With relatively poor sales the Ford Edge and its hideously-styled Lincoln-MKT derivative may be phased out in 2013 after just one generation. While a response to the lack of success for each model, Ford has a larger plan for its two remaining brands, aiming to create a larger gap between Ford and Lincoln.
With the introduction of the new 2011 Explorer, the Ford crossover lineup now has too many products and the Flex is the most likely to get the axe. We won’t be the first to suggest that a Lincoln-branded version of the Explorer could be on its way. This plan is also expected to include a redesign of the MKX in 2014 that will see it move away from the Edge.
Interestingly, while the larger Ford plan will see Ford and Lincoln move apart from each other, Ford is planning a compact front drive car or crossover for Lincoln. This could be a new model based on the upcoming Focus – especially as the elimination of the Mercury brand will also put an end to plans to bring a Focus-based Mercury to market. As for the possible crossover, we’d expected this to be a Lincoln-branded version of the upcoming Escape-replacement – which will fall more in line with the European Ford Kuga. A Lincoln compact crossover would also be a perfect competitor to the rumored Buick compact crossover that’s either going to be based on the Chevy Cruze or Chevy Aveo architecture.
[Source: AutoNews via Autoblog]