Jan. 25, 2026 | Bonus Episode: Lincoln President Joaquin Nuño-Whelan on growth plans
About this episode
Lincoln President Joaquin Nuño-Whelan discusses the brand's growth strategy for 2026, emphasizing resilience despite losing the Corsair crossover. He highlights a 2% sales increase in 2025 and encourages dealers to maintain a positive outlook. Nuño-Whelan shares insights on the success of the Navigator and Nautilus, the importance of emotional connections in marketing, and plans for product personalization. He hints at future product expansions while addressing concerns about tariffs and supply chain challenges, aiming for continued momentum in sales.
Lincoln President Joaquin Nuño-Whelan talks about the brand’s plan to grow sales in 2026 despite losing the Corsair crossover, future product direction and navigating tariff uncertainty.
Reynolds and Reynolds
"This podcast is brought to you by Reynolds and Reynolds, the industry leader in automotive technology."
Reynolds and Reynolds is a company that helps car dealerships with technology and software to make their work easier and more efficient.
Reynolds and Reynolds is a leading provider of automotive technology and software solutions, particularly for car dealerships. They offer tools that help streamline operations and improve customer experiences.
Lincoln Corsair
"...even though the brand just lost its entry-level Corsair crossover, shrinking its U.S. lineup to just three name plates."
The Lincoln Corsair is a small luxury SUV that is comfortable and has many features. It's designed for people who want a nice vehicle that feels premium.
The Lincoln Corsair is a compact luxury crossover SUV that offers a blend of performance, technology, and comfort. It is designed to compete in the growing luxury SUV market.
Lincoln Navigator
"...when you look how the year ended, Navigator, we had a great launch. Navigator launching in 25, no hiccups. I mean, we had a super launch, and that product has done really well..."
The Lincoln Navigator is a big, fancy SUV that offers a lot of space and luxury features. It's designed for comfort and is great for families or anyone who wants a high-end vehicle.
The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV known for its spacious interior, high-end features, and strong towing capacity. It is often praised for its comfort and technology, making it a popular choice among luxury SUV buyers.
Lincoln Nautilus
"... Just I love the way I feel in that vehicle. And Nautilus has done that too. And you'll see, you know, as ..."
The Lincoln Nautilus is a fancy SUV that feels really nice to drive and ride in. It's known for being comfortable and having lots of cool features, which is why people like talking about it when they discuss luxury cars.
The Lincoln Nautilus is a luxury midsize SUV that combines comfort, advanced technology, and a refined driving experience. It is significant for its upscale features and spacious interior, making it a popular choice among those seeking a premium vehicle. The Nautilus often comes up in discussions about luxury SUVs due to its blend of style and performance.
BMW iX3
"...what you're doing with BMW with the iX3 that's coming out with Alexa Plus. I think that's a completely different user experience."
The BMW iX3 is an electric version of BMW's popular SUV. It runs on electricity instead of gasoline, which is better for the environment and can save money on fuel.
The BMW iX3 is an all-electric SUV that represents BMW's commitment to electric mobility. It combines the practicality of an SUV with the benefits of electric driving, offering a sustainable option for consumers.
software defined vehicles
"...what software defined vehicles could mean for how long people keep their cars, and why the future may rely on a mix of in vehicle and cloud computing."
Software defined vehicles are cars that use computer software to manage many of their features. This means they can be updated and improved even after you buy them, similar to how apps on your phone work.
Software defined vehicles are cars that rely heavily on software to control various functions, from infotainment systems to driving dynamics. This shift allows for more updates and features to be added post-purchase, enhancing the vehicle's capabilities over time.
tariff landscape
"...to importing additional vehicles to the US or given the current tariff landscape, does it prohibit that at least for the next few years?..."
The tariff landscape is about the taxes that are added to cars brought into a country. These taxes can change how much it costs to buy cars from other places, affecting what companies decide to do.
The tariff landscape refers to the current state of tariffs, which are taxes imposed on imported goods, including vehicles. Changes in tariffs can significantly affect the cost of importing cars and influence manufacturers' decisions regarding production and sales strategies.
automotive cycles
"...It's hard to predict in automotive cycles how these things play out with macroeconomics. Always open to figuring out the best way to do things..."
Automotive cycles are the ups and downs in car sales and production that happen over time. They can change based on how the economy is doing or what people want in cars.
Automotive cycles refer to the recurring patterns of production, sales, and demand in the automotive industry. These cycles can be influenced by economic conditions, consumer preferences, and technological advancements, affecting how manufacturers plan their production and marketing strategies.
de-risking
"...how do we always keep a mind toward de-risking things so that there isn't that huge headwind shift should something change faster than an automotive cycle..."
De-risking means finding ways to make sure a business doesn't face big problems in the future. For car companies, this could mean making different types of cars or using new technology to stay safe from changes in the market.
De-risking refers to strategies used by businesses to minimize potential risks and uncertainties in their operations and future planning. In the automotive industry, this can involve diversifying product lines, investing in new technologies, or adjusting production strategies to avoid negative impacts from market changes.
Ford
"...the UEV platform, obviously for the Ford brand, a lot of talk about that, a lot of investment and focus on the future there..."
Ford is a famous car company from the United States that makes many types of vehicles, including trucks and sports cars. They are known for their popular models like the Ford F-150 truck.
Ford is a well-known American automotive manufacturer that produces a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. The company has a long history in the automotive industry and is recognized for its innovation and production of popular models like the Ford F-150 and Ford Mustang.
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