Lincoln Mercury Enters New Era as
Zephyr and Milan Production Begins
The latest entry-level pieces of the Lincoln Mercury product puzzle fall into place this week as production begins on a pair of all-new sedans -- the 2006 Mercury Milan and the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr.
When they reach dealerships this September, both vehicles will play a critical role for their respective brands by targeting new and younger customers.
Milan brings Mercury its first entry-level, five-passenger, midsize sedan in more than a decade, while Zephyr is being billed as Lincoln's first ever entry-level luxury vehicle.
"Milan's upscale, sophisticated styling will set its owners apart, while its unique interior environment and unexpected value will give customers everything they want in a midsize sedan -- without giving up style," said Al Giombetti, Lincoln Mercury president. "The new Zephyr is all about accessible luxury, making the Lincoln brand more relevant to a new generation of younger customers who are ready to move to a luxury vehicle."
Job One for both vehicles formally began yesterday at Ford Motor Company's Hermosillo Assembly Plant in Mexico.
While both Milan and Zephyr are built off the same platform (Mazda 6-based CD3), both vehicles deliver distinct exterior design cues and share no common interior parts.
"We've met all of our quality launch measurables, and we're ready to go," said Brian Vought, chief platform engineer for the Milan-Zephyr launch. "Ironically, Monday marked the exact day that we put on the calendar for the start of production when we began work on this program over two years ago. We're starting slow, at about five jobs per hour, and we'll start ramping up over the next 60 days to full production line speed."
2006 Mercury Milan
Entering one of the industry's most hotly contested segments, the Milan is designed to be the "youngest" Mercury vehicle, targeting so-called Gen-X customers between 26 and 35 years of age.
While featuring a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of just under $19,000 ($18,995), Milan models equipped with a V-6 engine and class-leading six-speed automatic transmission will begin at $21,995.
All entry Milan models come well-equipped with a number of standard features, including a premium audio system with an AM/FM single CD/MP3 player, analog clock, overhead console with sunglass holder, covered flip-up storage bin on top of the dash, six-way power driver's seat with manual lumbar, 16-inch wheels, air conditioning, speed control, tilt and telescoping steering wheel with secondary controls, and remote keyless entry.
"We've been lacking that entry level vehicle to get new and younger buyers into the Mercury showroom," said Laura Soave Stoppa, Milan marketing manager. "Our hope is to be in the 50,000-unit range (cycle year average) with this vehicle, which would be huge for Mercury. Milan's six-speed transmission also will be very unique to this segment, providing a performance boost that should appeal to many customers."
By 2008, Milan also is scheduled to become Mercury's second full-hybrid vehicle, joining the 2006 Mariner Hybrid, which is now on sale.
2006 Lincoln Zephyr
As Lincoln's first entry-level luxury vehicle, the 2006 Zephyr is a midsize, five-passenger sedan that looks to appeal to a younger luxury buyer.
Inside, the Zephyr features unique interior amenities like power-reclining seats that are heated with the option of cooled seats. A refined center stack with prominent information center serves as the controller for an optional DVD-based navigation system and optional second-generation THX-certified ultra premium audio system.
Zephyr also delivers a specifically tuned and more powerful version of the Duratec 30 3.0-liter V-6 engine (221horsepower) mated to a premium six-speed front-wheel-drive transmission. "The Zephyr makes the Lincoln brand more relevant to a new generation of younger customers who are ready to move into a luxury vehicle," said Gary Barham, Zephyr marketing manager.
