Armed with an elegant design and a handful of quality awards, Navigator enters the 2008 model year with a number of new standard features that offer customers more value for their hard-earned dollars.

"Our goal for the 2008 Navigator was to simplify the packaging and standardize features that luxury customers desire," said Brett Burin, Navigator marketing manager. "In addition to standardizing great features like the Power Liftgate, PowerFold third row seats and the THX Audio System, we also standardized SIRIUS satellite radio & Heated Cooled front seats."

Navigator retail sales have been up for seven out of the last nine months and are up 5% Year to Date through June.

"Research shows that Navigator has an 87 percent familiarity rate which means the general public is very aware of the vehicle," Burin said. "In addition to having a highly recognized name, the 2007 Navigator is also bringing new customers into the Lincoln showroom evident by a 40 percent conquest trade-in rate."

Part of Navigator's current success derives from the all new Navigator L, extended length, model. Launched as a 2007 model, the Navigator L delivers an additional 25 cubic feet of cargo space and is 14.9 inches longer than the standard Navigator.

"In December 2006, we launched the all-new Navigator L to provide our Dealers a vehicle to compete with the large SUVs currently offered by competitors." Burin said. "In addition to trade-ins from current Navigator customers looking for more cargo space, we are also seeing a wide array of customers trading in their current SUVfrom competitors for the Navigator L."

Quality goes hand in hand with luxury and Navigator won recognition in the latest J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. Navigator ranked second only to the Lincoln Mark LT for best quality in the Large Premium Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) segment.

Ford's internal quality data shows Navigator has some of the highest customer satisfaction levels of any Ford products.

In terms of luxury, the 2007 Navigator took the Interior of the Year award in the Premium-Priced Truck Interior segment by the Ward's Automotive editorial staff.

The 2007 J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL)SM , Navigator landed in the top three Premium Large MAV category. The APPEAL study identifies the features that people find most appealing about their new vehicles, measuring satisfaction with 100 vehicle attributes in categories such as ride and handling, engine and transmission, and comfort and convenience.

The Navigator was completely redesigned for 2007. Adding to the new design in 2008 are new standard features -- power liftgate, heated and cooled seats, SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, THX® II-Certified audio system, and PowerFold™ Third-Row Seat.

New options include a Rearview Camera System. This newly available Rearview Camera System mounts in the rear liftgate handle and is activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle or the hitch for ease of hooking up trailers. The video image is displayed in the self-dimming rearview mirror.

A Monochrome Limited Edition Package also is new for 2008 and features a unique badge, along with body-color exterior accents including lower grille, lower bodyside cladding, upper chrome grille and power-folding heated mirrors with puddle lamps. This package is offered in four monochromatic exterior treatments: White Chocolate Tri-coat, Black Clearcoat, Vapor Silver Clearcoat Metallic and Stone Green Clearcoat Metallic. Inside, the package includes unique black carpet and floormats, Ebony wood trim, and unique Stone or Camel seats with black leather inserts and black piping. A stitched Lincoln logo is also placed on each headrest.

Three new exterior colors are available for 2008: White Suede Clearcoat Metallic, Vapor Silver Clearcoat Metallic and Stone Green Clearcoat Metallic. -Ford