Lincoln to Add Large CUV to Lineup

Ford Motor Co. will build a Lincoln cross/utility vehicle based on the same platform as the upcoming Ford Fairlane CUV, executives say in a backgrounder to financial analysts.

The 7-passenger Lincoln CUV, codenamed D472, will be built alongside the Fairlane at Ford’s Oakville, ON, Canada, plant. The two CUVs are expected to debut in 2008 as ’09 models.

Ford executives says the Lincoln CUV will not be “badge engineered,” meaning it won’t be just a slightly modified version of the Fairlane. Rather, the Lincoln CUV will have its own distinct styling.