Lincoln to release one China-made model annually for 3 straight years

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Ford-owned premium car brand Lincoln will annually launch a new domestically-produced model in China for three consecutive years staring from 2019, said Mao Jingbo, president of Lincoln Asia Pacific and China when she was interviewed by local media.

She stated that Lincoln's first China-made model will be an all-new SUV model and the mass-produced Aviator, which is set to be unveiled at the 2018 LA Auto Show later this month, will be introduced by Changan Ford and hit the market at the end of 2019. To meet Chinese consumers’ demands, the automaker will make the locally-produced models adjusted in exterior, interior and powertrains.

According to a governmental file, Changan Ford was approved to locally produce the first Lincoln branded PV (passenger vehicle) model code-named U611 at its car plant in Hangzhou with an annual capacity of 30,000 units. The U611 will be a 3-row 7-seat SUV model powered by a 3.0L GTDI engine, which is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, the new model is said to have a PHEV version carrying a 3.0L GTDI engine to accommodate China's new energy vehicle policy. 

The other two locally-produced models might be the next-generation Lincoln MKZ and MKC, who will have longer wheelbases over the existing models to satisfy Chinese consumers' needs for larger space.