'the burden of being Lincoln'

[Buntz]

I assume that burden is being owned by Ford Motor Company. Lincoln's stale range and lack of vision, direction, and the funds/approval to get there.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/11/f...being-lincoln/

For at least two years, the plot lines concerning Lincoln have been "How much longer until Ford kills it?" and then "How much longer until Ford turns it around?" We were told that the 2013 MKZ would begin the resurrection of a brand that many felt nostalgia for, but not love (not unlike Cadillac of not so long ago). But Lincoln knows it can't get back in the good books with just one new model; Ford's global marketing chief, Jim Farley, clued Automotive News into the lengths Lincoln will go to get customers' attentions again.

Calling it "the burden of being Lincoln," Farley said that the company's duty is to "remove any barrier that would prevent people from considering a Lincoln, taking a test drive and deciding to buy." That means a "massive" and experiential marketing campaign called, in the interim, "Reimagined," that not only wants to make the case for the brand and its cars but give consumers plenty of ways to get into those cars and drive them. Perhaps most importantly, the campaign aims to do this with younger consumers: 65 is the average age of the Lincoln owner, Farley would like to get that particular demographic way down to the 35-50 bracket.

In attempt to make the most of every interaction, Farley said Lincoln will inaugurate at 24/7 "concierge service" that offers live sales reps to help customers build and price an MKZ. It will also rebrand itself Lincoln Motor Company, which is a bit of a head-scratcher, but apparently they've determined that that's what will resonate better with the "cultural progressive magicians" and "agile visionaries" in the 35-50 age group they're after. The push will commence with a music performance on November 26, around the time of the Los Angeles Auto Show. We don't have details on the event yet, but it will be live-streamed on the website that's home for the campaign.

That's because Ford... only 63 year olds would pay for the luxury of what is basically the highest trim level of a donor Ford. And 35-50 years olds would be buying the Mustang. Or going elsewhere if wanting four doors. And more discerning customers would just buy a Ford.

You need something that's not just luxurious, but is in itself a luxury, in existence, and to own, has no other purpose but itself. That would be performance coupes and saloons. We know where you can get some... you own them too.