^ Maybe my whacked idea above is the solution and where Lincoln might end up in a couple years...
Actually, I agree with much of your solution. The MKT, MKZ, MKS, and existing MKX, IMO, are all unimpressive, and I won't shed any tears to see them go. But I think the one part on where we may (?) disagree is that I see the MKC and upcoming 2Gen MKX as both major improvements, and set Lincoln on a much better path for the future.
. What (wannabe) premium brand in U.S. market has experienced this kind of sales decline/death spiral in recent year or so?
Acura and Infiniti have not done very well lately in the U.S., though I wouldn't necessarily call it s death spiral. Cadillac sales (though far from a death spiral) have also taken a hit lately, though that might change with the upcoming new SUVs and CT-6. I know you think the new SRX is ugly, but we'll have to see how it actually does in the marketplace....and there will be the all-new compact SUV next year.
2. All the other brands with decade(s) of mostly poorly done badge engineering have been terminated, obviously competitive products and profits are key to success.
As I see it, right now, Ford cannot terminate Lincoln. They have no other choice....they HAVE to stick with Lincoln, for the time being. Having dumped Volvo, Mercury, Jaguar, and Land Rover,
there simply is no other existing division in the corporation for premium products, and it would probably cost too much to create an all-new one.
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