With the introduction of the Continental and redesign of the Navigator, Lincoln has made huge strides in reasserting itself as a premiere American luxury brand. Building on that newfound swagger, the upscale division is pushing into further differentiating itself from its mass market Ford sibling by requiring dealers to have stand-alone stores in the top 30 luxury markets.
The company believes that the solo locations can better serve their discriminating clientele rather than operating out of a Ford/Lincoln dual operation. According to Automotive News, Lincoln has about 150 dealers in those top 30 luxury markets, which account for nearly 70 percent of the segment’s volume. Nearly half the dealers have begun construction or have separate facilities for the brand, while Lincoln is looking to have the remaining 78 points converted by July 2021. Lincoln says sales have rose more quickly, some 48 percent, at these separate stores versus the overall division’s growth of 18 percent.
“Customers expect the environment to be equal to the product,” Robert Parker, Lincoln’s head of marketing, sales and service, told the trade paper. “They want to buy a luxury vehicle in a luxury environment.”
One of the benefits of putting in a separate sales and service facility in these markets is that those dealers will get a greater share of the high margin Black Label vehicles.
What customers will see in these new Lincoln stores are smaller, yet highly focused showrooms geared to showcasing two to six vehicles. Instead of massive 40,000-square-foot palaces, Lincoln’s plans call for more modest 6,000- to 8,000-square-foot one or two-story glass-encased spaces, a design called Vitrine, a French word for a glass display case. The new look is derived from an approach used at new showrooms opened in China and a pair of Lincoln Experience Centers in California and Texas.
VW expands color choices
If it seems that all cars, especially German imports, are painted the same colors such as black, gray, red, white and silver, you’re not far off the mark. Since dealers order the vehicles, they tend to stock safe hues. Travel to Europe, however, you’ll see a rainbow of color options, primarily because buyers there tend to order their cars and the colors.
To inject a little more life into the look of the 2019 VW Golf R, the auto maker announced the Volkswagen Spektrum Program that will allow buyers to choose from 40 custom order colors in addition to the five standard shades currently offered. The custom color will be offered as a $2,500 option.
The wide-ranging color palette is not only bold in its choices, but many of the looks pay homage to paint schemes on classic VWs. For instance, Viper Green Metallic was originally found on the European Mark 3 Scirocco, and later was used as a feature color on the Lamborghini Huracán. Other colors include a Deep Blue Pearl used on the Golf R32, Ginster Yellow that appeared on the 1997 Driver’s Edition GTI, and Mars Red from the first edition GTI.
VW will be adding a tool to its website to allow prospects to check out all 40 colors and the dealerships themselves will have a color sample kit with paint shop color cards with all the choices displayed. VW says the build and delivery time for these special orders is between two and four months.
2019 Audi A7, Nissan Sentra priced
As we draw closer to the official kick-off of the 2019 model year, two manufacturers announced pricing on some of their models. Audi’s 2019 A7 will be offered in three trim levels and will start at $68,000 for the Premium model. Premium Plus versions have an MSRP of $72,400 while the range-topping Prestige model costs $76,300. Destination adds $995 to the sticker. The A7 is powered by a 335-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 mated to a 7-speed automatic and 48-volt mild hybrid system. The A7 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds.
At the other end of the spectrum, Nissan announced pricing on its 2019 Sentra compact sedan. Among the changes for the new model year is the addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment on all models except the entry level S trim. The company also added a new SV Special Edition package with 17-inch alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, active cruise control and power moon roof.
Pricing starts at $17,790 for the 2019 Nissan Sentra S with a 6-speed manual. The Xtronic continuously variable transmission is $690 more. The Sentra SV starts at $19,090, the SR model is $20,590, and the SL is $23,020; all are equipped with CVTs. The S, SV, SR and SL models are powered by a 124-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, while the S manual is rated at 130 horsepower.
The SR Turbo model, which makes 188 horsepower from a turbocharged 1.6-liter cylinder engine starts at $22,570 and comes with the Xtronic transmission. The Sentra NISMO version using the same engine is $25,840 and comes with either a 6-speed manual or CVT. Destination and handling is $895 extra.
Rent a Corvette Z06
Hertz has found a unique way to celebrate its centennial by offering rentals of a special edition Hertz 100th Anniversary Edition Corvette Z06 in select markets. The commemorative edition Corvettes are painted yellow with contrasting black stripes, which match Hertz’ corporate colors.
"Hertz is a leader in the car rental industry for delivering a premium experience that is fueled by our longstanding commitment to provide our customers with caring and efficient service, and access to a variety of specialty and top-rated vehicles," said Hertz Senior Vice President of Brand Jayesh Patel. "We’re thrilled to continue to delight our customers and build upon our legacy of superior service and unique vehicle offerings with our special Hertz 100th Anniversary Edition Corvette Z06."
Daily rentals start at $199 plus various local fees and taxes. The Corvettes can be rented in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco and Tampa.
The rundown
Considering the donation of your old car to charity? If you use the new donate option here at Kelley Blue Book through Sept. 30, we’ll give an extra $100 to St. Jude’s Hospital. Details here.
The all-new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado pickup has been launched and we got behind the wheel of this revamped workhorse. Check out our take in this First Review.
Still waiting in the wings is the resurrected 2019 Ford Ranger, which is expected to go on sale early next year. The new midsize pickup will be priced from $25,395
In the market for a new car? Explore these useful tips on how to get the best deal:
Kelley Blue Book’s Complete Guide to Incentives
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