Lincoln cars are made by Ford Motor Company, the American automaker headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, as its dedicated luxury vehicle division serving premium buyers in North America and select global markets.
Lincoln is known for its American luxury aesthetic, its Continental and Navigator heritage, a quiet and isolated driving experience, and a product range that emphasizes comfort and refinement over performance-focused European luxury brands.
Lincoln is a wholly owned brand of Ford Motor Company, operating as Ford’s luxury vehicle division and competing against Cadillac (GM), Lexus (Toyota), Genesis (Hyundai), and European brands including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.
Knowing who makes Lincoln helps buyers understand the Ford connection, where Lincoln vehicles are assembled, and what differentiates Lincoln from the European premium brands at similar price points.
This article covers Lincoln’s ownership, founding history, manufacturing locations, current lineup, and how Lincoln compares to Cadillac and Lexus.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Lincoln?
Lincoln Motor Company is a wholly owned division of Ford Motor Company. Lincoln has no independent shareholders, no separate stock listing, and no external ownership structure.
Ford has owned Lincoln since 1922, when Henry Ford purchased the struggling Lincoln Motor Company from its founder Henry Leland for $8 million and used it as Ford’s premium brand to compete with Cadillac in the American luxury market.
Within Ford’s brand portfolio, Lincoln operates alongside the main Ford brand and the commercial Ford Pro segment, serving the top of Ford’s vehicle range in terms of price and luxury specification.
When Was Lincoln Founded?
Lincoln Motor Company was founded in 1917 by Henry Leland, the same engineer who had previously founded Cadillac before selling it to General Motors. Leland named the company after Abraham Lincoln, whom he had voted for in the 1864 presidential election.
Lincoln began producing luxury automobiles after World War I, but financial difficulties following the war led Henry Leland to sell the company to Henry Ford in 1922. Ford continued the Lincoln name as his family’s prestige marque.
Lincoln’s most iconic products include the Continental, which debuted in 1939, the Town Car, which became the standard for American luxury sedans and limousines for decades, and the Navigator full-size luxury SUV, launched in 1998.
Where Are Lincoln Cars Made?
Lincoln vehicles are manufactured primarily in the United States, sharing production facilities with their Ford-brand equivalents.
The Lincoln Nautilus midsize SUV is assembled in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, at a Ford plant that also produces the Ford Edge. The Lincoln Aviator three-row SUV is assembled at the Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, alongside the Ford Explorer.
The Lincoln Navigator full-size SUV is built at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, alongside the Ford Expedition. The Kentucky Truck Plant is one of North America’s largest vehicle assembly facilities, producing the full-size SUV and heavy-duty truck lineup for both Ford and Lincoln.
What Models Does Lincoln Currently Offer?
Lincoln’s current US lineup is entirely SUV-based. The Corsair is the compact entry-level SUV. The Nautilus is the midsize option. The Aviator is a three-row SUV with both standard and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The Navigator is Lincoln’s flagship full-size three-row SUV.
Lincoln discontinued its sedan lineup in 2019 when the Continental was phased out, shifting fully to SUVs to align with buyer preferences in the North American luxury market. The Navigator remains Lincoln’s most profitable and most recognizable model.
Full Lincoln model details and configurations are available at Lincoln’s official website. A Lincoln Star concept previewed the brand’s future electric design direction.
Lincoln vs Cadillac vs Lexus: Who Makes Each?
All three are luxury divisions of major automakers, each serving as the premium tier within its parent company. Lincoln belongs to Ford. Cadillac belongs to General Motors. Lexus belongs to Toyota Motor Corporation.
Lexus leads the three in long-term reliability rankings, consistently outperforming both Lincoln and Cadillac in J.D. Power and Consumer Reports surveys. Cadillac is repositioning toward electric performance vehicles with Lyriq and Celestiq. Lincoln remains the most traditional in its approach, emphasizing quiet luxury and comfort over technology showcase.
In terms of sales volume, Lincoln and Cadillac compete closely in North America, while Lexus has a broader global presence and particularly strong penetration in markets where Japanese reliability has a strong reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Lincoln Cars
Is Lincoln the same as Ford?
Lincoln and Ford are separate brands within the Ford Motor Company portfolio. They share platforms, engines, and some manufacturing plants, but Lincoln vehicles are distinctly designed, more expensively equipped, and positioned as premium alternatives to equivalent Ford models.
Where is the Lincoln Navigator made?
The Lincoln Navigator is assembled at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, alongside the Ford Expedition. It is one of the most profitable vehicles Ford and Lincoln produce, with strong demand and high transaction prices.
When did Ford buy Lincoln?
Henry Ford purchased Lincoln Motor Company from founder Henry Leland in 1922 for $8 million. Ford has owned Lincoln continuously since that purchase and has used the brand as its luxury division for over 100 years.
Does Lincoln still make the Continental?
No. Lincoln discontinued the Continental sedan in 2019 as the brand shifted its entire lineup to SUVs. The Continental name carries deep Lincoln heritage dating back to 1939 and has been repeatedly discussed as a candidate for revival as an electric vehicle, though no production plans have been officially confirmed as of 2026.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.