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Ford Authority

2024 Lincoln Nautilus Production Slated For September

The all-new, redesigned 2024 Lincoln Nautilus debuted back in April, ushering in an entirely new era for the luxurious crossover. The 2024 Nautilus has been completely restyled inside and out and features a slew of updated technology – along with a higher price tag than its predecessor, as is often the case. Now, sources familiar with the matter have told Ford Authority that the brand new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus is slated to enter production next month, which will be notable for those intending to purchase one.

2024 Lincoln Nautilus production is currently scheduled to begin at the Changan Ford Hangzhou Assembly plant in China on September 6th, 2023 ahead of its planned North American launch early next year. However, as is always the case, this date is subject to change – and very well could given ongoing supply constraints.

Regardless, this marks yet another big change for the Nautilus, which is currently produced at the Oakville Assembly plant in Canada. As Ford Authority reported back in April, The Blue Oval plans to begin building all-electric versions of the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator at the Oakville plant starting in 2025, which will effectively take the place of both the Nautilus and its platform-mate, the Ford Edge.

Along with standard all-wheel drive, the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus brings about a host of updates for the crossover in addition to its completely new exterior and interior styling, including a massive coast-to-coast display screen and 11.1-inch center screen inside the cabin, BlueCruise 1.2, extensive ambient lighting, a host of digital scents, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, a new Lincoln Embrace design, the new Lincoln Rejuvenate feature, the ability to receive over-the-air software updates, and 5G network capability.

We’ll have more on the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Lincoln news, Lincoln Nautilus news, and continuous Ford news coverage.

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.

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Comments

  1. I love my 2019 Lincoln Nautilus, the second Lincoln I owned. I also was proud to own a car that was built in Canada. I was planning to purchase the 2024 version until I discovered it was to be manufactured in China, a country with little regard for human rights in a Communist Regime.
    I will never buy a car “Made in China” and am disappointed that Ford chose to take these jobs out of North America.

    Reply
    1. Ford didn’t take any jobs out of North America. The Oakville plant will remain open to build something else and not a single North American job was lost due to the Nautilus’ change in manufacturing location. The fact is, there was nowhere else to build it. It’s a relatively low volume vehicle that now has no mass market platform mate to build in enough scale to make financial sense in its own factory. No other model made by FoMoCo shares its unique modified C2 platform, which means it needs unique tooling. So, it was either this move to a factory that will build enough volume consisting of entire world’s supply of them…or Nautilus gets canceled altogether.

      As the owner of a 2019 Nautilus who’s looking forward to owning the next generation model, I’d rather have one built in China than the model being discontinued altogether. As for not buying things made in China, I understand the very valid sentiment, but the reality is there are very few things any of us own not made there. One has to wonder if the anti-Chinese manufacturing crowd is aware of the irony of such thoughts being typed on their made in China iPhones. I don’t see anyone refusing to buy those because of where they’re made.

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      1. Finally someone said it!!

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      2. Well said, Craig! 👍

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      3. There’s a bit difference between a $500 phone and a $60-$80K vehicle. But I am sure Ford loves customers that are willing to pay $60-$80K for a vehicle that cost Ford half as much to make. At least if one buys a Cadillac XT5, the Americans are being employed.

        As far as luxury brands are concerned, Lincoln is using the 1980-2000 model where they have a limited number of offerings that sell in high volumes (ala the Town Car). In today’s luxury car environment, makers have to have a wide variety of offerings (at least 8-12) that sell in numbers of 10,000-40,000 units a year. BMW and Benz figured out this formula. Their US plants produce a number of different vehicles in different sizes and body styles in lower volumes. Lincoln is more or less a marginal also-ran brand that seems like an afterthought to Ford Motor Company. If they are really serious about reviving the brand, perhaps they should recommit to it by offering a full range of vehicles and have a dedicated plant building them.

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        1. But Lincoln had higher sales during that period than they do now because they offered product we actually wanted to buy. Plus, they looked the part and not a re-grilled Ford. Lincoln had a dedicated plant to build vehicles as well. Not anymore. Lincolns from 1980 – 2000 had much better style, offerings and were competitive. You can’t say that now about Lincoln. Lincoln is currently so behind.

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          1. Concur…….

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        2. Building the Nautilus in China does not result in half the manufacturing costs. China’s manufacturing cost advantage over the United States has shrunk to just 1% according to a study by the Boston Consulting Group. How is that possible? Let’s unpack that. Your average line worker at a UAW-represented American assembly plant today makes about $29 per hour, although starting wages can run as low as $16 an hour. In China, hourly pay for the same work ranges from $4.20 at companies such as Geely and BYD to $9.00 or so at Daimler’s joint-venture assembly plant in Beijing. Big difference in overhead, right? Not so fast. Labor isn’t the only manufacturing cost. China has extremely high energy bills compared to USA that Ford must pay to run its factory there. Then there’s hefty shipping costs. Also, America’s higher levels of automation and lower input costs (such as electricity) have triggered dramatically better productivity here. Lastly, China imposes steep tariffs and value-added taxes on raw materials imported into the PRC. So, any cost savings from cheaper labor rapidly evaporates after factoring the other total manufacturing costs to the point where the overall cost of manufacturing is comparable.

          Next it’s stated that other luxury automakers have a wide variety of offerings (at least 8-12) that sell in numbers of 10,000-40,000 units a year and that their US plants produce several different vehicles in different sizes and body styles in lower volumes. That’s not entirely true. While varied models and body styles are made, there’s a lot of shared engineering underneath. BMW’s lone US plant makes X3, X3 M, X5, X5 M, X7, X4, X4 M, X6 and X6 M. That sounds impressive, but all those models consist of only 3 different platforms to provide tooling for in reality. Mercedes’ lone US plant makes GLE and GLS. Both share the same platform. None of these models could be produced by themselves. The 2024 Nautilus comparatively has no corporate cousin with which to share its engineering in a North American plant for economy of scale. If the Edge were still in production for 2024, both would still be made in North America together. Its discontinuation is what forced this change in manufacturing location. Nautilus was originally going to be canceled with Edge. The decision to build it in China alongside it’s China-only platform mate Lincoln Zephyr is the only thing that saved it.

          Ford has about 65 plants worldwide. Less than 10 of them are in North America (4 more are being built for future electric vehicles). It has been a global manufacturer for some time. Despite this fact, Ford has produced more vehicles in North America than any other manufacturer. It has been the industry leader in U.S. production volume, exports and U.S. hourly autoworker employment for the fifth straight year. So, loyalty to American manufacturing is one thing you can’t criticize Ford about. If anyone thinks they could possibly have all 65 plants they own in the USA, that is not being realistic. Even far larger GM has only 12 plants here. And manufacturing in China is not as cheap as you think for the reasons outlined above. Why build any Lincoln there? Because Lincoln sells more cars in China than in all of North America combined.

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          1. I know that the CD6 platform, when first conceived, was supposed to spawn several Lincoln sedans and perhaps a coupe. So much for that unfortunately.
            Regarding platforms, Wixom- in Lincoln’s heyday- it used to build three vehicles off of three platforms. In fact, it was once the only plant to be able to build both front and rear-wheel drive vehicles off the same line. IMHO, to this day it was a big mistake they closed that plant and decentralized Lincoln production.

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        3. Good to put things in perspective for a change. Ford is like our political leadership , give them it all since Buyers are ignorant. Not so, Samsung has their phones made in So. Korea and I can’t wait to get back to their Android system again and not keep uploading “needed” upgrades. On point, Lincoln was supposed to be revivinig the Lincoln brand…with a Chinese Luxury car?? They already have used the Corsair as a subterfuge model this past year and here we go again. No wonder they will probably be the UAW’s target for a major strike!
          Ford is now using its’ Oakville plant for the Lincoln Star EV which is unproven from a sale standpoint as it will cost up to 70K and that for a Chinese import! The sales are not going to be at any level near the Nautalis and Edge built there now so forget about keeping all the workers,…of which some may require extensive retraining on a brand new , high tech auto..if we are to believe Ford’s advertising!
          This is disconcerting to me also as a retired Ford employee and my wife who drives a Nautilus now. However, I switched to a BMW convertible due it’s overall quality compared to the ‘Stang and it looks like the same thing will happen again down the road.

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      4. This exactly! I’ve try to say this several times on here before, but you said it perfectly.

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      5. I previously read that the Nautilus shared the platform with the Ford Edge. Was or is that incorrect?

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        1. Please disregard by comment above. I didn’t know the Edge had been discontinued.

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  2. Hear! Hear!!

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  3. I have own lincoln’s since 1991 two continentals. A town car an avlator ,mkz and 2 mkx . I will never buy a car made in china

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  4. The US needs to put all the same trade restrictions on importing Chinese products that they put on importing American products.

    Beyond that, a 50% tariffs on vehicles.imported from China should be the minimum. Allowing important manufacturing industry to move to hostile countries is the largest tactical mistake the US could make.

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    1. Especially when there are so many non-China alternatives.

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  5. I find it fascinating that China is buying more Lincolns than the US, which is keeping the brand alive…yet many are bellyaching about a Chinese-built Lincoln. Admittedly I’m a little squeamish about buying a Lincoln made in China since I don’t know what to expect in-terms of ordering, quality, and service. This is going to be a logistically complicated launch for Lincoln which already has a hard time with US production. By most accounts, Chinese auto-manufacturing has high standards and expertise so I suspect they’ll have less trouble than most US launches, and less supply chain issues. But ordering and delivering Lincolns half-way around the globe is going to be problematic no matter how you cut it.

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    1. You raise valid concerns. But we actually already have some idea what to expect in terms of ordering, quality, and service because we already have various cars built in China and imported here from Buick, Polestar, and Volvo. There’s been no evidence of a difference when it comes to those metrics from any of them.

      When it comes to logistics, I wouldn’t worry too much because the Chinese are famously much better at it than us due to their labor rules being virtually non-existent making quick logistical adjustments a breeze. Take the famous example of the iPhone for example. The prototype of the original iPhone had a plastic screen. Steve Jobs hated it because it would scratch so easily. He asked for it to be changed to glass. Foxconn woke up its on campus workers in the middle of the night and had a glass example ready for Jobs the next day. The same change would have taken weeks in a US factory.

      The Nautilus being made there isn’t exactly Chinese auto-manufacturing. It’s still a Ford owned and outfitted plant, designed and engineered by Ford in America, so it’s still Ford manufacturing standards and technology – just completed by Chinese workers. That’s very different than if it was being designed and engineered by Geely for Ford and made in their factories. Various publications have compared Chinese made Buicks with their American made counterparts, and could find no apparent quality differences. Further, I don’t think ordering and delivering Lincolns half-way around the globe is going to be problematic because they’ve simplified the options, and as a result every possible combination anyone wants will be in stock on dealer lots. There will be 3 trim levels, 7 exterior colors, 3 interior colors, and 3 wheel options (which will vary in availability by trim). Most importantly, the days of custom ordering singular options are over. The options list will be a choice of either reserve 1, 2, or 3, packages and the Jet appearance package (limited in availability by trim). For example, you can’t order the Perfect Position 24-Way Front Seats by themselves – the only way to get them is to order a Reserve trim and choose the $10k reserve 3 package and everything else that comes with it, or order a Black label. The lack of specific custom option combinations means every possible combination will likely be readily in stock on lots not needing to be special ordered. Production starts in September with availability in late first quarter 2024. That’s several months to lead time to manufacture and ship stock of a model that has historically only sold at most 7,500 units per quarter. We probably won’t be able to find exactly what we want on a dealer lot the first day of sales, but we probably will 6-8 months into production.

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      1. Again, you are mistaken in fact. Any American manufacturer running a plant in China must have a Chinese co partner and that one is owned by the CCP! The profits, therefore , are going to both Ford and the Chinese Communist Party. This new Nautilus will join the Corsair as the second made while Ford used a lot of subterfuge in camoflauging the Corsairs origin.
        As for quaility, very few items I bought from China long ago for soft goods held up so I became a label watcher since “Made in China” has not IMHO achieved the quality status that the Japanese auto manufacturers achieved along with their cameras, videos, etc.
        On top of all that , we are looking at one could call , as many have, a hostile government with conquest and expansion designs across the South East Asian territories. Those reason(s) seem more compelling than worrying about how many colors or models to suit your tastes. Just sayin’
        Michael

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  6. The usual dinosaurs here commenting about their distaste for anything new, especially anything new from Ford. I wish they’d all go buy a used 1979 Ford Granada, as that seems to be the ultimate for them.

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  7. I just ordered a 2024 Edge that will be made in Oakville until early 2024. If it was going to be made in China I would not have ordered it.

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  8. We had two Lincoln Mark VII’s many years ago; they were wonderful automobiles and great road cars. Then, after a vacation in western Europe, we went all-in on German vehicles, including four BMW’s, two Audi’s and two Mercedes. In 2018 we returned to Lincoln, leasing a very loaded MKX Reserve which has been a terrific vehicle, possibly our best ever. We would have replaced it with a new Nautilus in 2021, but there were none to be had, so we just bought the MKX. Now it’s time to think about trading again, and the Nautilus was front and center for us.

    Now, as I look at the new Nautilus, one thing I really like is that the interior design team incorporated the large monitor into the dash instead of making it look like an afterthought they just leaned up against the dashboard. BUT, management dropped the powerful V6 and shifted production to China.

    Has no one been watching in recent years as China has become our number one adversary and built one hell of a navy? Maybe they will honor Ford by naming their next ship the Lincoln.

    China will make money on every Nautilus built there and sold here, but they won’t be making any of that money off of me.

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  9. FWIW, a longstanding employee at my Lincoln dealership claimed they’ve been informed that Nautilus production would move back to North America for the 2025 model year. While that seemed unlikely to me, perhaps there is sufficient pushback on the assembly location. Or, maybe FMC has determined there is insufficient demand in the near term for all the EV production they had planned requiring multiple plant conversions.

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    1. No, any change back will be because the ‘beanies’ realized , too late, that there money making project was not in the very hostile public interest.

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  10. Yes, Lincoln is an also ran. Comparison to other brands and Ford’s itself. Seemingly Ford is intent to provide higher priced Fords and fold Lincoln into a blue collar luxury brand with a blue oval. VW, Hyundai, tried it didn’t work. I applaud their recent Aviator and Corsair and MKZ not being a Ford in a tuxedo. But, still the interiors still suck and that’s the environment that counts. Also the wheelbases need to be 3 inches longer on every Lincoln. Nautilus regardless of where it is produced is not a Ford interior…yet. Lincoln should produce and Eco v/6 3.5 high performance 500 HP 10 speed AWD limited production (100 per dealership) per each model. Performance and handling that will get it in the auto press with compos with Merc, BMW, Audi and Cadillac. Give 10% of them to the movers and shakers for Ads…no verbal testimony, just the tag line of George Clooney and wife standing next to their Lincoln; Jordan next to his, from retired politicians to Nobel Prize winner, etc… Ask The Person Who Drives One. It worked for Packard. Built something of a dream car. Sell the dream.

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    1. Packard is no longer with us. People don’t care who owns one. Loyalty is not like it was 50 years ago. We move on to brands who give us what we want to drive. I’ve move on to Cadillac from Lincoln because that brand is full line and has what I want.

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  11. Lincoln needs to cover the back of their front seats with a padded feel instead of hard plastic. The Conversational SYNC 3 instructions suck. You had it right on the prior SYNC…simple… ‘Destination, Home’. Not SYNC 3’s ‘take me to my Home’. Say,’ Destination Home ‘ and SYNC 3 doesn’t understand. KISS. Of course, keep losing quality and backing it up with non responsive Corp Customer Service; will make Ford and Lincoln moot. Don’t even get me started on 2022 Explorers and Aviators on Delivery Hold! Ford/Lincoln, if customer had an issue that’s would have qualified under Lemon Law, would have the Customer out of the vehicle with a Re-purchase. Now their customers suck lemons. Ford’s problem is that they RAV/re-purchased and gave the customer opportunity to leave Ford and offered a $2500 Rebate to purchase another Ford. But did it fast. They should give quick RAV and a $5000 rebate only if customer goes into their brand. Otherwise, let the customer go Lemon Law.

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  12. I have ordered a ’24 Nautilus Reserve Hybrid. Being made in Chin doesn’t concern me. To me a non plug-in Hybrid is the way to go. Dealer told me delivery likely 1st qtr. next year. Lincoln desperately needs a car to compete in the luxury segment. Otherwise they will be toast in 5 years. Just think 20 years ago they sold 233,000 vehicles, last year only 83,000. That isn’t a sustainable volume. The new President of Lincoln has already changed the future vehicle mix by keeping the Nautilus, and hopefully will listen to their customers and reintroduce at least 1 or 2 cars.

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    1. A good place to start is bring over the China Zephyr then build a longer wheelbase version (not sure of the name but not Continental) and expand that line. It does puzzle me why Ford will not build a longer wheelbase version of the S650 Mustang for Lincoln as a new Continental and Mark 9. Utilize the platform and watch the profits grow.

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    2. Not a good start as a new President telling US citizens , now somewhat hostile to China, that you will buy a Lincoln built by Chinese labor and owned in part by the Communist Communist Party with profits allocated to them. Congradulations , Comrade!

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  13. Cadillac owner but not impressed with the quality. My wife had had 3 Lincolnshire in the last 10 years, each better than the next I’ve had Lexus owners gawk over her 23 Nautilus interior. I’d buy a 24 Nautilus for myself but the China thing bothers me. May opt for a GenesisGv80 or the GV70, which is madd here

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  14. I don’t care where the Nautilus is manufactured, if that’s what I want, that’s what I buy. My job, My money, My ride! My last Chevrolet was not the best vehicle ever created either, but I paid full price for it and didn’t complain because that’s WHAT I wanted.

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  15. Ordered a 2024 Nautilus (Diamond Red Metallic w/Black Onyx /Light Space Gray)) with Reserve lll package and looking forward to owning my second Lincoln. First one was the 2019 Continental Reserve which was a sharp looking car which performed great! Not keen on idea that Ford wants to produce the Nautilus in China with labor that’s questionable. All I want is a luxury quality vehicle that is reliable, looks sharp, and is fun to drive! I will miss the 2.7L Twin Turbo with its outstanding torque and HP, but I suppose the trend and Biden scarenomics outweigh sensibility these days! Before we know it, Flintstone vehicles will be the norm!!

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