OREANDA-NEWS. October 20, 2015. Lincoln makes its grand debut with the grand opening of the Shijiazhuang Aojitong Lincoln Store, the first to open in the Hebei province. The new store is a clear demonstration of the brand’s commitment to continued growth in northern China.

With the opening of this facility, located in a high-potential market, Lincoln now has 19 dealerships open throughout the country, putting the company on track to have 25 Lincoln Stores open by the end of 2015. Lincoln China also remains on track to expand its network to 60 dealerships in 50 cities by the close of 2016. These 60 unique dealerships, combined with the recently announced Lincoln Virtual Dealership, shows Lincoln’s unique approach to the marketplace.

Set in a quickly urbanizing region of Hebei province, the Shijiazhuang Aojitong Lincoln Store will bring The Lincoln Way to a new breed of consumers whose perceptions about luxury are shifting from a statement of wealth to an expression of their individuality.

“We are pleased to take the next step in our expansion plans here in China,” said Robert Parker, president, Lincoln China. “Northern China is a region featuring a number of markets with customer profiles that will be perfectly served by The Lincoln Way. It is exciting to be at this new threshold where we are now able to form deep, individual relationships with a new generation of customers. With the addition of the Lincoln MKX and Lincoln Navigator in our showrooms this year, our product line up is expanding at just the right time.”

The Lincoln Way, for a New Generation of Customers

Lincoln’s expansion efforts into North China continue to leverage the deep insights built into The Lincoln Way. An innovative new model for car ownership, The Lincoln Way was developed through extensive cross-industry research that covered a variety of luxury brands, from retail stores to boutique hotels.

It reinvents the traditional transaction-focused model and puts customers at the forefront with a “one-size-fits-one” approach, demonstrating an implicit understanding that the new generation of luxury vehicle consumers focused on personal experiences and deep connections with brands.

As an important element of this new overarching philosophy, all Lincoln Stores are built around their customers, using clean, elegant designs, harmonious colors and quality materials. The distinct, welcoming environment features a relaxing teahouse and intuitive technologies, like the Personalization Studio where customers can customize and preview life-size versions of their vehicles. The team of Lincoln Institute-trained staff at each dealership anticipates guests’ needs, including the ability to arrange personalized test drive routes, extend service hours and guarantee full service transparency.

This standard of personally crafted luxury extends online with the recent announcement of “The Virtual Lincoln Way”. When fully implemented, the initiative will allow customers to manage everything from touring a Lincoln store to the purchase of their new Lincoln vehicle online.

Now available is the “Explore” phase, where customers can have a 360-degree dealership and product immersion tour via China’s popular WeChat platform. The Digitally supported “Shop”, “Purchase” and “Ownership” phases will soon follow. Together with physical Lincoln Stores, it will provide Chinese luxury customers with a truly one-size-fits-one experience uniquely Lincoln.

Expanding Product Portfolio Enhances Personalized Experience

The Lincoln Way exists not only at dealerships, but also through an expanding and competitive product portfolio.

“Lincoln’s strong lineup remains one of the brand’s core strengths, and one of the main reasons the Chinese market has been so receptive to the brand in its first year,” said Mr. Zhang Tianshu, president, Beijing Aojitong Investment Group. “It is the living link between Lincoln’s proud heritage and the innovative new tenets of The Lincoln Way.”

Since its China launch last year, Lincoln has introduced a lineup of class-leading vehicles, including the Lincoln MKC, a small premium utility vehicle, and the Lincoln MKZ, a midsize premium sedan. The new Lincoln MKX, a medium-large sized utility, will also be joining the portfolio.

The new Lincoln MKX, inspired by the beauty of a modern aircraft with a contemporary silhouette, offers class-leading exterior and interior space. The vehicle also features an array of intuitive technologies allowing for additional safety, comfort and personalization.

A 360-degree camera, ingeniously positioned behind the Lincoln badge on the front grill, provides better visibility in cross-traffic situations. The LED headlamps automatically adjust the light pattern for improved visibility when accelerating from zero to 35 mph. The exclusive Revel® audio system simulates different listening scenarios and theatre environments enhancing the luxurious cabin environment.

The new Lincoln MKX will be available in two EcoBoost® engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an advanced 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged engine.

The Lincoln MKC, the Lincoln MKZ and the Lincoln MKX are available in four available trim packages: the Reserve, the Select, the Preferred and Presidential Series. The full-size luxury SUV Lincoln Navigator will be coming to showrooms later in 2015.

At least one other Lincoln model will come to the line-up by the end of 2016: The much-anticipated full-size Lincoln Continental Concept sedan, which will launch next year.