It could be demolished by 2020 if sales slow down.
Jalopnik uncovered that the Lincoln Continental may cease production next summer. The model could disappear by 2020. This was the result of some excellent internet research. Blue Oval Forums users – who appear to be Ford employees- were candid about the uncertain future of the Flat Rock Assembly Plant, where the automaker makes the Continental along with the Ford Mustang.
According to one user, production at the plant is slowing down and production goals are dropping. One user also noted that 90% of 2019’s Continentals have been built . This information is consistent with the sources who stated that the luxury sedan was approved for next year’s model. Sources also stated that the Continental will be produced in 2020, but no plans are made after that date.
Ford is moving aggressively away from cars towards SUVs and crossovers. Ford announced last week that it wouldn’t bring the Focus Active to America because of Chinese import tariffs. Although the source suggests a 2020 Continental, Dearborn could quickly change its mind.
Rumours about the death of the Continental began to circulate in March, when Ford sources claimed that Lincoln might discontinue the model in 2019, or 2020. This is not far from the latest round. Ford had several models in mind when it announced its aggressive push toward SUVs and crossovers. It didn’t give any details on Lincoln’s future. The luxury brand has a strong lineup of crossovers, SUVs, and other models.
The writing is on the wall. Ford’s decision to stop making cars and the falling sales of the Continental mean that keeping the luxury sedan around is not financially prudent for a company trying to reduce costs wherever possible. The Continental will no longer be available. However, it is uncertain when it will go. As a last swan song, we can only hope that the sedan receives its rumored self-destructive suicide doors.