DEARBORN, Mich. — Two weeks after revealing plans to expand the Lincoln brand and enhance the customer experience, the company announced last Friday that it would provide free scheduled maintenance for customers who purchase or lease new 2010 or 2011 Lincoln vehicles this summer.

Lincoln’s U.S. customer program, which runs through Sept. 7, covers oil changes, tire rotations, vehicle inspections, engine belts and hoses for three years or 45,000 miles, as well as wear items, including brake pads and wiper blades.

“Our commitment is to further grow the Lincoln brand and offer our luxury customers the premium experience they deserve and expect,” said Ken Czubay, Ford Motor Company’s vice president of U.S. marketing, sales and service. “Our free scheduled maintenance offer marks only the first step in our plans to further upgrade the Lincoln experience.”

Lincoln officials plan to expand the brand’s lineup with seven all-new or significantly refreshed vehicles in the next four years as part of an aggressive growth plan to raise the stakes in its competition with Cadillac and Lexus in North America.

Lincoln will be led by expanded product development and marketing, sales and service teams to support the brand’s growth plan and ensure it has a strong cadence of distinct products that are well positioned in the market. Plans for Lincoln include:

• Lincoln’s first-ever C-segment vehicle

• New Lincoln-exclusive powertrains, including an all-new V-6 engine and advanced fuel-efficient transmissions

• EcoBoost engines available in all Lincolns — from the Navigator full-size SUV to the new C-segment Lincoln

• Fuel economy leadership with each new vehicle

• More useful technology and features, with a special focus on comfort and convenience

In J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study, Lincoln moved into the top 10 among all automotive brands in the U.S. Lincoln ranked eighth, a move up from the 26th spot a year ago — the largest jump of any brand.

Earlier this year, Lincoln placed second behind Porsche in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study, ahead of several luxury brands, including Lexus, Mercedes, Acura and Cadillac. This study examined long-term durability of vehicles sold in the U.S.