The 2015 Lincoln MKC, which goes on sale next
summer, will have "the most accessible starting price point in
the segment," Ford said in a news release.
The price includes destination and delivery charges.
The MKC is key to reviving consumer interest in the Lincoln
brand, which saw its U.S. sales slip 1.4 percent through the
first 11 months of 2013. Overall sales grew 8.4 percent and Ford
brand sales rose 12.3 percent during that period.
Ford tried to relaunch the Lincoln brand late last year with the
MKZ sedan, but supply shortages as well as fit and finish
problems delayed the MKZ's launch until the spring of 2013.
The MKC allows Lincoln to compete for the first time in the
growing market for upscale crossovers. Rivals include the Acura
RDX, made by Honda Motor Co <7267.T>, which starts at $34,520,
excluding taxes and a $895 delivery and handling charge.
The Audi Q5 <VOWG_p.DE> and the Mercedes-Benz GLK <DAIGn.DE>
crossovers start at more than $37,000, while the entry-level BMW
X3 <BMWG.DE> costs around $38,850.
(Reporting by Deepa Seetharaman;
editing by Matthew Lewis)
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