Great article at CarBuzz this week...
Sales have been disastrous for the revived Continental.
https://carbuzz.com/news/lincoln-continental-may-get-the-axe-after-current-generation
So just why is the legendary Lincoln Continental doing so poorly? I know why.. UGLY!
Ok for one, SUV sales are up, car sales are down, thats an easy one. People have decided, especially in the US, that if they need to spend an arm and a leg, it better do a lot, be all wheel drive with great ground clearance, carry a lot of people, and carry a lot of stuff.
Gas prices have allowed Americans to purchase what they really want, larger vehicles. But hey, the Continental is big, right? No it is not. It has been streamlined and compressed down to near mid size levels. Customers want luxury and comfort.
That goofy drive selector that is on the dash right next to the radio. People do not like that crap. It is silly, and far too easy to hit R when you really just want to change the radio station. Stick to the old fashioned shifter. This is killing more brands than this one.
Leather, where is the leather? Ok seats have some, but the seats look funny. They adjust 10 ways to Sunday, but don't exude performance, comfort, or luxury. Heck put a large comfy couch into the thing. A continental should not have little seats with little bolsters.
The starting price of the Continental is $45k. Really? Are you kidding? For that price I can get me a BMW or some big SUV that I thought was too expensive until I saw this car. So people opt for a few bucks more to get a big (or small) SUV.
Where are the headlights, it looks funny. Oh and the lines of the body, it is one ugly car! The front grille is anemic as well.
Why are the heat and AC vents above the radio? The dash is also ugly. I have to drive and look at this wacky design all day? The controls are too low for older people, and young people will go get sport cars. No thanks..
Also, the car has no real personality. It blends in. Looks like all the other 4 door cars on the road. Swoopy, and hard to distinguish from a distance. Lincoln continental used to be a stand out unique design. Also, Lincoln vehicles just look like Fords with a few different chrome parts or moldings. No personality, not anymore.
What about performance, this is a V6 turbo charged engine. Don't tell us the numbers and why oh why turbo is better than a V8. Put a V8 into the thing. Spend $45k and we get a V6 turbo? Come on man!
I do like the 2 tone color steering wheel, but not for $45k. At least it has a CD player. But should not be an option, this means many will not have it. Yeah, remember CDs are on their way out, but many of us have a large library of CDs and would like to use them. This is a good addition, costs only $10 to have one!
But as far as the touch button start, I think people prefer a key. At least the older target audience does.
Matter of fact, if you look at the brochure, many of the toys are options. These should all be standard. This is your flagship luxury car, why is the Climate Package an option? Today people want a lot of tech, why is the Tech package an option? Just what is standard anyway? 4 wheels and a horn?
So I like Ford, yes Lincoln is Ford, I would choose the Explorer, Camaro, Navigator, Sierra Truck, F150, or something else, over the Continental. Many other people are too. It is no surprise to me.
