AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

2006 Lincoln Zephyr

Next fall, Ford rolls out the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr midsize sedan. This model is built on the same platform as the upcoming Ford Fusion (think Taurus replacement). From the early pictures, it looks every bit a Lincoln. It looks handsome and upscae. It remains to be seen if another Ford model will be crippled by the lack of a competent V-6 engine bigger than 3.0 liters. Ford planned to have a new 3.5 liter engine available at launch, but the 3.5 has been delayed.

The delayed engine, combined with delays in the Ford-GM 6-speed transmission program really show in Ford's current and upcoming products. The Ford 500 and Freestyle are modern designs saddled with an engine that is short on torque for vehicles of their size. Ford has to buy the transmissions from outside suppliers because the in-house transmissions were not ready on time.

Ironically, in 1999 Ford was on a roll with its trucks and SUVs. At that time, it seriously considered buying Nissan. Nissan was struggling with a product line in serious need of updating. Ford declined to buy Nissan, reportedly due to underfunded pension obligations in Japan. Renault came in as Nissan's saviour, and Nissan's new product pipelines soon bore fruit with a great 3.5 liter V-6, a modern midsized platform that became the current Altima, Maxima, Murano and Quest minivan, an updated midsized pick-up and a brand new full-sized pick up. Of all the Nissan product introductions, the only one that Ford matched was the full-sized pick-up. Ford is at least 5 years behind where it should be on midsized sedans and, even more importantly, on new engines.


Zephyr aims to revive Lincoln's luxurious past - 01/10/05