Besides adding minor exterior and interior upgrades to the Lincoln MKTS and MKS, the Ford-owned luxury brand will strongly focus on improving ride and handling to differentiate Lincoln from Ford. The next-generation of the MKS and MKT will get new steering, braking and suspension systems, sources say.

Ford is also considering introducing Lincoln to the Chinese market, says FoMoCo CEO Alan Mulally.

“We have a great luxury brand in Lincoln, which we have recommitted ourselves to,” Mulally said. “There’s going to be tremendous pull from China to have access to these great vehicles.”

Ford is investing $1.6 billion to build four new plants in China, where it will triple its lineup by offering 15 models by 2015.

China’s demand for luxury cars is expected to grow 35 percent, analysts at J.D. Power forecast.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News