Lincoln

Lincoln began in August 1917 when Henry M. Leland and his son Wilfred secured a $10 million government contract to build Liberty V12 aircraft engines for World War I. Post-war, the company retooled its Detroit plant to produce the first luxury V8-powered Model L automobiles and laid the groundwork for a new personal luxury segment with the 1940 Continental. Struggling financially, Lincoln entered receivership before being acquired by Ford Motor Company in February 1922. Lincoln’s sleek V12 and V8 engines powered presidential limousines from Roosevelt to Nixon, cementing its American luxury image. Innovation continued with features like auto-leveling suspension and power brakes in the 1950s. After discontinuing sedans in 2020, Lincoln now focuses exclusively on premium crossovers and SUVs, Navigator, Aviator, Nautilus, Corsair and the electric Z, blending traditional craftsmanship with electrification and connected services.