Ford announced to import new Lincoln Nautilus from China

Ford Motor Co. will import the next-generation Lincoln Nautilus from China to the US, the company announced Monday night.

The mid-size crossover is currently produced for the US at Ford’s Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. The automaker announced it will invest 1.8 billion Canadian dollars (about $1.3 billion) to transform its facility into a new electric vehicle hub.

This is the first time Lincoln has imported a vehicle from China to the US.

Importing a vehicle from China to the U.S. is unprecedented, but is likely to draw public and political criticism or backlash, especially as tensions between the two countries are high.

In particular, General Motors has been criticized since 2016 for importing the Buick Envision crossover from China to the US.

Importing a vehicle from overseas to the US makes good business sense, but for a company like Ford.

“It’s a good use of resources in this case,” said Stephanie Brinley, associate director of research at S&P Global Mobility. “Without imports, Lincoln won’t get the product, and the brand needs products now and when its EVs arrive.”

Brinley said the decision to import the Nautilus will not fundamentally change Lincoln’s future for the US market, as the company continues to produce most of its vehicles in North America for the US market.

“Lincoln is a growing global brand,” a Lincoln spokesperson said in an email. “As we carry out our US manufacturing growth plans, we think it’s important to consult on Nautilus production in China for both markets (as we already manufacture Nautilus in China for the local market), which will allow us to gain manufacturing efficiencies and reuse our Oakville facility to build the next generation of EVs.”

The news comes a week after Ford released a report that said it is the number one automaker in terms of assembled vehicles and automobiles built per hour in the U.S., as well as vehicles exported from the U.S. to other countries.

The new Nautilus features an exterior and a new interior that includes door-to-door screens for front-seat occupants. It also offers a new feature called “Lincoln Rejuvenate”.

Ford describes Lincoln Rejuvenate as a “multi-room, in-cabin experience including lighting and digital ostentation.” Lincoln’s Star concept vehicle last year included such features, but the Nautilus is the first production car made for America with the special features. The automaker has introduced vehicles with features in China.

“Lincoln Rejuvenate, a dynamic experience, combines uniquely curated sensory experiences with lighting, screen views, personal preferences such as seating position and massage options — allowing customers to indulge,” the company said in a statement Monday night for the vehicle.

Aromatic cartridges are placed in the central handle to fill the vehicle compartment. The scents that the company comes with the package include:

• “Mystic Forest, an earthy blend of woody, rich patchouli notes”.
• “Ozonic azure, crisp aromatic patchouli and bright traces of violet.”
• “Violet Cashmere, rare white flowers and trusty violet as crisp and refined as fresh linen.”

The vehicle will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine as well as a hybrid powertrain. The car is expected to go on sale in early 2024, with starting prices ranging from $51,810 to $75,860.

The redesigned Nautilus and “Lincoln Rejuvenate” come as the once iconic American luxury brand tries to reinvent itself.

Last year, Lincoln vehicle sales in the U.S. fell 4% to fewer than 83,500 vehicles. This is down from a record high of over 112,200 in 2019.