Ford Plans to Kill Storied Mercury

The Wall Street Journal ^ | MAY 28, 2010 | MATTHEW DOLAN

[MinorityRepublican]

Ford Motor Co. is preparing to phase out its 71-year old Mercury brand, adding to the list of storied Detroit nameplates that reached the end of the road in recent years as the industry has become more competitive.

Ford Chief Executive Alan Mulally and his top lieutenants have won the backing of key members of the Ford family and are expected to seek approval from the car maker's board to kill Mercury after years of dwindling sales, a person familiar with the matter said Thursday.

Mercury was created in 1939 by Edsel Ford, the son of legendary founder Henry Ford. It was prompted by General Motors Co.'s strategy of building a "ladder of brands" that included Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac. That allowed GM to appeal to a wide range of customers and move them up the brand and price ladder as their incomes rose, enabling GM to pass Ford as the world's largest auto maker.

Mercury would be the latest Detroit brand to die since 2000. As part of its bankruptcy restructuring last year, GM shut down its Pontiac and Saturn divisions, and Hummer appears to be headed for the same fate. Earlier this decade GM phased out Oldsmobile and Chrysler Group LLC killed off Plymouth.

[beebuster2000]

Top Kill Shot on Mercury with Fuzzy Dice and Goof Balls !!!!!!

[TexasNative2000]

My first car was a ‘67 Mercury Cougar - a cousin of the Ford Mustang and one fine vehicle.

[Yardstick]

Your statement. It puzzles me.

[Patrick1]

Keep the girl in the commercials!

[beebuster2000]

I have no idea why I posted it. Just came to me, and had to get out.

[Plutarch]

As an owner of a 1970 Mercury Cougar XR7 Convertible with a 4V 351C, I object.

[GSP.FAN]

Good..

[Mr. Mojo]

'67 Mercury Cyclone GT

[Yardstick]

lol — I figured it was something like that. And I must admit I kind of like the Goof Balls part.

[Huskrrrr]

My first car was a 77 Mercury Montego. Kissing cousin of the Cougar. Lots of duplication between Ford and Merc.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Damn,no more Hot Rod Lincolns.What a shame.

[dalebert]

lol sad the merc will be gone.

[Yardstick]

Pretty cool. I almost bought a 1965 Mercury Comet a few years ago.

[getarope]

The Lincoln brand is being retained.

[AFreeBird]

I knew a guy in HS that had a bronze (i think) colored one of those with a with a 428CJ.

[Mad Dawgg]

"Ford Plans to Kill Storied Mercury"

If Ford would make new MErcs look and run like this:

They wouldn't be able to keep up with demand!

[I see my hands]

"preparing to phase out its 71-year old Mercury brand"

Huh. I read a fairly lucid story recently about 72 years being the natural and inevitable lifespan of an astounding number of disparate things and ideas. It's why a son fails with his father's successful business, for example.

[Richard Kimball]

The Original Hot Rod Lincoln by Charlie Ryan and the Timberline Riders

[Tribune7]

ping