DaKat
March 24th, 2005, 07:45 AM
By: Jon Hewett | Ford Communications Network
NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 22, 2005 -- First it was a relationship with The Discovery Channel's hit series "American Chopper." Now, Lincoln is leveraging the popularity of an impressive list of country music stars in the planned auction of an all-new 2006 Mark LT pickup truck and custom Mark LT guitar.
The Country Music Hall of FameŽ and Museum is teaming up with Lincoln and Gibson Guitar to auction a Mark LT pickup truck autographed by dozens of country performers. The front passenger seat of the Mark LT is autographed by some of the biggest names in country music today, including Hall of Fame Board of Officers and Trustees President Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Shania Twain and new Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson.
In addition to the new truck, the winner will receive a Gibson Custom Lincoln Mark LT guitar produced exclusively for the auction.
Potential bidders can participate online at countrymusichalloffame.com from now through April 30, 2005. All proceeds will go directly to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
"One of the things we're trying to do in building the Lincoln brand is to be a little unpredictable, a little edgy, to connect with a broader target audience than Lincoln historically has reached," said Darryl Hazel, president, Lincoln Mercury Division.
"Many performers deeply believe that by supporting the Hall of Fame, we're supporting the roots of country music and making sure they stand strong for future generations," said Vince Gill. "We're grateful that companies like Lincoln and Gibson are behind us as well. That's why so many artists' names can be found signed on this special Lincoln truck."
The winning bidder will be able to select his or her own choice of color on the Mark LT, which will come with an extra front passenger seat so they will be able to preserve the autographed seat. The winner will also get the chance to come to Nashville for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
"Country music and Lincoln automobiles share one very key distinction -- both are steeped in American tradition," said Al Giombetti, sales manager for Lincoln Mercury and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Board of Directors. "Donating one of the earliest of our all-new 2006 Mark LT trucks is one small way to bring us together and benefit both traditions."
2006 Lincoln Mark LT
Based off of the F-150 platform, the Mark LT delivers a standard 5.4-liter Triton V-8 engine (300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet torque) and is available in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. Combined with a towing capacity of 8,900 pounds (lbs.) and payload capacity of 1,620 lbs., the Mark LT is Lincoln's first fully functional pickup. The starting price for a Mark LT is $39,995.
During the past decade, the traditional pickup truck segment has more than doubled in annual volume from 1.1 million to 2.3 million units. Lincoln's customer research predicts continued growth in the high end of both the truck and SUV segments, representing an important marketing opportunity.
In addition to three existing models, Lincoln will introduce five new vehicles in the next four years. Following this year's release of the Mark LT and the entry-level Lincoln Zephyr sedan, the Lincoln Aviator will be re-introduced. Two additional models will also join the lineup, bringing the total to eight models in the Lincoln portfolio.
"This surge of new products will help us grow annual Lincoln Mercury sales from 300,000 vehicles to a total of 500,000 annually by the end of the decade," said Hazel.
LINK (http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_display.cfm?release=20284)
NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 22, 2005 -- First it was a relationship with The Discovery Channel's hit series "American Chopper." Now, Lincoln is leveraging the popularity of an impressive list of country music stars in the planned auction of an all-new 2006 Mark LT pickup truck and custom Mark LT guitar.
The Country Music Hall of FameŽ and Museum is teaming up with Lincoln and Gibson Guitar to auction a Mark LT pickup truck autographed by dozens of country performers. The front passenger seat of the Mark LT is autographed by some of the biggest names in country music today, including Hall of Fame Board of Officers and Trustees President Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Shania Twain and new Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson.
In addition to the new truck, the winner will receive a Gibson Custom Lincoln Mark LT guitar produced exclusively for the auction.
Potential bidders can participate online at countrymusichalloffame.com from now through April 30, 2005. All proceeds will go directly to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
"One of the things we're trying to do in building the Lincoln brand is to be a little unpredictable, a little edgy, to connect with a broader target audience than Lincoln historically has reached," said Darryl Hazel, president, Lincoln Mercury Division.
"Many performers deeply believe that by supporting the Hall of Fame, we're supporting the roots of country music and making sure they stand strong for future generations," said Vince Gill. "We're grateful that companies like Lincoln and Gibson are behind us as well. That's why so many artists' names can be found signed on this special Lincoln truck."
The winning bidder will be able to select his or her own choice of color on the Mark LT, which will come with an extra front passenger seat so they will be able to preserve the autographed seat. The winner will also get the chance to come to Nashville for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
"Country music and Lincoln automobiles share one very key distinction -- both are steeped in American tradition," said Al Giombetti, sales manager for Lincoln Mercury and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Board of Directors. "Donating one of the earliest of our all-new 2006 Mark LT trucks is one small way to bring us together and benefit both traditions."
2006 Lincoln Mark LT
Based off of the F-150 platform, the Mark LT delivers a standard 5.4-liter Triton V-8 engine (300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet torque) and is available in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations. Combined with a towing capacity of 8,900 pounds (lbs.) and payload capacity of 1,620 lbs., the Mark LT is Lincoln's first fully functional pickup. The starting price for a Mark LT is $39,995.
During the past decade, the traditional pickup truck segment has more than doubled in annual volume from 1.1 million to 2.3 million units. Lincoln's customer research predicts continued growth in the high end of both the truck and SUV segments, representing an important marketing opportunity.
In addition to three existing models, Lincoln will introduce five new vehicles in the next four years. Following this year's release of the Mark LT and the entry-level Lincoln Zephyr sedan, the Lincoln Aviator will be re-introduced. Two additional models will also join the lineup, bringing the total to eight models in the Lincoln portfolio.
"This surge of new products will help us grow annual Lincoln Mercury sales from 300,000 vehicles to a total of 500,000 annually by the end of the decade," said Hazel.
LINK (http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_display.cfm?release=20284)