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Lincoln Continental Sales Decrease 44 Percent To 1,355 Units In Q1 2019

Lincoln Continental sales decreased in the United States in the first quarter of 2019.

Lincoln Continental Sales - Q1 2019 - United States

In the United States, Lincoln Continental deliveries totaled 1,355 units in Q1 2019, a decrease of about 44 percent compared to 2,405 units sold in Q1 2018.
MODEL Q1 2019 / Q1 2018 Q1 2019 Q1 2018
CONTINENTAL -43.66% 1,355 2,405

Competitive Sales Comparison

Lincoln Continental sales continued to suffer in the first quarter, yet again placing it in second place in its segment behind the Cadillac XTS (see Cadillac XTS sales). In fact, Lincoln only sold about a third as many units of the Continental as Cadillac did of the XTS. In all, the Continental accounted for 25 percent segment share, while the last-place Acura RLX sold 381 units for a measly 7 percent segment share.

In addition, the Continental saw the biggest sales volume decrease on a percentage basis.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury Sedans - Q1 2019 - United States

MODEL Q1 19 / Q1 18 Q1 19 Q1 18 Q1 19 SHARE Q1 18 SHARE
CADILLAC XTS -23.76% 3,734 4,898 68% 63%
LINCOLN CONTINENTAL -43.66% 1,355 2,405 25% 31%
ACURA RLX -17.71% 381 463 7% 6%
TOTAL -29.56% 5,470 7,766

The full-size premium sedan segment contracted nearly 30 percent in Q1 2019 to 5,470 units.


For informational purposes, we are providing sales figures for full-size prestige luxury cars, which are similar in size to the Continental but generally have significantly higher starting prices and vastly different buyer demographics/profiles.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Prestige Luxury Cars - Q1 2019 - United States

MODEL Q1 19 / Q1 18 Q1 19 Q1 18 Q1 19 SHARE Q1 18 SHARE
MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS +7.25% 3,151 2,938 32% 32%
LEXUS LS -16.03% 1,404 1,672 14% 18%
CADILLAC CT6 -11.31% 2,188 2,467 22% 27%
BMW 7 SERIES +27.39% 2,293 1,800 23% 19%
AUDI A8 +112.13% 787 371 8% 4%
TOTAL +6.22% 9,823 9,248

The Ford Authority Take

Lincoln Continental sales continued to disappoint during the first quarter, which is something the Ford Motor Company forecasted as it made the decision to discontinue the Continental after the current generation, according to our sources.

Even so, Cadillac will soon discontinue the XTS, which could work out in favor of the Continental prior to its rumored demise. As such, it will be interesting to see how future Lincoln Continental sales fare throughout the rest of 2019, especially with current market trends, which strongly favor utilities and trucks at the expense of sedans.

About The Numbers

  • All percent change figures compared to Lincoln Continental Q1 2018 sales
  • In the United States, there were 76 selling days in Q1 2019 and 76 selling days in Q1 2018
  • Cadillac XTS sales include:
    • XTS Sedan
    • XTS V-Sport Sedan
    • XRS Professional Vehicles, including:
      • W20 Livery Package
      • W30 Coachbuilder Stretch Livery
      • B05 Armored
      • B9Q Coachbuilder Funeral Coach
      • V4U Coachbuilder Limousine
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Frankie's first favorite car was a 1968 Ford Mustang, and he's had a strong appreciation for the nameplate ever since. Later in his youth he became infatuated with Eleanor, thanks to Nicholas Cage's stellar performance. Frank's a real jokester, too.

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Comments

  1. A Lincoln really shouldn’t be a bargain.. Upgrade the thing and raise the price significantly to appeal to the second (higher price bracket) segment, look no further than Hyundai.. And! don’t even try to make it into a sports car, just total luxury… Get use to it.. 10 years from now when electrics dominate this arena , there will be little to no sports luxury cars because we (still) won’t be able to properly drive them – literally – autonomous vehicles

    Reply
  2. seems like Ford/Lincoln are just blaming market trends to the unpopularity of sedans and thus the Continental model. But to me, this car needs something. from a styling point of view, it is not super appealing to traditional Lincoln buyers. its got almost european styling. to me, if i wanted a car that looked like a european car, I’d get one of those. I want a luxury car that is a luxury car by an American definition. that would be, long, more style and opulent looking. the continental is sort of lacking in this area. the trunk area is too stubby and there is not much chrome or other styling features that make it stand out from any other euro type car. the one thing i gather they did get right is they prioritized the ride and driving characteristics to be “luxurious” versus sporty. to me, i do not like or want my luxury car to be like a sports car. i want it to be a luxury car. so that part they got right from everything i have read. but the styling, is bland. i heard they were going to make a limited edition suicide doors model this year. that would help a lot. then add a little more length to the back and some more chrome trim and make it stand out as something more than just another large sedan.

    Reply
    1. Bland? Maybe just the back of it. Short and stubby? let’s face it, no one wants a uncle Tex land yacht anymore or those euro sedans wouldn’t be popular at all.
      I agree (Robert) with most of what you’re saying and I agree 100% about the focus on luxury – screw sport. When I think sport, lots of cars come to mind but not luxo liners period!!

      Reply
      1. Hi, possibly not as long and ostentatious as the 70’s American luxury cars. But this recent Continental is styled such that if you saw it going down the street, its not going to catch your eye as being something exceptional. It looks like just another car. With that being said, i do think the old school luxury liners do have more appeal than you might think. A few years ago, i bought a totally mint and stock 77 Town Car. I can’t even tell you how many people stop to talk to me about that car when they see it. Everyone loves that car. it is “impressive”. thats the element missing from todays Continental. its not impressive. by comparison, it is bland. there is just an air of regal luxury and opulence of the old style American luxury cars that is totally absent in todays luxury cars.

        Reply
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  5. I like the Continental’s looks and they did a very nice job on the interior. The problem I have with it is the way it drives. It is noisey too. However, the front seats are great. I agree with a previous writer in that you should not build a base luxury car for $55k and add $20k in options because it still drives like a $55k car. Genesis did it right. The car is loaded for $75k and it drives beautifully. A very nice car. Cadillac did the same thing with the CT6. Really, a luxury car with a four cylinder turbo. Dumb.

    Reply

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