While crossovers have been a thing for more than a decades now, the crossover coupe niche isn't as big, despite BMW having started the trend with the X6 back in 2007. But more and more automakers are joining the market and Lincoln is now the latest manufacturer that wants a piece of the action.

According to a report by Reuters, Lincoln wants to produce no fewer than five models in China by 2022, one of which is a "Small coupe-like crossover." There's no word as to where it will slot in the lineup, but there's a big chance it will be based on the crossover that will replace the MKC compact. The crossover coupe is slated for production in 2022, when it will join the Aviator, Nautilus, and replacements for the MKC and MKZ on the brand's new production line in China.

Why is Lincoln moving production for some of its models to China? Well, it could help to drive sales up as vehicle built locally wouldn't be subject to a 25-percent import tax. Lincoln sold almost 55,000 automobiles in China last year, which is a record for the brand, but it's still well below the 170,000+ units that Cadillac sold in the country in 2017. Ford also wants to use its premium brand to catch up on German luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, which are already selling in big numbers in China.

The new crossover coupe will most likely get its juice from Ford's small-displacement EcoBoost gasoline engines, but it will also benefit from Ford's hybrid gasoline-electric powertrains, which will help the brand meet China's stringent targets for electrified vehicles.

References

Read our full review on the 2019 Lincon MKC.

Read more Lincoln news.