands.

    That was true for a very long time, but the new MKZ looks nothing like a Fusion, so hopefully that's the first step in finally giving Lincoln it's own identity with each subsequent model they release. I find the new MKZ very distinctive and appealing from the A-pillar back. I think the front needs some work, but it overall its great design and hopefully a sign of good things to come.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    I have no problem if there was ONE 'MK-' name, but when they're all of the same ilk, bleck.

    I agree that the MKZ (I had to googleimage it to see if I was referencing the right one) is distinctive and expressive.

    I just saw that 'self-steer' vid- the techies will eat it up but all it will do is enable texting while driving. Well, if a grandchild was driving their grandparent's car, that is.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    The lack of a strong design theme is what bothers me most... by leaving the silhouette basically similar to Fords they end up with the perception that they are just Fords with a fancy grille. Buick may use all the same platforms as Chevy, but there is substantially better visual differentiation between the brands.

    That was true for a very long time, but the new MKZ looks nothing like a Fusion, so hopefully that's the first step in finally giving Lincoln it's own identity with each subsequent model they release. I find the new MKZ very distinctive and appealing from the A-pillar back. I think the front needs some work, but it overall its great design and hopefully a sign of good things to come.

    Side Profile Screams Volvo to me. The Rear is truly a break and does not say Rebadged Ford. The front end is just plain awful IMHO.

    I have no problem if there was ONE 'MK-' name, but when they're all of the same ilk, bleck.

    I agree that the MKZ (I had to googleimage it to see if I was referencing the right one) is distinctive and expressive.

    I just saw that 'self-steer' vid- the techies will eat it up but all it will do is enable texting while driving. Well, if a grandchild was driving their grandparent's car, that is.

    I agree that their whole MK........... naming system will end up confusing people as the 3rd letter does nothing to tell you if it is a car, CUV, SUV, Hybrid, Truck etc.

    I have come to the feeling that most auto companies have lost any common sense in their ability to name auto's with a solid market driving name and auto identity.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    >>"the 3rd letter does nothing to tell you if it is a car, CUV, SUV, Hybrid, Truck etc."<<

    No; I reject this overly-simplistic system. Rampant homogenization is draining the last shreds of soul out of automobiles.

    If a person can't look at an SUV and tell it's an SUV without reading a code letter, screw 'em.

    And as for more & more OEMs stuffing engine liters into vehicle 'names', screw their lack of creativity.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    >>"the 3rd letter does nothing to tell you if it is a car, CUV, SUV, Hybrid, Truck etc."<<

    No; I reject this overly-simplistic system. Rampant homogenization is draining the last shreds of soul out of automobiles.

    If a person can't look at an SUV and tell it's an SUV without reading a code letter, screw 'em.

    And as for more & more OEMs stuffing engine liters into vehicle 'names', screw their lack of creativity.

    It's not that. It's that in discussion saying "I drive a Lincoln MKX" and then the person says "Is that the car or the SUV?" Even worse is Lincoln MKT.... "OH I loved that Lincoln Truck!"

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    But that's dumbing your entire identification system down to the LCD- who wants to do that?? The vast majority of consumers have no earthly idea what a E350 is, more probably identify it as a cube van than a mercedees 4-dr.

    No manufacturer should bend over to the clueless. So some don't know what it is by the moniker alone in conversation, either they learn these things or continue to look stupid.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Posts

    • Neat abandoned gas station video. 
    • Very cool, as one that does not get into planes, those kind that can land on land and water all look the same to me. Reminds me of the Indiana Jones Movie plan that was on water too.
    • Living in Ohio has never felt so good.  It seems to have made landfall with less damage than expected, which is good.  I love this. Kia is building some hella stylish vehicles! I like that area. Visiting up north in the Panhandle next month.  I just find astrology mindless. 
    • Houses on stilts are pretty common in the Florida Keys, remember them from 40 years ago growing up there.  I saw a bunch built that way recently in the NC Outer Banks and in SC--Myrtle Beach, Garden City, Surfside Beach.  The Outer Banks and coastal SC remind me so much of the Keys.   (Have insomnia this morning.. up doing random tasks..checking server logs, filling out vote-by-mail ballot, looking at maps, watching hurricane coverage, etc..)
    • Insane.  Milton made landfall at Siesta Key in Sarasota County as a 3.  It was forecast to come in between Tampa Bay and Port Charlotte.  I forgot the strength of the previous ones that recently hit the southwest coast of FL. So much preparation was needed.  I saw a clip on evacuating the animals from the Tampa Zoo. I'm sad for those who didn't make it out.  They mentioned that a plane carrying evacuees crashed. It's working its way northeasterly across the peninsular state.
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search