AP Sources: Ford to announce end of Mercury brand

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Washington Post

By TOM KRISHER and DEE-ANN DURBIN
The Associated Press

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. will announce Wednesday that it plans to kill its 72-year-old Mercury brand, according to two people briefed on the decision.

The automaker plans to add models to the Lincoln lineup to give dealers more products to sell, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the official announcement has not been made.

Ford has scheduled a conference call with dealers and a press conference for late Wednesday afternoon. The company said in a statement that the press conference would be an important product and brand discussion.

Mercury, which sells the Milan midsize car and Mariner midsize sport utility vehicle, has been suffering for years from a lack of new products and advertising support from Ford.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/02/AR2010060202763.html

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FILE - In this file photo taken June 28, 2007, a 1950s vintage Mercury Montclair auto waits on College Street in New Haven, Conn. Ford Motor Co. is assessing the future of Mercury, although a final decision on whether to kill the brand hasn't yet been made, a person familiar with the company's deliberations said Thursday, May 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Bob Child, File) (Bob Child - AP)

[Blue_Tires]

1. r.i.p.

[John1956PA]

2. Dang. It looks like my 2008 Grand Marquis will be the last Mercury I will ever own.

I like full-size, real-wheel drive cars. Since the Crown Victoria is offered only to police, and the big Lincolns are extravagant, the Grand Marquis is just right for me when it comes to traversing the hills and twisting roads in Western Pennsylvania.

[awoke_in_2003]

3. Steve Miller ain't gonna be happy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXcckPiLROk

[Amerigo Vespucci]

7. Neither will David Lindley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr3Jp_aF1Ok

Makes Miller's version sound like The Jonas Brothers.

:toast:

[awoke_in_2003]

8. thanks for the link...

the one I posted didn't live up to his album version, but the one you posted was even better.

[lib2DaBone]

4. Good . We no longer need multi-level marketing and product lines....

..Ford is building some truly fine cars these days.

Stay on the path you are on and give us a reliable low-maintenance electric vehicle.

[Champion Jack]

9. Can I order one that looks like this?

[tularetom]

5. Great - now I have this dumbass song stuck in my mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHEzBdtbQ6k&feature=related

[lib2DaBone]

6. My first car in High School was a 59 Ford Convertible

.. Chrome fender skirts and a white top.. Glass Packs... reverb radio with back speaker... a sweet ride...

and yes.. I had my girl friends scarf and the fuzzy dice hanging on the rear-view mirror...nothing better than hangin' in the back row at the drive-in..

[Romulox]

10. Wow. That is a beauty--a true work of mass-produced art!

They simply don't make them like that any more. My first car was a Ford Escort, so color me jealous!

[Romulox]

11. Painful but needed. Time for all sacred cows to be slaughtered.

So far, so good Mr. Mullaly! My community depends on your success.