Columnist Rick Kranz argues that if Ford's Lincoln division is to be an elite luxury brand, what it needs is a flagship vehicle that evokes admiring glances. "How does a lightweight, mid-engine, two-seater badge as a Lincoln sound?" he writes. Kranz says such a vehicle could be Lincoln's more refined answer to the short-lived Ford GT performance car. He says Lincoln has told Auto News that it will introduce seven new or revamped vehicles in the coming three years; "however, a two-seat, mid-engine car has not been suggested to dealers." He writes that the idea isn't that far-fetched, and has …

In spite of the weak economy, sales of organic foods are strong in Europe and the U.S. The performance of organics is attracting investors who see an upside in developing economies of scale in a fragmented market of local farmers, particularly in Europe.

A lot of companies are touting themselves as green, but consumers and critics are starting to wonder about the validity of the claims. Ogilvy & Mather says they have a point. The agency, which advocates accurate environmentalist marketing, says greenwashing is at epidemic levels. Says Scott McDougall, CEO of eco-marketing firm TerraChoice, "If we allow companies to get away with exaggeration, consumer skepticism will become cynicism and they'll stop choosing green products at all."

Modelo Especial is one of the fastest-growing beer brands. But it has not gotten that way by trying to appeal to everyone. Rather, the Crown Imports brand gets 80% of consumption from Hispanics. It is the third-largest import behind Corona Extra and Heineken and the third-fastest growing import, as well. The brand, which grew 15.7% last year, trails only Anheuser-Bush's Stella Artois and Heineken USA's Dos Equis, according to Beer Marketer's Insights.

Insurer Aflac has signed a multi-year deal to sponsor the Heisman Trophy, which goes every year to the top college football player. The deal starts with this year's college season and culminates with the award presentation in December.

Apple Stores will soon use one of Apple's most popular products to sell Apple products. The company is using iPads to show product information and pricing for iPods, iPhones, and computers. The move is part of Apple Store 2.0, its 10th anniversary refresh.

The J.M. Smucker Co. has completed the acquisition of the coffee brands of Rowland Coffee Roasters for $360 million. The coffee products are mostly sold under the Bustelo and Pilon brands, which target Hispanic consumers in the Northeast and southern Florida.

Borders will part ways with Seattle's Best Coffee, though the details of the separation agreement are under wraps. Borders only confirmed it will not put the brand in stores going forward. The company said the move will help it lower the costs associated with operating a cafe in its stores. Borders will, instead, operate its own cafes, "enabling us to reduce the licensing fees we pay," said the company in a release.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 17% of children and adolescents are obese. But McDonald's won't assess the impact of its food on childhood obesity. "This is about choice, and we believe in the democratic process," said CEO Jim Skinner at the shareholder meeting of the world's largest fast feeder. To applause, he added that it's about the right to choose. Shareholders sank a proposal that McDonald's should issue a report about its role in the childhood obesity epidemic. Their argument is that customers should make their own choices. Donald Zeigler, director of Prevention …

Mattel's Hot Wheels brand makes miniature cars, but on May 29, before the Indy 500, the company will take a life-sized track with a real car and real driver down a huge ramp and try to break the record for making a jump. Hot Wheels is promoting with a 30-minute special on ABC the day of the race. The 90-second trailer for the show extends its "Hot Wheels For Real" campaign positing a fictive testing facility -- à la the Air Force's Area 51 -- hidden for 43 years, where Hot Wheels has been making outrageous vehicles.