Ford's executive chairman says the Blue Oval will not turn its back on flagging luxury brand Lincoln
Bill Ford, great grandson of Henry Ford, has reiterated the company's commitment to its emerging Lincoln luxury brand at the Detroit motor show.
Speculation has long surrounded the brand's future, particularly with Ford chief Alan Mulally's commitment to developing global mass market vehicles under his One Ford policy and current European losses.
However at the launch of the Lincoln MKC small SUV concept, executive chairman Bill Ford said: "The Ford family is committed to Lincoln — fully committed. Lincoln is part of what we are. We have put in place the right people and right resources and we will stand by it."
Lincoln is expanding beyond America into China over the next two years, through a separate dealership network. Although Ford insiders say they are keeping an eye on further expansion, marketing boss Jim Farley says the focus must be in making the brand a success in the US and China before it considers new markets, including Europe.