When Ford announced they were revamping Lincoln and would no longer be producing their livery line of vehicles it was clear that big shifts in the limo industry were already in motion. The Lincoln Town Car has been the top selling limo for years, and the end of its production is opening the door for new manufacturers to get in on the action.
Cadillac Is Priming Itself To Take Over The Top Spot
Just as Ford announced they would no longer be making Lincoln limos, Cadillac unveiled a new line of livery vehicles which just might replace the former frontrunner. The 2013 XTS W20 models offer all of the luxury and extras that Lincoln was known for plus the latest technological advances. However, the XTS models are a bit smaller than Town Cars and lack rear-wheel drive, a favored feature among limo companies.
Despite those few shortcomings, the orders for XTS W20s are already starting to roll in.
New Players in the Limo Industry
With the king out of the way, many have lined up to claim the crown. Cadillac has more competition than ever now that other car manufacturers are using the demise of the Lincoln Town Car as an opportunity to get in the game and corner a piece of the open market.
Toyota Avalon Livery
Toyota has had success in the taxi industry, and now they are expanding with two Avalon livery editions – a V6 model and a hybrid model.
Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is an American-made, rear-wheel drive vehicle, which is appealing to the many limo companies that preferred Lincoln Town Cars for those very same reasons. However, past attempts by Chrysler weren’t well received due to lack of legroom, storage and a less than stellar reputation.
Limo Companies are Reevaluating What Their Customers Really Want
Now that the Lincoln Town Car is no longer an option, limo companies are faced with a big decision. Rather than making the obvious choice of moving to Cadillac, many companies are using this as an opportunity to really examine what it is their customers want out of a limo and which maker can deliver those features.
Lately there have been dramatic shifts in the American car industry as a whole. People are opting for fuel efficiency over amply sized SUVs. There has been resurgence in the importance of buying American. Technological features are just as important as luxury ones.
Limo companies are taking all this into consideration as they try to figure out which limo will attract the most riders.
Don’t expect Lincoln Town Cars to disappear overnight – in fact, if you’d like to ride in one, our Austin limousine rental service includes Lincolns. They are still the most predominate private cars on the road, and the end of the factory line could prompt more limo rental companies to stretch out their lifespans as far as possible.
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