Lincoln’s China sales jump 22% in May after China-built SUV hits the market

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Lincoln saw its China sales in May exceeded 5,000 units, which soared 39% month on month and jumped 22% year on year, the Ford-owned premium car brand announced earlier this week.

During the same period, new records were also chalked up in the sales volume of single model—the Lincoln Corsair, the order size for entire product lineup, the footfall to dealership outlets and the sales leads.

(All-new Corsair, photo source: Lincoln China)

Those record-breaking performances should be largely attributable to the advent of the all-new Corsair, the first Lincoln-branded China-made model that hit the market in March. Offered in five variants in total, the compact SUV is priced between 246,800 yuan ($34,646) and 345,800 ($48,544). There were over 2,400 units of the locally-made model sold last month, a vigorous growth of 60% compared to April.

Lincoln said it planned to make five new models domestically produced in a bid to raise its sales in the world's largest auto market with lower cost.

(All-new Corsair, photo source: Lincoln China)

Additionally, the affluent policies for car shopping and services also contributed in part to the remarkable sales growth. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Lincoln shifted its sale focus to online platforms from on-the-spot scenarios. For instance, it launched a cloud-based online car showroom, and offered door-to-door test-ride/-drive service that is customized based on consumers' demands.

To make breakthroughs in marketing channels, the automaker entered into a strategic cooperation in May with DiDi Luxe, the upscale “chauffer” service unit of DiDi Chuxing. Under the cooperation, commuters in Beijing and Hangzhou can hil Lincoln's imported Continental sedans through DiDi's app.