Lincoln brand revitalised with Middle East launch of 'Travel Well' campaign.
All-new 2005 Navigator full-size luxury SUV joins Lincoln Middle Eastern lineup.
Navigator's 335-hp 5.4L 3V engine, unique 6-speed transmission, independent suspension and segment exclusive luxury amenities promise a smooth and elegant ride
Dubai, UAE - Ford Motor Company's American luxury brand, Lincoln, is back in the region, following a major relaunch announced recently by Ford Middle East and its importer-dealers.
The announcement was made at a special VIP launch event in Dubai, hosted jointly by Ford Middle East and Al Tayer Motors, the importer-dealer of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury in Dubai and the Northern emirates.
"Lincoln enjoys a very long history and heritage within Ford Motor Company as well as in the Middle East, and it's always good to step back and reflect upon it," said Randy Ortiz, executive director and general manager of Ford Motor Company's Worldwide Direct Market Operations, during his remarks. "Certainly as we look forward, we are in one of the largest revitalisations of the Lincoln brand in its history, and we aim to reiterate the same for this region, as we bring the right products to our Lincoln customers.
"We have just come off an all-time Lincoln SUV retail sales record in North America, and with the launch of the all-new Navigator in the Middle East, we are confident that this world-class full-size luxury SUV will drive the Lincoln brand's quest for a strong foothold in the growing luxury segment," he said.
The relaunch of the Lincoln brand in the region will be further driven by the introduction of a host of new products, led mainly by the 2005 Lincoln Navigator, coupled with the launch of a widespread communications campaign throughout the region, and dealership level initiatives.
"We believe a 360-degree brand experience that hits all consumer touch points is one of the most effective ways to reach Lincoln customers, and the new Lincoln campaign 'Travel Well' does just that," said Hussein Murad, Sales & Marketing director of Ford Middle East. "The new brand focus for Lincoln is an emotional benefit that promises to offer a superior sensory experience and an overall sense of well-being in the Lincoln ownership and driving experience."
"Travel Well's philosophy rides on the attributes of Lincoln's compelling presence, classic elegance, comfort and rewarding driver experience that complements the Lincoln customer," Murad explained. "The campaign encapsulates how the customer interacts with and enjoys the Lincoln products that promise to make every journey a fulfilling experience."
The All-New 2005 Lincoln Navigator
The 2005 Lincoln Navigator is equipped with a new 5.4L 3-valve V8 engine that boasts 335-horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, coupled to the unique ZF 6-speed automatic transmission. This premium transmission provides increased refinement and better fuel economy than the previous four-speed automatic.
Its extensive list of luxury and convenience features includes: available heated-and-cooled front seats, power deploying running boards, power-folding third row seats and a power liftgate.
According to Ford Middle East officials, the Lincoln brand offers the ultimate value to customers seeking well-built and sturdy vehicles, and safe travel, without compromising on luxury and comfort. These basic characteristics that blend in superbly with the 'Travel Well' campaign are sure to contribute to the successful reemergence of the Lincoln Navigator in the Middle East and strengthen its positioning in the ever growing, high-in-demand luxury SUV segment.
"Engineered to deliver remarkable ride quality and driving dynamics, excellent craftsmanship and purposeful luxury amenities, the Navigator effectively created the luxury full-size SUV segment after its launch in 1997," added Hussein Murad. "Today, it is more luxurious, more refined and more capable on and off-road, and delivers more of everything that made the vehicle successful in the first place. There is no doubt that this model will prove an instant success with our customers in the UAE and the region."
The Navigator features a refined exterior and interior that mix design cues from Lincoln's rich heritage with modern finishes and white light-emitting-diode technology.
The 2005 model also builds on a legacy of industry-leading safety. For 2005, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control is standard on all Navigators. The system adds a new industry-leading technology that can reduce the risk of vehicle rollovers. The system also gives drivers an interactive vehicle dynamics aid that can help correct oversteer and understeer skids.
In the UAE, the 2005 Lincoln Navigator is available at the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury importer-dealers, Al Tayer Motors (Dubai & Northern emirates) and Premier Motors (Abu Dhabi & Al Ain), alongside the spacious luxury full-size sedan, the Lincoln Town Car, and the high performance sports sedan, the Lincoln LS.
All Lincoln models come with a 4-year or 80,000 Km warranty, in addition to a 3-year or 60,000 Km free service package.
Editor's notes:
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 327,000 employees and 110 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company and Hertz. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.
Ford Motor Company's history in the Middle East goes back more than 50 years. The company's local importer-dealers operate more than 40 facilities in the GCC, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Yemen and directly employ more than 3,500 people, the majority of whom are Arab Nationals.
© Press Release 2005
