Q & A With Lincoln's Chief Exterior Designer Earl Lucas As He Talks Brand's EV Future And More

Chief Exterior Designer Earl Lucas with the Lincoln Star Concept (Photo Credit: Shawn Lee)

Lincoln is currently celebrating its 100-year anniversary as an iconic luxury brand. While the luxury brand segment remains hyper competitive, as such newcomers as Genesis, Lucid Motors and Tesla make waves, catching the eye of consumers, JeffCars.com goes one-on-one with Earl Lucus. Lucas has been instrumental in using his God given talent and leadership skills, crafting stylish designs to keep the brand relevant, as the auto industry slowly shifts toward electrified vehicles. 

'Auto Trends' Talks Rural Black Town Vs The State As Ford Builds A Mega Electric Vehicle Campus (Two Part Show)

Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company

In September 2021, Ford Motor Company announced the creation of a mega electric vehicle campus known as Blue Oval City, which is based in Stanton, Tennessee. Stanton is located approximately 50 miles outside of Memphis, Tennessee.

Ford’s $5.6 billion dollar electric battery and manufacturing campus will be the largest in the Ford world, according to representatives from the automaker. The sleepy little Town of Mason, Tennessee, which is located just five miles away from the site of the new Mega campus, is being led by an all-black administration. 

SiriusXM’s ‘Auto Trends’ Talks To The Attorney And Client Whom Were Awarded A $137 Million Discrimination Judgement Against Tesla (Two Shows)

 

While Tesla is winning the electric luxury car race in terms of sales and record setting stock prices, making it the most valuable automotive company in the world, they’re bringing up the rear with regard to race relations with the Black community.

According to the latest industry data, Black car buyers account for 4 percent of Tesla’s annual new vehicle sales. Black workers and managers, account for 10 percent and 4 percent, respectively, of the company’s workforce. Moreover, up until 2019, Linda Johnson Rice, whose father founded Ebony Magazine, was the first and only African American to serve on the automaker’s board, until she and two others opted not to stay on as directors.

An Industry I Have Given My Life To Has Gone Silent Like A Hybrid

This is the paint job of NASCAR's only Black fulltime driver Bubba Wallace, Jr., official Black Lives Matter car, after the sport agreed to ban the Confederate flag.

Dear Automotive Community,

Over the past few weeks, America has been dealt a triple whammy. Our country has had to manage COVID-19, the recession and the recent racial injustices that can no longer be ignored. As Americans, we are no longer in a position to lecture other countries about their human rights injustices, when this country has literally turned a blind eye to the Black community, more specifically Black men who look like me.

The industry, which I have invested my life in, has literally switched into hybrid mode - being as silent as a mouse. Unlike with COVID-19, almost every automaker wanted to show the world how they were committed to fight the virus. Most automakers adjusted their advertising to reflect the mood of America, while others offered 'Car Mortgages' and deferred payments to let Americans know, as many were sheltered in place, and unable to work, sending the message we are here for you. Some car companies converted segments of their manufacturing plant to build ventilators, while others lent out vehicles to essential workers. The automotive community showed their compassionate side, as well as their financial commitments.

Airing This Saturday: Global Car Designer Brian Peterson Talks Faith, Cars And How He Personally Validates The Homeless

Brian Peterson is at his desk, working on a design project.

While most millennials are still discovering their purpose for being, Brian Peterson, the 29-year old rising star and global designer for Kia, seems to be hitting his stride. Peterson, a Miami native, who has a heart of gold, goes one-on-one with “Auto Trends with JeffCars.com” this Saturday.

Peterson, as you’ll find, from tuning into our riveting conversation, thrives on challenges. This is what propelled him into a career where only a few are chosen. In fact, Peterson will tell you in a very unassuming manner that one has a better chance of being drafted into the NBA, as opposed to becoming a car designer. And, unlike the NBA, there are only a small number of Blacks, whose creative talents allow them to squeeze into the highly competitive field of automotive design.