Lincoln Continental sales decreased in all markets tracked by Ford Authority, including in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea during the third quarter of 2020.
Lincoln Continental Sales - Q3 2020 - United States
In the United States, Lincoln Continental deliveries totaled 1,297 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 32 percent compared to 1,896 units sold in Q3 2019.In the first nine months of the year, Continental sales decreased about 18 percent to 3,872 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 | Q3 2020 | Q3 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONTINENTAL | -31.59% | 1,297 | 1,896 | -18.33% | 3,872 | 4,741 |
Lincoln Continental Sales - Q3 2020 - Canada
In Canada, Lincoln Continental deliveries totaled 30 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 23 percent compared to 39 units sold in Q3 2019.In the first nine months of the year, Continental sales decreased about 59 percent to 62 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 | Q3 2020 | Q3 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONTINENTAL | -23.08% | 30 | 39 | -58.67% | 62 | 150 |
Lincoln Continental Sales - Q3 2020 - South Korea
In South Korea, Lincoln Continental deliveries totaled 121 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 28 percent compared to 168 units sold in Q3 2019.In the first nine months of the year, Continental sales decreased about 16 percent to 343 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 | Q3 2020 | Q3 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONTINENTAL | -27.98% | 121 | 168 | -16.14% | 343 | 409 |
Lincoln Continental Sales - Q3 2020 - Mexico
In Mexico, Lincoln Continental deliveries totaled 7 units in Q3 2020, a decrease of about 36 percent compared to 11 units sold in Q3 2019.In the first nine months of the year, Continental sales decreased about 51 percent to 20 units.
| MODEL | Q3 2020 / Q3 2019 | Q3 2020 | Q3 2019 | YTD 2020 / YTD 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONTINENTAL | -36.36% | 7 | 11 | -51.22% | 20 | 41 |
Competitive Sales Comparison (U.S.)
Despite a 32 percent decline, Lincoln Continental sales during the third quarter of 2020 kept the vehicle in first place in its competitive class.
Behind the Continental was the Acura RLX in second, followed by the discontinued Cadillac XTS (see Cadillac XTS sales) in third. It’s worth noting that the Continental outsold the other two rivals on a combined basis.
Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury Sedans - Q3 2020 - United States
| MODEL | Q3 20 / Q3 19 | Q3 20 | Q3 19 | Q3 20 SHARE | Q3 19 SHARE | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LINCOLN CONTINENTAL | -31.59% | 1,297 | 1,896 | 68% | 60% | -18.33% | 3,872 | 4,741 |
| ACURA RLX | +196.83% | 374 | 126 | 20% | 4% | -2.88% | 776 | 799 |
| CADILLAC XTS | -78.94% | 242 | 1,149 | 13% | 36% | -90.44% | 979 | 10,242 |
| TOTAL | -39.67% | 1,913 | 3,171 | -64.35% | 5,627 | 15,782 |
From a market share standpoint, the Continental accounted for 68 percent of the segment, significantly ahead of the 20 percent for the Acura RLX and 13 percent for the XTS.
The large premium sedan segment contracted 40 percent in Q3 2020 to 1,913 units, meaning that Continental sales fell at a slower rate than the segment average.
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 as well as different buyer demographics and profiles.
Sales Numbers - Full-Size Prestige Luxury Cars - Q3 2020 - United States
| MODEL | Q3 20 / Q3 19 | Q3 20 | Q3 19 | Q3 20 SHARE | Q3 19 SHARE | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS | -6.71% | 2,447 | 2,623 | 43% | 41% | -24.47% | 6,630 | 8,778 |
| BMW 7 SERIES | -36.24% | 1,369 | 2,147 | 24% | 34% | -38.19% | 4,217 | 6,822 |
| LEXUS LS | -33.95% | 826 | 1,251 | 14% | 20% | -42.17% | 2,283 | 3,948 |
| AUDI A8 | +69.51% | 656 | 387 | 11% | 6% | -2.56% | 1,673 | 1,717 |
| GENESIS G90 | * | 412 | * | 7% | 0% | * | 1,559 | 0 |
| TOTAL | -10.89% | 5,710 | 6,408 | -23.06% | 16,362 | 21,265 |
The Ford Authority Take
The ongoing decline in Lincoln Continental sales isn’t particularly surprising for two reasons:
- Most consumers continue to choose utility vehicles (CUVs and SUVs) over sedans.
- The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that significantly impacted the U.S. (and the rest of the world, as well as the auto industry at large) during the first, second and third quarters had a negative impact on production, with FoMoCo losing about 65 days of production, in turn, negatively impacting availability and sales volume.
Despite the Continental’s first place finish in its segment, sales of the large sedan were still half that of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class – a model that roughly doubles the Continental’s average transaction price. In other words, Mercedes-Benz managed to sell nearly twice as many units of a vehicle that costs twice as much.
As first reported by Ford Authority, Ford has been planning to discontinue the Continental after the 2020 model year. The last Continental has already rolled off the line at the Ford Flatrock plant.
About The Numbers
- All percent change figures compared to Lincoln Continental Q3 2019 sales, unless noted otherwise
- In the United States, there were 77 selling days in Q3 2020 and 76 selling days in Q3 2019
- Ford Motor Company sales Q3 2020 U.S.A
- Ford sales Q3 2020 U.S.A. (Ford brand)
- Lincoln sales Q3 2020 U.S.A.
- Ford China sales Q3 2020
- Ford Motor Company Canada sales Q3 2020
- Ford Canada sales Q3 2020
- Lincoln Canada sales Q3 2020
- Ford Motor Company Argentina sales Q3 2020
- Ford Argentina sales July 2020 (Ford brand)
- Ford Argentina sales August 2020 (Ford brand)
- Ford Argentina sales September 2020 (Ford brand)
- Ford Motor Company Brazil sales Q3 2020
- Ford Brazil sales July 2020 (Ford brand)
- Ford Brazil sales August 2020 (Ford brand)
- Ford Brazil sales September 2020 (Ford brand)
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales Q3 2020
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales July 2020
- Ford Korea sales July 2020
- Lincoln Korea sales July 2020
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales August 2020
- Ford Korea sales August 2020
- Lincoln Korea sales August 2020
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales September 2020
- Ford Korea sales September 2020
- Lincoln Korea sales September 2020
- Ford Motor Company Korea sales July 2020
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales Q3 2020
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales July 2020
- Ford Mexico sales July 2020
- Lincoln Mexico sales July 2020
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales August 2020
- Ford Mexico sales August 2020
- Lincoln Mexico sales August 2020
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales September 2020
- Ford Mexico sales September 2020
- Lincoln Mexico sales September 2020
- Ford Motor Company Mexico sales July 2020
- Ford Russia sales Q3 2020
- Ford Russia sales July 2020
- Ford Russia sales August 2020
- Ford Russia sales September 2020
Continental News
1969 Lincoln Continental Executive Limousine Up For Auction
A very presidential - and rare - ride.
Read More »
2000 Lincoln Continental With Just 33K Miles Up For Auction
Easily one of the nicest examples out there.
Read More »
Comments
This is the demise of the last real Lincoln. Not everyone likes SUV´s or Crossovers, is willing to buy one or even considers them as luxury vehicles. No matter how Ford intends to convince about their reasons, the cancelling of sedans, and specially in a brand like Lincoln is one of Ford biggest nonsenses in its history. Probably the mistake is as big as Edsel was. No luxury car brand in the world is staying without at least one sedan in its lineup due to the fact that not every luxury car buyer considers an SUV or a Crossover as a luxury vehicle. If Lincoln intends to compete with MB, BMW, Audi, Cadillac, Lexus, Infiniti, Jaguar, Acura or even Tesla and Lucid, without a flagship sedan Lincoln is way behind its competitors and it´s not even competitive against them. The market is cyclic and letting a whole segment go, will only make that those buyers leaving now to other brands may not come back to Ford/Lincoln when market trends change again as they will become familiar with those other brands. Because market trends will change again . That´s mathematical certainty. This SUV´s and CUV´s fever will not last forever like no human activity does. Ford/Lincoln shouldn´t let that market segment go. Each one of Ford/Lincoln competitors know that and therefore are trying to keep that market. In my case, after over 30 years buying Ford, I have switched to GM (actually I drive a Chevrolet Volt) and my next car will be probably a Tesla Model S. Besides the Mustang, from Ford/Lincoln I will buy absolutely nothing until they produce a sedan again.
Ah, yes. The guy that wants Lincoln sedans and whines on every single post that mentions them or Ford cars drives a Chevy Volt.
You haven’t bought a Ford in years. You’re part of the market of enthusiasts that complains about the direction of the market, but has done nothing in the past 7 years to help the market in the direction you prefer. It’s not enthusiasts that determine where the market goes, but the buyers.
Once you accept that, you’ll find yourself whining a whole lot less.
Ah yes, you are the guy saying nonsense again without having a single clue of how the market works and disqualyfing everyone who doesn´t think like you. If you don´t like my whining, don´t read me. I will not stop doing it. Better have a merry Christmass. Regards
This was to be expected, after all what did they expect when the world was told that FOMOCO was discontinuing the Continental as well as all sedan style vehicles. Are the individuals in charge so intellectually challenged that they could not predict this outcome!!!
Completely agree.
Jim Farley or Jim Hackett are not car guys what not to UNDERSTAND? If Ford build a front wheel drive MUSTANG it will sale like the CONTINENTAL, So if Lincoln use the Rear Wheel Drive Chassis from the Avatar to build a Real CONTINENTAL it will sale. If Ford can sale all Truck, SUV Coupe and Convertible MUSTANG then Lincoln would have NO PROBLEM selling A SEDAN, PROBLEM SOVLED it’s not ROCKET SCIENCE JUST COMMON SENSE GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR. Lincoln build the wrong sedan slap a Iconic name on it and discontinued it and expect sales to grow EPIC FAIL LINCOLN
Completely agree.
Ah, I see you’ve read the article with the same lack of comprehension you typically use, Roy.
A for effort, though.
I can see why they had problems. Great cars, loved my Lincoln and they treated me horrible at the dealership. Bought one Lincoln and leased two. Tried to renew my lease and they reneged on my 3 month lease payment deal and wouldn’t give me fair lease price. I went to Audi. Sad…
Is it any wonder? Who can afford it? Only people with lots of money. I surely am not going to put $75,000.00 o to an automobile.
i couldn’t have said it better GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT!!! pass the sentiment to the dealerships the re-emergence of the CONTINENTAL . put LINCOLN back on the map. you have now made Lincoln loyalist defect to the other side. Cadillac Lexus Jaguar.Take us for granted We’ll go where incentives are granted!!!
If it was what car BUYERS wanted, as opposed to what the enthusiasts wanted, there is no doubt that Ford/Lincoln would still be making cars. If the market wasn’t moving away from cars, they would probably still be making them.