The third-generation Marquis is based upon the rear-wheel drive Ford Panther platform. Developed for the downsizing of the full-size Ford Motor Company product ranges, the architecture is an evolution of the previous-generation chassis (introduced in 1969). For the first time in the history of the division, Mercury shared a common wheelbase with Ford, as both the Marquis and its Ford LTD counterpart adopted a 114.3 inch wheelbase (a 9.7 reduction from the previous 124 inches; 121 inches from Ford and all station wagons). For 1980, the use of the chassis was expanded as Lincoln introduced the downsized Continental and the Continental Mark VI.