New Car: 2010 Lincoln Mark LT

For U.S. dealers, the announcement that the slow-selling Lincoln Mark LT pickup would be discontinued for 2009 was no big deal. However, the reaction was very different south of the border. For Lincoln dealers in Mexico, the Mark LT had represented 40 percent of sales. Thus, a historical decision: As of September, the 2010 Mark LT will be the first Lincoln model in history not available in the U.S.

Serious determination was needed for the truck to see the light of day, especially from Lincoln’s General Director in Mexico, Fernando Avila. Curiously enough, he tells us that convincing Mexican executives proved more challenging than convincing the suits in Dearborn, who embraced with unusual enthusiasm the task of developing a vehicle of which only 2000 would be built annually. Indeed, producing a 2010 Mark LT made several departments, such as the design team, reopen their file cabinets and pull out ideas they had set aside when Lincoln initially canceled the second generation of the luxury pickup.

Naturally, the 2010 LT is based on the Ford F-150, and in particular the top-level Platinum model, which essentially took the place of the Mark LT in the U.S. Imbuing the truck with Lincoln-ness required aesthetic changes as well as the addition of more upscale standard equipment. Among the former is Lincoln’s new split-waterfall grille, which became the brand’s hallmark beginning with the arrival of the MKS. Another design cue is found in the rear, with the tailgate carrying the broad metallic stripe as found on the F-150 Platinum, and the Mark LT also gets that truck’s retractable running boards. Chromed mirror caps, wheels, and trim add more flair, too.

Inside, the seats are swathed in brown leather exclusive to this vehicle, and the instrument cluster cowl is also lined with leather, with stitching that aims to give the vehicle a rustic look. Other items, such as the Sync infotainment system, also place this pickup above even the most highly equipped Ford trucks sold in Mexico (the F-150 Platinum is not sold there).

Thanks to: Car and Driver