1994 Lincoln Mark Viii Base Coupe 2-door 4.6l 8 Cylinder on 2040-cars

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Jim Hackett says metal tariffs costing Ford $1 billion in profits

Ford CEO Jim Hackett divulged in an interview with Bloomberg that the Trump administration's tariffs on metals imported from the European Union, Canada and Mexico have affected the automaker's balance sheet, adding that trade disputes need a quick resolution. "From Ford's perspective, the metals tariffs took about $1 billion in profit from us," Hackett told the outlet. "The irony is we source most of that in the U.S. today anyways. We're in a good place right now, but if it goes on longer there will be more damage." Hackett did not specify what period the $1 billion covered, but a Ford spokesman said the CEO was referring to internal forecasts at Ford for higher tariff-related costs in 2018 and 2019. President Trump in March announced his intention to enact 25 percent tariffs on steel imports and 10 percent on imported aluminum from the three trade zones as a way to protect the U.S. steel industry. The move sent U.S. automakers' stock prices plunging at a time when they were coming off weak monthly sales reports. Separately, President Trump has targeted China with two rounds of tariffs targeting a combined $260 billion worth of imports. China has responded by enacting 25-percent tariffs on U.S. goods including vehicle imports. In the interview, Hackett said that has hurt demand for Lincoln, which has found a growing market for its luxury vehicles in China, and made the price of the Lincoln MKC less attractive to Chinese buyers. The MKC is built at the company's Louisville, Ky. assembly plant. "We've had to move people in that factory to other operations because of that trade problem," he said. It's not clear what those moves entail or how many workers were involved. Autoblog sought comment from a Ford spokeswoman and will update this story if we hear back. Ford last month announced it was scrapping plans to import the Focus Active small crossover to the U.S. from China because of the new 25-percent tariffs on Chinese imports. Material from Reuters was used in this report Related Video:

2024 Lincoln Navigator won't offer rear-wheel drive

Another Lincoln rear-wheel-drive trim bites the dust, following the course of the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus. When Cars Direct looked over an order guide for the 2024 Lincoln Navigator, the outlet discovered the omission of an RWD variant. The site inquired with Lincoln about the absence, anf the automaker responded, "24MY Navigator will be exclusively available as a 4x4." The relevant news for consumer wallets is that the change automatically raises the Navigator's base price by $3,000, the cost of adding four-wheel drive to the two trims that offer it, entry-level Premiere (currently called the Standard trim) and Reserve. The good news is that the order guide contained price data for the 2024 SUV, with Cars Direct saying the base Navigator MSRP is otherwise only going up $40. Early MSRP data for the 2024 model after the $1,895 destination charge, and the differences from 2023, shows: Premiere: $84,660 ($3,040) Reserve: $97,220 ($3,390)  Black Label: $112,646 ($1,495) Among the competitive set, the all-wheel drive 2024 Cadillac Escalade in base Luxury trim starts at $85,690, $1,030 more than the 2024 Navigator. The Cadillac's price gets pushed beyond the Navigator's by the $1,500 charge for three years of OnStar and Connected Services. Cadillac doesn't include this in the MSRP, instead listing the line in the Options section of the Summary page on the configurator; however, the "option" can't be removed. The 2023 Jeep Wagoneer Series III 4x4 — the top trim — starts at $77,200, the base trim of the 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 4x4 starts at $92,945. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 starts at $82,950, the BMW X7 xDrive40i starts at $82,895.   According to Ford Authority, Lincoln's leaving the 2024 Navigator pretty much alone while the automaker prepares a refreshed 2025 model. For next year, Flight Blue returns to the color palette for the Standard and Reserve trims, displacing Ocean Blue. The most recent 2025 Navigator spy shots haven't revealed much of note, but it's clear it will carry design influences from the new Nautilus.

The Lincoln Continental is back [w/videos]

Lincoln is making a huge splash in New York this week, rolling out the Continental Concept you see here. Not only does this bring back an iconic bit of Lincoln nomenclature (just as some competitors are making things more complicated), it previews the new Continental fullsize sedan that will come to market next year. This is "a concept which for us signals the future of what we call quiet luxury," Ford Motor Company president and CEO, Mark Fields, said during an event Sunday. "The Concept is a very strong hint – I'll underline very strong hint – as to what you'll see in the production vehicle." There's no other way to say it: the Continental looks stunning. It's a long, low-slung sedan, with a shape that's reminiscent of the Ford Interceptor Concept from 2007. But this thing is all Lincoln, and shows a host of new design cues that will no doubt work their way across the brand's range. Most notably, the split-wing grille is gone, with this new chrome centerpiece showing a "new face for Lincoln" (where have we heard that before?). The Continental also incorporates LED matrix headlamps, with laser-assist high-beams and tiny Lincoln logos embedded inside. For the doors, Lincoln uses "E-Latch" handles that tuck discretely into the Continental's beltine. The concept rolls on polished aluminum, 21-inch wheels with painted pockets. Up above, the Continental has a SPD SmartGlass tinting sunroof that can keep the interior up to 18 degrees cooler. Around back, the Continental has a wide, planted stance, with taillamps that stretch from side to side. These lamps have "light-through-chrome" technology, which means they have a chrome look when not illuminated. Rounding out the whole design are slim, wide exhaust outlets that look fantastic. The main focus of the Continental is luxury, and Lincoln says this car uses "the brand's most sensual materials ever." That includes Venetian leather seats and door panels, Alcantara on the seat inserts and armrests, a satin headliner and wool carpet. Lighting is also a key feature, with an ambient glow that radiates throughout the cabin and "soft-gold" LED lights in the center console. As for comfort, the Continental's 30-way seats are said to mold to passengers' sizes and shapes. Rear seat passengers have it best, though, with a two-seat layout, tray tables, a champagne storage compartment, and detachable, handmade Venetian leather travel cases.