Ford Swings To Big 2009 Profit

This just in: the Ford Motor Company has announced that the automaker turned a profit in 2009, registering a $2.7 billion gains thanks in part to significant debt reduction moves and other changes. That is important to note because Ford, like so many other automakers, sold fewer models last year.

Ford’s gain reverses steep losses sustained for the previous three years. Moreover, Ford made money while its two American rivals—General Motors and Chrysler—were overhauled thanks to federal government orchestrated bankruptcies and billions of dollars in loans and grants. Ford avoided government assistance and saw its share of the all important US sales market increase despite fewer cars sold.

Saving Money

Belt tightening played a significant role in helping Ford make a profit last year. But the automaker also rode on the back of several success stories in the form of new models and technologies including, but not limited to the Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, EcoBoost, Lincoln MKT, new Mustang, SYNC, all new Ford Taurus, and numerous product changes and upgrades.

Following the announcement of its profit, Ford management said that it should post a strong profit in 2010 without the benefit of accounting gains. This year Ford will be advancing its One Ford initiative where as many as six European models will find their way to the North American market.

New Models

In 2009, Ford began to import the first of these models, the Ford Transit Connect van. Late this spring the Ford Fiesta will be introduced, its “B” or subcompact segment model. By early next year an all new “C” or compact segment Ford Focus will hit the market followed by a European inspired Ford Escape, new minivan, and one other product.

Ford will also welcome a significantly updated Lincoln MKX later this year. Other models slated to be changed within the next 12-18 months include the Ford Explorer which will transition from an SUV to a crossover.

Big Debt

Ford is still carrying a significant debt load–$34.3 billion to be exact—while they’re also sitting on $25.5 billion in cash. Soon after Ford CEO Alan Mulally came onboard in 2006, the automaker hocked most of its assets to finance product development. That move paid off because when the stock market collapsed in 2008, Ford had the money they needed to press on while GM and Chrysler ran out of cash.

Ford’s gain comes as its chief Japanese rival struggles with a historic recall and product shut down. Toyota is expected to announce its second straight year of significant losses when their fiscal year ends on March 31, a stark contrast to the fortunes of the Blue Oval.

Source: Ford Motor Company

Lincoln MKX Receives Mid-Cycle Upgrade

2011 Lincoln MKX

The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) officially opens to the general public this Friday, but thanks to two intensive press preview days, the wraps have been taken off of everything that is new, exciting, and different on display at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

2011 Lincoln MKX Refresh

The Ford Motor Company took advantage of the show being in its own backyard (world headquarters are located in nearby Dearborn) with two Ford brand press conferences on Monday followed by its Lincoln press conference on Tuesday. And it was at that Tuesday conference where the 2011 Lincoln MKX was rolled out, an important mid-cycle refresh for this midsize crossover.

Change is what the 2011 MKX is all about, evident everywhere actually, a striking improvement over the 2007-2010 MKX.

The now trademark Lincoln split-wing grille gives the MKX an aggressive new face, a look similar to what is found on the larger MKT crossover along with the MKZ and MKS sedans. A new fender line has been incorporated with a newly raised arch seen over the front wheels. The exterior changes continue to the rear where the tail lamps feature a pair of distinct pieces. Larger exhaust tips round out the changes bringing up the rear.

2010 Lincoln MKX

Complementing Lincoln Crossovers

If you were to place the MKX next to the MKT you would see that Lincoln has gone to great lengths to make these crossovers share a common look. That bodes well for Lincoln as sales for the MKT are on the rise. In fact, at the Lincoln press conference Ford CEO Alan Mulally said that Lincoln sales are up 30 percent over the past five years, a clear indication that breathing new life into Ford’s luxury brand is paying off.

Inside, the MKX is all about taking its quality and luxury levels up a notch. According to company sources, the MKX is quieter than competitive vehicles from Lexus and Audi while offering better attention to cabin detail including new foam and sew styles on the climate-controlled leather seats with aluminum accents used throughout including on the doors and the instrument panel.

Like the Lincoln MKT, the Lincoln MKX makes good use of wood accents which can be found on the doors, dashboard, and steering wheel. The entire interior, as it were, has been brought up to reflect current Lincoln quality and design standards, with careful attention to detail such as subtle changes to vent brightwork, stitching, ambient lighting, and other touches.

And consider this point: what you have in the 2011 Lincoln MKX is a mid-cycle refresh – this is not an all new model, rather a major makeover.

Introducing MyLincoln Touch

Of course, I would be negligent if I failed to mention the evolution of Lincoln entertainment and navigation as found in MyLincoln Touch. Powered by Lincoln SYNC, this is a state of the art system that does away with traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges, replacing them with clear, crisp LCD screens and five-way buttons much like those found on cell phones and MP3 players.

Lincoln says that the screens can be personalized to display information relevant to each individual driver using a simple button click, voice command or touch screen tap.

Yes, “on the go” technology has arrived in the cabin of the Lincoln MKX, likely to be intimidating for those not technologically adept, but something that will be embraced by tech savvy thirty-something drivers, exactly the shopper Lincoln is appealing to with the MKX. Just keep your eyes on the road and no one will get hurt – which is the smart thinking behind Lincoln’s technology.

October 2010 Release

Buyers will have to wait until October 2010 to get behind the wheel of a 2011 Lincoln MKX. I will have more information about this updated Lincoln about that time, a vastly improved five passenger crossover which will retail from just under $40,000.

Source: Ford Motor Company