After 71 years, the Mercury brand of cars will disappear by year's end. Ford has announced plans to cease production.
Mercury, started in 1939 by Edsel Ford, was a very popular brand at one time. Sales have been slipping so the decsion was not unexpected.
You have to applaud Ford for making the necessary market adjustments to throw-off a non-performing product line, but it's sad to see a piece of Americana disappear.
Wonder if anyone else wants to manufacture the Mercury as a boutique brand.
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Steve * I already cried over this * played Alan Jackson's song and found some old pics!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei_U3DDVgTs
Wallace,
I certainly remember all of the old "cruisers." :)
Steve
Steve,
My second new car, my first and best real estate car was a '73 Mercury. I loved it! As Jerry lee said "It's got to be a Mercury"!
Sorry to say a boutique Mercury makes no sense, since it's simply a better trim package on a Ford.
It's sad, but Ford makes a profit unlike Government Motors.
Bill
My two best vehicles were Mercurys = a 1997 Villager Van I drove for 12 years (got rid of it last year) and Sable! Hate to see it go.
Bill,
I agree. It's a good business decision, but maybe they didn't try hard enough to enhance the brand. :)
Steve
Gary,
Just as GM had several duplicate models, I think Ford saw that they couldn't do this either. I don't know why they haven't try to rebrand the Mercury. :)
Steve
Hi Steve:
What a shame...
And they are still pumping out the Mercury commercials...
IMHO * they should NOT be able to retire a brand that has won a major NASCAR race...I think there is a Mercury on "Glory Road" at the NASCAR HoF
http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/opinion/06/01/retro.racing.maumann.mercury.history/1.html
Toula,
The commercials will soon stop, I'm sure. :)
Steve
Wallace,
What about Pontiac? :)
Steve
I'm sure the move was made to strengthen Ford. That should keep the Chicago thug regime from taking over ownership of them (hopefully).
Jon,
I'm sure that is why, but it's still sad to see it go. :)
Steve
It seems to me like, over the past couple months, all the news is BAD...worst cycle I recall in my nearly 60 years.
Steve,
Part of it may be that we are more attuned to it, that bloggers are helping to bring topics to the attention of people, and that it is time for new people in Washington. :)
Steve
It's about time. There are some great cars in the brand's history, but unless they were going to actually make distinct cars, the line might as well belly up. Lincoln on the hand DOES have unique cars.
Lane,
Mercury and Lincoln both have faded as brands on the street. Outside of limos, don't see that many Lincolns anymore. :)
Steve
I see more Lincolns than Mercury cars... those Aviators and Navigators are everywhere... as are Town Cars and MKZs, etc. Mercury has dwindled...
Lane,
I wasn't thinking of the Navigator as a Lincoln. Don't remember the last time I saw a Town Car on the road. :)
Steve