USA RECALL #3 - Ford & Lincoln recall cars for a component within the fuel pump electric module may overheat.

RECALL Subject : Fuel Pump Malfunction may Cause Engine Stall

Report Receipt Date: AUG 25, 2016

NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V621000

Component(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Potential Number of Units Affected: 77,502  

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

SUMMARY:

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI Ecoboost engines and 2013-2015 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicles. A component within the fuel pump electric module (PEM) may overheat causing a loss of electrical power to the fuel pump.

CONSEQUENCE:

A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 12, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

NOTES:

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Lincoln is the only luxury automaker to provide standard pick up and delivery service for all it's vehicles.

Lincoln adds the luxury segment’s only standard Pickup and Delivery Service across all 2017 nameplates starting with the all-new Lincoln Continental. The exclusive standard service builds on the brand’s commitment to providing a human, warm and personal experience at all Lincoln dealerships. 

  

Lincoln Service Valet will pick up a client’s vehicle at an agreed location and, provide a complimentary Lincoln loaner vehicle, and then take the client’s vehicle to the dealership for service. Once complete, clients can arrange for their washed and serviced vehicle to be returned to them at the location of their choice.  

“Lincoln Pickup and Delivery service revolves around complementing our luxury vehicles with outstanding luxury experiences,” says Andrew Frick, Lincoln North American director of sales and services. “This kind of Quiet Luxury provides an exclusive and personally crafted service experience that enhances their lifestyle and saves them what is a true luxury item – their time.”

Lincoln has been piloting this program with a select group of dealers since May 2015 with overwhelming results:

• 98 percent of clients indicate they would be more likely to receive service from that Lincoln dealer in the future
• 98 percent would recommend Lincoln and the service to a friend
• 93 percent are likely to purchase another Lincoln vehicle

“Our dealers view this as a way to differentiate the client experience for Lincoln owners,” says Frick. “No matter what Lincoln vehicle clients have from our portfolio, they have the peace of mind of getting that vehicle to and from service at a location of their choice, with a complimentary Lincoln loaner in order to maintain their busy schedules.

“When nearly 100 percent of clients receiving this service say they would recommend Lincoln to a friend, it clearly indicates positive momentum for the brand and our dealers,” adds Frick.   

This exclusive Pickup and Delivery marks another milestone in Lincoln Motor Company commitment to merge great products, an outstanding experience and impeccable service – part of its original 2012 business plan. Since Lincoln began this journey, it has delivered four all-new products in four years, established a dealer network in China, built brand awareness, and increased volume for the brand and Lincoln products. 

As part of Lincoln’s ongoing client experience efforts, these successful programs have already been implemented:

• Lincoln Concierge: A trusted personal advisor – like the most attuned hotel concierge – assists clients 24/7 online at www.lincoln.com. While other luxury brands offer similar services, only Lincoln provides clients with an opportunity for video chat with a live person.
• Black Label: Started in 2015, the number of participating dealers has increased to more than 90 committed locations. Black Label provides personalized shopping with dedicated personnel in the showroom, online, or in locations convenient to clients. Specially trained Black Label experience liaisons meet prospective clients at their home, office, or anywhere within 30 miles of the showroom to begin the experience. Acting as a personal shopping assistant, the liaison helps clients identify their ideal vehicle by sharing paint and wood trim samples, as well as material swatches. Lincoln Black Label owners enjoy special privileges – ranging from extended premium service and maintenance coverage on wear items to Culinary Collection membership that provides access to a curated list of restaurants from coast to coast.
• Date Night:This extended test drive allows qualified buyers the chance to experience a Lincoln vehicle for up to 48 hours. In 2015, Date Night resulted in more than 11,000 sessions at select dealers, prompting nearly an 11 percent increase in Lincoln purchases. The program attracted nearly 70 percent of clients who had been with other luxury nameplates.
• Lincoln Institute: Training for key client-facing individuals is provided through Lincoln Institute. The program, which combines all of the brand’s training efforts under one umbrella, has been expanded to include all Lincoln dealers. Lincoln Institute includes not only hospitality training, but an all-new series of workshops that provide participants with tools to help local teams develop and execute processes consistently for luxury clients.

Pickup and Delivery is an important milestone in Lincoln’s commitment to providing personal client services to match its unique luxury products, coming at the perfect time as Lincoln prepares to launch the much-anticipated 2017 Lincoln Continental.

The all-new Lincoln Continental returns as the brand flagship this fall, offering first-class travel for clients in America and China through warm, human touches and a contemporary design. The full-size sedan is designed to appeal to culturally progressive clients who define luxury on their own terms – craving superior quality, craftsmanship and safety.

“Quiet Luxury is Lincoln’s unique approach to ensure impeccable service is consistent with our outstanding products for the ultimate client experience,” says Frick.

Note: Service is available for retail and warranty repairs. Mileage limitations may apply. See your dealer for details. Lincoln reserves the right to change program at any time without obligation.

Lincoln collaborates with upscale men’s salon Fellow Barber to offer young professionals free personal grooming.

• Lincoln collaborates with upscale men’s salon Fellow Barber to offer young, aspirational professionals the same level of attention to detail in terms of grooming that the automaker builds into its Lincoln Black Label vehicles
• Throughout April, current Lincoln Black Label customers can enjoy complimentary barber service at any Fellow Barber location in New York or San Francisco
• Lincoln’s association with brands such as Fellow Barber and Tribeca Film Festival is a critical piece of its strategic efforts to reach a younger target customer

The Lincoln Motor Company announces an exclusive collaboration with Fellow Barber, a leading men’s grooming salon for young, aspirational professionals. Throughout April, current Lincoln Black Label customers can receive a complimentary grooming treatment at any of five Fellow Barber locations in New York and San Francisco.

Lincoln Black Label redefines what it means to shop for, purchase and own a luxury automobile. 

“Lincoln Black Label not only provides the best level of materials in specially curated design themes, but also offers a host of member privileges,” said Andrew Frick, Lincoln director, sales and service operations. “The Lincoln Black Label dealer network is designed to cater to our clients on an individual level.”

Membership privileges include annual vehicle detailing, anytime carwashes, and access to a curated list of restaurants where noted chefs will provide an at-your-service dining experience.

Fellow Barber upscale grooming shops are similarly devoted to offering their clients a high-quality, personal and authentic luxury experience.

“Lincoln’s brand philosophy is a natural fit with Fellow Barber’s passion for executing the details and delivering a high-quality experience,” said Sam Buffa, Fellow Barber founder. “Lincoln Black Label strongly resonates with the Fellow Barber customer. Each interior design treatment presents the vehicle in a unique and authentic way – much like the way we style our clients to express who they are. We are excited to take part in Lincoln Black Label membership privileges and welcome customers to our salons.”

Attracting younger, aspirational buyers

Over the past three years, Lincoln has introduced an all-new product portfolio and supported brands and events that appeal to a younger target customer. In addition to Fellow Barber, other collaborations include:

• Lincoln Re-imagine!, a $1.2 million project that funds art, design and thought leadership collaborations to explore unique concepts in film, theater and architecture
• Lincoln Hello, Again campaign, which seeks to take something that tends to get overlooked and create something new, fresh and usable from it. In the Burrows Street Park project, Lincoln worked with Architecture for Humanity to turn an empty lot into a pocket park in San Francisco’s Portola District
• 2016 is the third year Lincoln is teaming up with Tribeca Film Festival as part of its ongoing support for the arts

Lincoln Black Label is helping to attract new, affluent luxury customers to the brand. It is available on new Lincoln vehicles including the recently revealed 2017 Lincoln MKZ and all-new 2017 Lincoln Continental that will go on sale later this year.

USA SALES JANUARY - Ford dips in January while luxury arm, Lincoln grows.

• Ford brand SUVs have their best start since 2004 with 50,212 vehicles sold; Edge sales up 26 percent
• Transit sales increase 51 percent, driving Ford van sales to their best January since 1985
• Lincoln posts January sales up 8 percent on strong demand for all-new Lincoln MKX
• Ford Motor Company average transaction prices grow almost three times the rate of overall industry; U.S. sales of 173,723 vehicles decline 3 percent versus last year

Coming off strong results last January, Ford Motor Company’s total U.S. sales of 173,723 vehicles declined 3 percent last month versus a year ago.

Bright spots for January include industry-leading transaction price increases for the month, the best start since 2004 for Ford brand SUV sales and an 8-percent gain in sales for Lincoln.

“For Ford, overall transaction prices were up $1,800 in January – almost three times more than the overall industry average – driven largely by strong customer demand, especially for our SUVs and F-Series pickups,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.

Ford SUVs totaled 50,212 sales last month – a 3 percent increase versus a year ago and the brand’s best sales start since 2004. The all-new Edge was the biggest driver, posting a 26 percent jump on sales of 9,533 vehicles.

   

Transit sales increased 51 percent in January with 9,631 vehicles sold, lifting overall Ford van performance 20 percent for their best start since 1985. 

F-Series January sales totaled 51,540 vehicles, down 5 percent. F-Series average transaction pricing grew $2,500 last month, while incentive spending was down $500 versus a year ago.

“We continue seeing strong commercial fleet orders for F-150 and will be filling more orders this year,” LaNeve said. “As the largest seller of commercial vehicles, this represents good news for Ford trucks and the overall economy.”

Lincoln sales increased 8 percent, for the best start of the year since 2008. Lincoln sold 7,177 vehicles, and the all-new MKX posted a 51 percent increase with 2,052 vehicles sold. It was Lincoln’s best January for SUVs since 2001.  

USA SALES 2015 - FORD/LINCOLN - Ford continues to be the biggest single brand in the US, #1 model too.

• Ford Motor Company 2015 U.S. sales total 2,613,162 – up 5 percent, the company’s best annual sales performance since 2006; Ford is America’s best-selling vehicle brand for sixth straight year
• Ford Motor Company posts best U.S. December monthly sales results since 2005, selling 239,242 vehicles, up 8 percent
•  F-Series sales total 85,211 trucks in December, surpassing 85,000 sales for the first time in a decade; F-Series now America’s best-selling pickup for 39 straight years and the best-selling vehicle for 34 straight years with 780,354 trucks sold; Ford vans set annual sales record
• Ford brand SUVs up 13 percent, for best December since 2003; Escape, Edge and Explorer contribute to gains
• Fusion posts record December results, with total sales of 25,576 cars
• Lincoln has its best December since 2006, with annual volume their highest levels since 2008; sales of all-new Lincoln MKX up 77 percent

Ford Motor Company’s total 2015 U.S. sales of 2,613,162 vehicles are the company’s best annual sales results in nine years – up 5 percent. Ford brand sales of 2,511,935 vehicles make Ford America’s best-selling brand for six straight years.

U.S. December sales total 239,242 vehicles, up 8 percent versus a year ago. An 8 percent retail sales increase drove overall performance, with 174,509 vehicles sold last month.  

F-Series sales totaled 85,211 trucks in December, up 15 percent. Strong demand for F-150 contributed to the performance, as F-Series broke through the 85,000 vehicle mark for the first time in a decade. For the year, F-Series sales totaled 780,354 trucks – making it America’s best-selling pickup for 39 consecutive years and best-selling vehicle for 34 straight years.

“December capped off six straight months of year-over-year sales gains for F-Series, with strong increases coming from both retail sales and the strength of commercial fleet orders, as we closed out 2015,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. 

“Ford-brand SUVs delivered their best sales results in more than a decade, with our newest SUVs leaving dealer lots in a matter of days.”

Ford sold a total of 220,586 vans in 2015. This was an increase of 32 percent compared to the year prior and represents Fords highest van sales performance in company history. For the month of December, Ford van sales totaled 21,549, a 6 percent increase. 

Ford-brand SUVs totaled 65,675 sales last month – a 13 percent increase versus a year ago, for the best December performance since 2003. Escape sales of 27,954 rose 9 percent, for a record December and a record year. 

The all-new Edge delivered a 29 percent increase, with 10,263 vehicles sold. New Explorer sold a total 18,892 SUVs, a 14 percent increase, marking its best December performance since 2005.

December Fusion sales increased 15 percent at retail and 10 percent overall, making it Fusion’s best-ever December sales performance with 25,576 cars sold.

Lincoln sales totaled 10,860 vehicles for the month, representing a 12 percent increase and a 13 percent retail gain.

Strong performance from the all-new Lincoln MKX, with 2,960 vehicles sold, contributed to a 77 percent increase compared with a year ago. Lincoln MKZ sales were 3,207, up 22 percent.

USA SALES JULY - FORD/LINCOLN - Both brands continue the upward swing, with new models and tech.

• Total Ford Motor Company U.S. sales up 5 percent last month – its best July since 2006; retail sales up 5 percent
• Ford F-Series has best July retail sales results in nine years, while still delivering record average transaction pricing; Ford commercial vans post best July sales in 15 years
• Ford brand SUV sales up 11 percent last month for best July sales performance in 10 years. Sales of new Ford Explorer increase 27 percent, all-new Ford Edge up 17 percent, Ford Escape up 10 percent – an all-time July sales record
• Fusion achieves best July ever; Mustang has best July performance since 2008
• Lincoln brand delivers best July sales results in a decade, driven by strong demand for its newest SUVs, which post best July sales since 2001

Strong demand for its newest products lifted Ford Motor Company to its best July U.S. sales performance since 2006, with a total of 222,731 vehicles sold last month. Retail sales increased 5 percent.

“We continue seeing even stronger demand for our newest products, especially F-150, Explorer, Edge, Mustang and Transit,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.

“With continued improvement in inventory, F-Series retail momentum continued building in July. Customers truly value the new F-150’s capability, performance and fuel efficiency.”

F-Series retail sales are up 13 percent, providing the best July retail results since 2006, even with continued all-time record transaction pricing – up $3,200 versus a year ago.

Van sales increased 14 percent last month with a total of 16,090 vehicles sold. The all-new Transit, which posted sales of 8,025 vehicles for July, drove Ford’s commercial van business to 15-year sales highs.

Ford brand SUV sales of 67,282 vehicles represent an 11 percent increase over year-ago levels, delivering the best July sales results since 2005 Escape sales increased 10 percent, with 29,253 vehicles sold, representing an all-time July sales record.

Explorer momentum continued with 21,361 sales – a 27 percent increase. All-new Edge performance contributed to the increase as well, with sales up 17 percent for July. Edge and Explorer are turning fast on dealer lots at just 18 days and 13 days, respectively.

Fusion sales of 25,105 vehicles last month, posted an increase of 5 percent, marking Fusion’s best July sales performance ever. With 8,482 cars sold, Mustang sales increased 29 percent compared to a year ago. Southern California, America’s largest sports car region, continues to drive Mustang performance, with retail sales up 81 percent in July.  

Lincoln sales increased 21 percent versus a year ago – the luxury brand’s best July results in a decade. Lincoln MKC was up 60 percent, while the new Navigator saw a 24 percent gain relative to a year ago. The all-new Lincoln MKX delivered a 27 percent increase, turning on dealer lots in just six days.