Lincoln Mercury National Headquarters Moving To Southern California
23 January 1998
Lincoln Mercury National Headquarters Moving To Southern California
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 -- Lincoln Mercury today announced that
it will move its national headquarters from Detroit to Southern California
later this year.
The relocation of a major domestic car division to California is
unprecedented in the history of the auto industry, according to Jim Rogers,
Lincoln Mercury general marketing manager, visiting here in connection with
the announcement.
Rogers said that Lincoln Mercury would relocate to Irvine, Calif., with
details of the move to be finalized over the next few months.
Bob Rewey, Ford group vice president - Marketing, Sales and Service, said
in Detroit, "This decision is another step in the development of the full
potential of Lincoln and Mercury. I can think of no better place to build
upon the new look of Mercury and Lincoln than from the perspective of a
California base where so many new automotive trends begin."
Located in California, Lincoln Mercury will be better positioned to serve
new and existing customers, combining traditional automotive skills with the
trend-setting design and performance perspective of the West Coast.
"This move fits with the positioning of our brands and will help better
serve our Mercury and Lincoln customers with a new look for both product lines
over time."
Plans include establishing an integrated headquarters for Lincoln Mercury
with sales, brand, marketing, product development and support staffs.
California is home to Ford Motor Company's Advanced Design Center, which will
serve as a studio for developing unique Lincoln and Mercury products from
global platforms. Production of Lincoln and Mercury vehicles will continue in
their current plants.
"California was chosen because its trend-setting culture will help nurture
the continued development of unique cars and trucks that can play more
independent roles in the portfolio of Ford Motor Company," said Jim O'Connor,
Ford vice president and general manager of Lincoln Mercury.
O'Connor confirmed that the relocation would affect 120-150 Michigan-based
Lincoln, Mercury and Ford Motor Company employees. There will be no layoffs
related to the move. Affected employees will be given a choice of moving or
being reassigned to other Company activities.
"First came the Lincoln Navigator, then the Mercury Cougar, and soon the
Lincoln LS and Southern California. This is another bold step for Lincoln and
Mercury as we continue to grow our product lines," O'Connor told employees and
dealers. "Moving our headquarters into the heart of one of the world's
largest automotive markets and a hotbed of creativity and innovation puts us
exactly where we need to be."
O'Connor noted the move will benefit dealers as well. Approximately 2,600
Lincoln and Mercury dealers will continue to be served by 17 regional offices
in the United States.
Lincoln, Mercury and Ford news releases and photographs are available on
the Ford News Service web site ( http://media.ford.com ). High-resolution
photographs may be downloaded from the web site or from the Wieck Photo
Database (972-392-0888) at no charge.
SOURCE Lincoln Mercury
