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Lincoln unveiled a redesigned version of its Nautilus SUV, which it says will have the largest display screen of any competitor and a selection of built-in scents to create a more relaxing atmosphere.
But perhaps the most notable change is where the car will be manufactured: The new model will be imported to the United States from China when it goes on sale here early next year, a Lincoln spokesperson said.
Lincoln is Ford’s luxury brand and currently the Nautilus is built for the North American market in Ford’s factory in Ontario, Canada. But Ford plans to shift that plant to produce electric vehicles and EV battery packs starting in 2025. The new Nautilus will be gasoline-powered, as are the current versions.
The timing of Ford’s decision to build the Nautilus in China comes at a delicate moment, amid heightened tensions between the US and China.
At an unveiling event in New York City, however, most of the focus was on the vehicle’s features and how it can help Lincoln recover from a sales slump that Lincoln president Dianne Craig blamed on computer chip shortages.
