Of course, skeptics -- actually, everyone -- will point out that Lincoln has quite an uphill battle ahead of it. Success is hardly a sure thing in the crowded luxury market, but over at CNBC, Phil Lebeau has three reasons why Lincoln may be able to pull it off.

First, LeBeau points out that Ford's commitment is long-term. Lincoln is elemental to the overall Ford company, and the manufacturer will treat it accordingly.

Secondly, Lincoln dealers will be forced to go upscale -- that is, upscale in a way that competes directly with the likes of Lexus and BMW. Lincoln is supposed to be a luxury brand, which means customer service and overall presentation need to be on par with the most adept of competitors.

Finally, LeBeau points out that Lincoln will enjoy the same leading technologies that have made many Ford models so popular in the form of the Sync and MyFord (and MyLincoln) Touch systems. Add leading tech into a slew of new models, and Ford might have a recipe for success.

OK, a couple of quick counterpoints to LeBeau's arguments: First, long-term commitment is well and good -- necessary, in fact -- but Lincoln is not a new brand; it doesn't need a few years to find its niche and take advantage of it. It has its niche and has been failing at it, meaning it has to overcome the stink of recent mediocrity before it even reaches a base level. And while Ford's "democratization of technology" strategy worked well for the lower-end Ford vehicles, it probably won't work as well in higher-end Lincoln models. Ford put high-end tech in relatively inexpensive models that you wouldn't expect to have it, and made that fact a selling point; luxury models are supposed to have the best of the best.

Which is not to say that I think Lincoln lacks a fighting chance. I just think we won't know one way or another until we see what type of models start rolling onto lots.