Lincoln eyes luxury SUV production

Source: Xinhua | 2017-03-14

FORD Motor’s luxury unit Lincoln said yesterday that it plans to produce sport-utility vehicles in China by late 2019.

An all-new SUV will be built in partnership with its joint venture partner Changan Automobile Co in Chongqing. Lincoln said domestic production will meet soaring demand of SUVs from Chinese customers.

“We are excited about the opportunity to further tailor Lincoln vehicles for Chinese customers,” said Amy Marentic, president of Lincoln China.

Making in China makes sense as the brand has ambitions to grow from a small luxury producer to one with substantial volumes, Marentic said.

Lincoln sold 32,558 vehicles in China in 2016, a jump of 180 percent from a year earlier.