Are Ford and Mercury the Same?
No, Ford and Mercury are not the same, but they do share a common heritage as nameplates from the same manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. The major difference between the two brands is that Ford is targeted at lower to middle-income buyers, while Mercury was marketed to the more affluent.
While both brands shared some components and features due to their shared heritage, they catered to different market segments. Ford models were mass-market and produced in large quantities, while Mercury was positioned as a mid-level marque between Ford and the luxury Lincoln brand.
In terms of their history, Mercury was introduced by the Ford Motor Company as a mid-level marque between the humble Ford and the luxury Lincoln, with the goal of competing with mid-level offerings from other manufacturers.
Despite their differences, there were instances of overlap and shared models between Ford and Mercury. For example, in 1975, the Monarch nameplate became associated with Mercury, becoming the counterpart of the Ford Granada ). Additionally, the Mercury Mountaineer was considered the poor man’s version of the Ford Explorer.
Ultimately, the Ford Motor Company made the decision to discontinue the Mercury brand in 2010 after more than 70 years in business, citing factors such as brand overlap and the vilification of rebadging as reasons for Mercury’s demise.
In summary, while Ford and Mercury are distinct brands with their own target markets and characteristics, they do share a common history and some overlap in their model offerings.
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Do Mercury cars still exist?
Ford completely phased out the Mercury brand in 2011, as the company refocused its marketing and engineering efforts solely on the Ford and Lincoln brands.
Is Mercury made by Ford?
Ford completely phased out the Mercury brand in 2011, as the company refocused its marketing and engineering efforts solely on the Ford and Lincoln brands. “Mercury has been a tremendous line for Ford Motor Company because it filled the niche between our Ford and Lincoln lineups,” said Kreipke.
Why did Ford shut down Mercury?
Ford ended the production of the model in the fourth quarter of 2010. Mercury was originally created to offer Ford customers a premium vehicle. However, the popularity and corresponding sales of Ford-branded vehicles had left the Mercury brand weak, with many of its loyal customers electing to drive Ford models.
Is Lincoln and Mercury the same?
Following World War II, Ford formed the Lincoln-Mercury Division, pairing Lincoln with its mid-range Mercury brand; the pairing lasted through the 2010 closure of Mercury. At the end of 2012, Lincoln reverted to its original name, Lincoln Motor Company.
Does Mercury use Ford parts?
Ford Motor Company may have discontinued the Mercury brand, but they still manufacture OEM parts for Mercury vehicles. Genuine factory OEM Motorcraft and Ford parts are engineered and designed specifically for Mercury vehicles by Ford engineers.
Was Mercury nicer than Ford?
Most Mercury models were higher trim, than Ford models, but lower trim, than Lincoln. Mercury had more standard features, than Ford and was priced higher than Ford, but less than Lincoln. Are Lincolns really better than Fords? Mechanically – no.
Is Mercury built by Ford?
Ford completely phased out the Mercury brand in 2011, as the company refocused its marketing and engineering efforts solely on the Ford and Lincoln brands.
Why do Mercury look like Ford’s?
To downsize its body and lower production costs, Mercury was to adopt the Ford body (on its own wheelbase). In place of the five divisional bodies produced in 1958 (Ford, Lincoln/Continental, Mercury, large Edsel, small Edsel), Ford trimmed its full-size range to two for 1961 (Ford/Mercury, Lincoln).
Does Ford still build Mercury?
Ford completely phased out the Mercury brand in 2011, as the company refocused its marketing and engineering efforts solely on the Ford and Lincoln brands.
Was Mercury owned by Ford?
Mercury was one of the automobile divisions owned by Ford. The company was founded in 1938. Between 1945 and 2011, it was the Mercury half of the Lincoln-Mercury division of the Ford Motor Company. The vehicles made by Mercury include Mountaineer, Sable, Milan and Grand Marquis.