Lincoln future product: Focus shift to China

Lincoln reached a milestone in 2021: It sold more vehicles in China than in the U.S. behind a larger product lineup that includes the Zephyr sedan. That trend is expected to continue as executives capitalize on the brand’s global footprint. 

The luxury make is preparing to electrify its lineup with three battery-electric vehicles by 2025 and a fourth by 2026, though current plans have only one of those EVs built in North America. 

With EV production focused in the world’s largest vehicle market, and North American production of both the gasoline-powered Nautilus and Corsair expected to end by mid-decade, Lincoln will likely begin importing vehicles to U.S. dealerships from overseas. 

Aviator-sized EV: An EV based on the Aviator was delayed alongside the Ford Explorer variant to make room for more Mustang Mach-E production in Cuautitlan, Mexico. Now it’s bound for Ford’s Oakville Assembly Plant, with production expected to begin in late 2024 and sales starting in early 2025. 

The three-row crossover is likely to borrow heavily from the Lincoln Star concept revealed this year. It’s unclear if Lincoln will keep the Star name for the production vehicle.

Midsize crossover EV: Lincoln had planned a midsize crossover EV, code-named CDX818, for U.S. production in 2025. That vehicle is now planned for China-only production, with U.S. sales plans unclear. 

Corsair-E: Lincoln had planned to build an electric version of its Corsair crossover in the U.S. by mid-decade but scrapped those plans earlier this year. The brand now plans to build the C-segment crossover in China starting in 2024, although U.S. sales plans are unclear. 

Navigator: The brand’s largest product was freshened earlier this year with new hands-free Lincoln ActiveGlide technology, a 13.2-inch center screen and a 5.8-inch digital module in the back seat that second-row passengers can use to adjust climate and audio settings. It also became the first Lincoln to offer optional second-row massaging seats. To date, U.S. Navigator sales in 2022 are down 28 percent to 7,367. A redesign of the gasoline model is expected in 2024. 

Aviator: Executives have suggested the Aviator would become Lincoln’s bestselling model, but the pandemic and supply chain shortages have kept that prediction from coming to fruition. Through July, U.S. Aviator sales were down 0.8 percent to 12,877, trailing both the Corsair and Nautilus. The crossover is due for a freshening in the second half of next year with minor updates that are likely to include the addition of the Lincoln ActiveGlide technology. Despite plans for an EV version by mid-decade, Lincoln expects to continue building the gasoline-powered and plug-in hybrid versions of the Aviator at its Chicago Assembly Plant, with plans for a redesign in 2025. 

Nautilus: The Nautilus will enter its final year of North American production in 2023, a casualty of converting Oakville Assembly into an EV facility. Production is expected to continue in China. 

Corsair: Through July, the Corsair is Lincoln's bestselling U.S. product, with sales rising 14 percent to 16,023. Lincoln plans to freshen its smallest nameplate in the first half of next year with some minor exterior updates and new technology, likely including Lincoln ActiveGlide. 

The website fordauthority.com recently reported Lincoln plans to drop the vehicle’s optional 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. Much like the Ford Escape, there’s currently no plans for a next-generation Corsair in the U.S. after production ends in 2025.