- The Chinese-made Nautilus is Lincoln’s best-selling vehicle by a wide margin.
- The brand sold 8,273 units in the United States in the second quarter.
- Navigator sales dropped 27%, but a new version is in the works.
Last year, Ford billed themselves as “America’s automaker” as they led the way in U.S. production, exports, and hourly employment. While the numbers don’t lie, it’s interesting to note Lincoln’s best-selling vehicle is made in China.
We’re talking about the redesigned Nautilus, which generated 8,273 sales in the past three months. That edged out the Corsair (6,563) and Aviator (5,664) by a considerable margin.
More: 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Combines 48-Inch Display With Available Hybrid Power
The Nautilus is built at the Changan Hangzhou Assembly Plant and was launched in the United States earlier this year. It’s been a huge hit and Lincoln said consumers are enamored with its 48-inch display that spans nearly the entire width of the dashboard.
Besides the big screen, the Nautilus offers two powertrains. The entry-level unit is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 250 hp (186 kW / 253 PS) and 280 lb-ft (379 Nm) of torque.
Customers can also get a hybrid variant that features a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, a continuously variable transmission, and a 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS) electric motor. This setup gives the luxury crossover a combined output of 310 hp (231 kW / 379 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) of torque.
Besides being more powerful, the hybrid is more efficient as it returns 30 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. That’s a sizable improvement over the regular model, which is rated at 24 mpg combined, so it’s not surprising that 44% of consumers are opting for the hybrid.
While sales of the Aviator, Corsair, and Nautilus were all up, the Navigator was off by 27% compared to a year ago. Dealers only moved 3,423 units in the second quarter, which is roughly as many Escalades as Cadillac sells in a single month – ouch.