One has to be a really big fan of Lincoln to buy its products in China, as the MKZ sedan and MKC crossover are priced more than 50 percent higher than in their home market.
Lincoln has officially launched the MKZ and MKC in China, with prices starting from 315,800 yuan ($51,660 at today’s exchange rates) for the MKZ and 339,800 yuan ($55,590) for the MKC.
In the United States, the Lincoln MKZ and MKC start from $35,100 and $33,100, respectively (excluding destination fee). Besides the huge price increase due to China’s import duties, it’s interesting that the MKC is more expensive than the MKZ there, while in the US it’s the other way round – surely that has something to do with Lincoln taking advantage of China’s big appetite for SUVs.
The Lincoln MKZ sedan is offered with three trim levels, MKZ Select Series, MKZ Reserve Series and MKZ Preferred Series, while the MKC crossover is available in four trim levels: MKC Select Series, MKC Reserve Series, MKC Reserve Series with all-wheel drive and MKC Preferred Series. By 2016, Lincoln will expand its lineup in China with the MKX midsize utility vehicle, Navigator full-size SUV and a full-size sedan.
Lincoln models will be sold in newly designed and constructed independent Lincoln stores throughout China, with the company promising a personalized retail experience called “The Lincoln Way.” Key elements of The Lincoln Way include a welcoming environment featuring a relaxing tea room, personalized technology with an exclusive Personalization Studio, and complete sales and service transparency.
The first three Lincoln stores offering The Lincoln Way experience officially open on November 6 in Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou. Five more stores will open by the end of the year, with the company planning a total of 60 stores in 50 cities throughout China by 2016.
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