On February 4, 1922, Henry Ford, encouraged by his wife, Clara, and his son, Edsel, purchased the Lincoln Motor Company for $8 million. This acquisition marked the beginning of the creation of an iconic American luxury brand.
Joy Falotico, former president of the Lincoln Motor Company said, “We are at a defining moment in our history. We look back at Lincoln’s past and find inspiration for the future and, to reflect on what we have accomplished – maintaining a balance between the brand’s core values and redefining our vehicle and experiences for the next generation of luxury clients,”
The Lincoln Motor Company was founded by Henry Leland, an inventor and automotive engineer who had previously helped found Cadillac. Leland named the company after the first president for whom he had ever voted, Abraham Lincoln. However, by the early 1920s, despite Leland’s reputation for precision engineering and high-quality manufacturing, the company was facing severe financial distress and was on the brink of bankruptcy.
While Henry Ford focused on mass-producing affordable vehicles for the average citizen, Edsel Ford had a different view on what Lincoln could become. He said, “Father made the most popular car in the world; I would like to make the best car in the world.” Under Edsel’s leadership, Lincoln shifted its focus from purely functional engineering to a more sophisticated style and technical excellence.
The early years under Ford ownership saw the introduction of the Lincoln L-Series. The 1920s models, such as the 1923 Lincoln Model L Touring car, featured luxurious details and custom coachwork that appealed to the social elite and even government officials. By 1924, Lincoln had become the preferred vehicle for several U.S. presidents.
The partnership between the technical foundations of the Leland era and the design-forward thinking of Edsel Ford allowed Lincoln to not only survive but to produce some of the most beautiful automobiles in history, such as the Zephyr and the Continental.
Today and as the brand looks ahead, Lincoln is focused on advancing its Quiet Flight DNA into an electrified and connected future. By 2030 the company is planning to have a full portfolio of connected and electrified vehicles globally.
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