Are Lincolns made by Ford?
Yes. Lincolns are produced by Ford Motor Company as part of its Lincoln luxury division.
Historically, Lincoln began as a separate automaker in 1917 and was acquired by Ford in 1922. Today, Lincolns are built within Ford's global manufacturing network, with most U.S.-market models assembled in North American facilities and Chinese-market models produced in China through a Ford-Changan joint venture. This arrangement keeps Lincoln as Ford’s premium brand while leveraging Ford’s engineering, platforms, and supply chain.
How Lincoln fits within Ford
Lincoln operates as Ford's luxury division, focusing on premium design, comfort, and technology. While it remains a distinct brand under Ford, it relies on Ford’s platforms and manufacturing footprint to deliver its vehicles. This structure lets Ford offer a premium experience without creating a separate multinational luxury marque from scratch.
Milestones in Lincoln's corporate history
The following milestones trace the relationship between Lincoln and Ford and how the brand evolved within Ford's corporate structure.
- 1917: Lincoln Motor Company is founded in Detroit by Henry Leland.
- 1922: Ford Motor Company acquires Lincoln and places it under Ford's umbrella as a luxury division.
- 1939: The Lincoln Continental lineage begins with the introduction of the Continental model, establishing a luxury flagship.
- 1961: A redesigned Continental strengthens Lincoln's status as a mainstream luxury brand in the U.S.
- 2020s: Lincoln refocuses its product strategy around SUVs and introduces design and technology updates, while aligning with Ford's electrification plans.
These milestones illustrate how Lincoln transformed from a standalone company into Ford's premium arm, fostering a distinct brand while sharing Ford's engineering and manufacturing resources.
Where Lincolns are made
Production for Lincolns largely follows Ford's global manufacturing footprint. Vehicles for the U.S., Canada, and most other markets are assembled in Ford facilities within the region, while Lincolns for China are produced in China through a Changan Ford joint venture. The brand also benefits from Ford's supplier network and shared platforms with other Ford models.
- North American production: Most Lincoln models for the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican markets are assembled in Ford plants within North America.
- China production: Lincoln models sold in China are built in Chinese plants operated by the Ford-Changan joint venture (Changan Ford).
- Global production strategy: Some models and components are produced in other Ford facilities or shared across divisions, reflecting Ford's global manufacturing footprint.
The arrangement allows Lincoln to maintain its luxury positioning while leveraging Ford's scale, quality controls, and dealer networks to support customers worldwide.
What this means for Lincoln buyers
For buyers, the core implication is that Lincoln vehicles benefit from Ford's engineering, warranties, safety standards, and service networks, while delivering a premium customer experience and brand identity associated with Lincoln. As Ford accelerates its electrification and product-refresh cycles, Lincoln's lineup is expected to reflect a blend of traditional comfort and modern technology, with ongoing attention to quality and resale value.
Summary
Yes—Lincolns are made by Ford. The Lincoln brand is Ford Motor Company's luxury division, produced in Ford plants around the world (notably in North America) with China-specific production through a joint venture for local markets. Lincoln remains a distinct brand within Ford, focused on premium design and comfort while relying on Ford's platforms, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities. This arrangement has shaped Lincoln's evolution and continues to influence model development and global production strategy.
