2017 Grand National Event Winners
The 2017 Grand National Meet in Hickory Corners, MI in August brought cars from all across the country for this single LCOC national meet of the year. One Preservation Award, eleven Emeritus Awards, and
The 2017 Grand National Meet in Hickory Corners, MI in August brought cars from all across the country for this single LCOC national meet of the year. One Preservation Award, eleven Emeritus Awards, and
Kumar Galhotra, Ford Motor Company vice president and president, Lincoln, was the guest speaker on August 8 for Lincoln aficionados attending a dinner at the Dearborn Country Club as part of the Fourth Annual Lincoln Homecoming events preceding the Grand National Meet in Hickory Corners. Reporting to Ford President and CEO Jim Hackett, Galhotra is the most senior leader overseeing all Lincoln operations globally, including product development; marketing, sales and service; and all team members supporting the Lincoln brand, as he builds on the brand’s recent product and sales momentum.
Coming from an engineering background (he was responsible for the engineering of all cars, trucks, SUVs and crossover vehicles for Ford and Lincoln brands) and with product development experience in Lincoln’s expansion in China, Galhorta is uniquely positioned to oversee the development of the next generation of Lincoln vehicles as well as connect them with a new generation of Lincoln clients.
His experience in China, where both the heritage of the brand and the luxury image attract potential buyers, has influenced his focus is to build on the appeal of Lincoln not only through its distinctive vehicles but also a world-class, luxury ownership experience.
Galhorta advocates thinking outside the box to see what services Lincoln can offer its dedicated buyers. Realizing that our time is valuable, he indicated that they are looking, not at improving dealer waiting room amenities, but at keeping customers from waiting at all. Offering a car pick up and return for service is being evaluated with a tight 15 minute appointment window at home or office so no one will be inconvenienced or have their time wasted. They are also considering having Lincoln provide chauffeuring options for clients who have partied too much to drive home so your vehicle would be with you in the morning. These are but a few of the innovative approaches the company is exploring for accelerating Lincoln even further as a world-class luxury brand.
The Lincoln and Continental Owners Club has embarked on creating a new website that will work on all electronic platforms. Members and interested parties will be able to view the site on computers, tablets, and smartphones, and utilize the services the club offers with a streamlined layout. Combining all the detail and history contained on the old website with the latest technological advances for ease of use, the new site will attract a new generation of fans and collectors while servicing the current members. Beta testing is planned for October with a projected “live” rollout in early November 2017.