Mercury Straightline Archives

Ever on the ball, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has finally announced the most stolen vehicles for the 2009 Model Year! (For those of you without a calendar handy, we're only 56 days away from 2012.)

Topping the list is the 5.2-liter V10 powered 2009 Audi S8. How is it possible that a car that sold only 227 units is the most stolen? Well, because NHTSA bases the study on number of vehicles stolen per 1,000 produced. A total of two Audi S8s were stolen. Pretty sure Tom Brady's crashed more.

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Categories: Audi,Auto Industry,Ford,Mercury

By now you've read our Last Drive / Full Test of the 2010 Mercury Grand Marquis Ultimate Edition, laughed, cried over the loss of the brand and then re-read it.

But there's more to a road test than what makes it to the site. In order to get those bitchin' drifting shots someone has to suck it up and powerslide a 4,042 pound, 224 horsepower Mercury. It's a tough job some days.

Oh, and one more after the jump....because what would the point be in playing with a cop car if we didn't do a J-turn (or a Rockford if that's the way you want to play it)?

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Categories: Mercury

What characterizes a successful launch of a new or redesigned vehicle? Well, according to the top minds at Edmunds.com (parent company of Inside Line), you want to see high profit margins, low incentives, low days to turn (i.e., minimal time sitting on the lot waiting for buyers), strong sales performance versus segment rivals (i.e., market share), a high level of web buzz, and strong (predicted) residual value.

Using a total of 18 factors, Edmunds' data analysts scored all the vehicle launches during the 2009 calendar year as part of the first annual Edmunds.com Launch Breakthrough Awards. A total of 54 vehicles were eligible for the 2010 award. To be eligible, an all-new or totally redesigned vehicle had to be launched between January 1 and December 1, 2009 and had to sell at a rate of at least 100 vehicles per month.

The Chevrolet Camaro took the win, obviously, but click through the jump to see the top 10 scoring vehicles. Hint 1: Seven of the 10 are from traditional domestic brands. Hint 2: There's a Porsche in the mix. 

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Categories: Auto Industry,Buick,Cadillac,Chevrolet,Ford,GMC,Lexus,Mercury,Porsche

(Photo By Flickr user Aldenjewell.)

Following our newest gallery, The Art of Mercury (Go now if you haven't, there's a link back here when you're done.), we' present this special sub-feature: the Advertising Art of Mercury. Mercury's design and popularity took stride along with an amazing age in advertising that featured hand drawn concepts and spectacular tag lines like "Mighty. Beautiful. The Mighty Beautiful 1951 Mercury."

Follow the jump for more vintage advertising from Mercury's past....

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Categories: Mercury

The reports started to come in last week, and today Ford made it official: Mercury is dead, and all production of Milans and Mariners will cease by the 4th quarter of this year. You can read all the details about the announcement on our Auto Observer blog, but here's the only number you need to remember: 0.8 percent. That's Mercury's current market share in the United States and that explains pretty much everything.

As for the reincarnated Ford Focus-based Mercury Tracer, that will live on. As a Lincoln. It will be the first C-segment Lincoln.

In observance of Mercury's passing, we've collected a few videos of '68 Cougars doing burnouts after the jump. We'll assemble a more elaborate eulogy once we've gotten a hold of ourselves.

Auto Observer

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Categories: Auto Industry,Crossovers,Ford,Lincoln,Mercury,SUVs,Sedans

According to two people close to the situation, Ford is winding down the Mercury brand for good. With sales down 74% since 2000 and Alan Mulally's refusal to grant Mercury exclusive content or features, this news was certainly a matter of when, not if.

This exact scenario was item # 2 in the Mechanic's "Fearless Forecast for 2010" saying, ""Alan Mulally has proven to be an inspired leader at Ford - the guy is no dummy. So there has to be a smart reason behind the decision to give the Ford division a new Taurus, but not give Mercury a new Sable. Mercury itself is in the deep doo-doo of doom.

Right now the entire Mercury lineup consists of just four vehicles: Milan sedan, Mariner crossover, Mountaineer SUV and Grand Marquis Medicare mobile. The Milan is just a riff on the Ford Fusion, the Mariner a rip of the Escape, the Mountaineer is based on the soon-to-be-euthanized Explorer and the Grand Marquis is available only on special order. When the Mountaineer and Grand Marquis go away, what's the point of keeping Mercury around at all?

In summary, it's a goner by summer. Yeah, I know. You saw it coming, too." 

While the report suggests that the withdrawal plan shuts Mercury's door by 2014, insiders who spoke with Inside Line in 2008 gave a much sooner timeline: 2012. 

It's all but offical: Mercury is dead.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant

via Bloomberg 

Categories: Mercury

Ford has been uncharacteristically mum about what its going to unveil at this week's New York Auto Show. Well, information wants -- nay, demands -- to be free.

And so, despite the efforts of Ford, word is leaking out that the company will unveil a hybrid version of the Lincoln MKZ midsize sedan at the Javits Center in a few days. It certainly makes sense that the Lincoln would get the hybrid treatment. Its platform mates, the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, are already available with a hybrid powertrain -- and a particularly nice one at that. So intrigued were we by our early tests of the Fusion Hybrid, in fact, that we bought one for our long-term fleet.

We don't know any other details at this point. But we'd be surprised if the Lincoln's powertrain differed greatly from those of the Ford and Mercury versions. The MKZ will be Lincoln's first hybrid and one that is likely to be a better-driving thing than the Lexus HS 250h, not that that would take much. (Note: the above picture is of a standard 2010 Lincoln MKZ).

Rumor has it that Ford will also reveal the Explorer, which our spies recently caught undressed.

The Detroit News

Categories: Ford,Hybrids,Lincoln,Mercury,New York Auto Show,Sedans

Remember all those stories about Mercury's impending death? Well, not much has changed as the brand has been limping along with a shriveling lineup for quite some time.

But don't worry Mercury fans, your ship has finally come in, and it's called the 2011 Mercury Tracer. At least that's the word out of Ford's dealer meeting over the weekend.

It will be based on the same platform as the new 2011 Ford Focus which also arrives next year. How different it will be from the Focus wasn't discussed, but past experience says they'll be almost identical.

We can only hope that Mercury has more in the pipeline than a rehashed Focus with a name like Tracer. If not, Mercury is indeed dead, and not too many people will be surprised.

Automotive News

Categories: Ford,Mercury,Sedans

What comes after Ford's Sync voice control technology? It's called MyFord Touch, and soon MyLincoln Touch (and if you're really optimistic, MyMercury Touch) and it debuted at this week's 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

It's basically a new control interface that gives you dominion over nearly feature in your Ford. MyFord Touch doesn't replace Sync; rather, it integrates with Sync. Ford has recently announced new features for Sync, including in-car WiFi capability, smart phone apps and iTunes tagging when you're listening. More crucially, Ford has made a round of improvements to Sync's often fallible voice recognition and command capabilities.

Edmunds.com tech guru Doug Newcomb walks you through the major features of MyFord Touch in this video.

For a more detailed look at MyFord Touch and the new Sync features, check the Edmunds CarPool blog.

Categories: Car Tech,Ford,Lincoln,Mercury,Trends

Toyota recalled nearly 4.9 million vehicles in 2009 -- the most of any automaker in the U.S., the Detroit Free Press reports. This is the first time Toyota has ever led in annual recalls, and of course this milestone is the result of the floor mat debacle during which 4.3 million vehicles were recalled.

Free Press writers crunched the numbers on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site. Ford came up second with 4.5 million recalled vehicles -- most of them covered by recalls for cruise control switches that can catch fire, a chronic defect in older Fords.

Next up was GM was 2.2 million recalled vehicles, followed by Hyundai with just over 1 million and Nissan with 700,000+. Chrysler rounded out the top five with 590,000.

You can see the full list in the Free Press article.

Categories: Buick,Cadillac,Chevrolet,Chrysler,Dodge,Ford,GMC,General Motors,Hyundai,Infiniti,Jeep,Kia,Lexus,Lincoln,Manufacturers,Mercury,Nissan,Toyota

This semi-regular column is written (in his own blood) by an automotive sage and noted malcontent, known as The Mechanic. Mercilessly beaten as a child with rolled-up back issues of old car magazines, our free-spoken hero developed a unique "for your own good" take on cars and the auto industry, along with an unfortunate habit of setting himself ablaze. Later, after a distinguished career as an automotive journalist and magazine editor, he cast off the reins of his musty oppressors, carved out his superego with a plastic spork and became The Mechanic.

As 2009 hits the Great Dumpster of Memory, I've decided to binge on the wife's hard egg nog, reflect on what I've learned over the last 12 months and tell you what it all means for our future. Your future. Now self-reflection doesn't come easily to me, so when I do reflect I don't get nostalgic or weepy. I usually just get pissed off all over again.

Not that 2010 isn't going to be a great year. It is. But it ain't all going to be beers on the beach either. In fact, the auto industry has a critical 365 days ahead of it. It's sink or swim time for everybody.

Anyway, here's what I see clogging our automotive sewer line over the next 12 months. Happy New Year.  

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Categories: Acura,Auto Industry,BMW,Chevrolet,Chrysler,Coupes,Crossovers,Ford,Future Vehicles,General Motors,Hatchbacks,Honda,Hybrids,Hyundai,Lincoln,Luxury Cars,Mercury,SUVs,Sedans,Sports Cars,Subaru,The Mechanic,Trends

Now it is true that we are an unusually hearty crew here braving, as most staffers do, the radically unpredictable and inhospitable climate of Santa Monica, California. Once tiny pellets of water actually rained down from the sky, slightly dampening freshly washed Porsches and freshly groomed small dogs. It was like a lawn sprinkler, but it came from the sky!

So you can see why we'd be so excited about Ford Motor Company's announcement today that it would begin offering heated steering wheels on some models (first on the 2011 Lincoln MKX). Because cold hands suck.

Also, the company announced that it would begin selling a factory-installed remote starter, which has got to be one of the all-time finest inventions known to man. Now, it is true that General Motors and little-known "carmaker" Chrysler have previously produced such items. But owners of Ford Motor Company vehicles had to either start their cars while in the vehicle or have some dude with face tattoos cut into their car's wiring to install an aftermarket unit. And, like other factory systems, Ford's is integrated with the vehicle's available automatic climate control system and heated/cooled seats and, yes, heated steering wheel to bring the cabin to a comfortable temp.

The system will eventually be offered for every Ford Motor Company vehicle (Yes, even for Mercury). It will debut on the 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup.

Oh, and Ford doesn't want to hear your whining about letting a cold engine idle and increased emissions, etc. Ford says its engineers estimate that the remote start could reduce hydrocarbon, CO and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 75 percent because it preheats the catalytic converter on cold starts before those first few emissions-rich accelerations.

Update: Chevrolet just sent us a press release that says just about exactly the same thing as the Ford press release sent a couple hours earlier. Difference is, Chevrolet got to point out that it has offered factory remote start since 2004. Maybe it's just a cold day in Detroit today or maybe this is just good old cross-town bickering. Whatever. Can't you two just get along and get to work on the electro-shawl that Detroit Editor Daniel Pund has been asking for?

Categories: Ford,Lincoln,Mercury

Curious whether the new 2010 Honda Accord has an optional neck massager? How about the tow rating on the Ford F-150? And what about those European cars, they're always adding some new totally nonessential technological "feature."

Now there's an easy way to find out. Our 2010 Buyer's Guide lists every model change from every manufacturer. From colors to options to full redesigns, it's all there.

2010 Buyer's Guide 

Categories: Acura,Aston Martin,Audi,BMW,Bentley,Bugatti,Buick,Cadillac,Chevrolet,Chrysler,Dodge,Ferrari,Fiat,Ford,GMC,General Motors,HUMMER,Honda,Hyundai,Infiniti,Jaguar,Jeep,Kia,Lamborghini,Land Rover,Lexus,Lincoln,Lotus,MINI,Maserati,Maybach,Mazda,Mercedes-Benz,Mercury,Mitsubishi,Nissan,Pontiac,Porsche,Rolls-Royce,SMART,Saab,Saturn,Scion,Subaru,Suzuki,Tesla Motors,Toyota,Volkswagen,Volvo

The July sales numbers are in, and the Ford Motor Company is looking pretty good.

Taken together, sales for the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands were up 9% over the same month last year. It' also posted the first year-over-year sales gain since November of 2007.

Highlights of the numbers include:

Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sales up 66% and 60% respectively.

Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner sales up 94% and 71% respectively. 

Ford Focus sales up 44%.

Strangely, Ford Ranger sales were also up 65% in July, so Ford's claim of having the "freshest lineup in the business" is always the reason for its big numbers.

AutoObserver: Cash for Clunkers Produces July Sales Boost

Categories: Auto Industry,Ford,Lincoln,Mercury

One of the more unusual collections headed for Monterey this summer is the Nick Alexander Collection. A well-known Los Angeles car dealer, Alexander amassed what is considered one of the world's finest collections of pre- and post-war wood-bodied wagons. He even built a restoration shop near of one his dealers just to work on the various cars over the years.

In August, RM Auctions will offer 52 different vehicles from the collection, all with no reserves. In  other words, if you've always wanted a classic woody and you have the cash, this is the chance of a lifetime.

RM Auctions

Categories: Car Auctions,Classic Cars,Convertibles,Ford,Mercury

With what passes for winter in Southern California quickly fading and summer fast approaching, it's time for the annual Fabulous Fords Forever show in Buena Park, California.  This year not only marks the 24th anniversary of the show itself, but also the 45th anniversary of the Mustang, the 50th anniversary of the Galaxie and the 70th anniversary of Mercury.

Although Mustangs make up a fair bit of the cars in attendance, don't think this is a one model show. With an expected attendance approaching 2,000 vehicles, from Pintos to Panteras, if Ford had something to do with it, you're likely to find an example of it parked on the grounds.

Mark your calendars for April 19th, and set aside a good half day to soak in all the hydrocarbons and hot dogs you can handle.

Categories: Ford,Lincoln,Mercury

J.D. Power's latest dependability study, which surveys the first three years of ownership, says Buick and Jaguar owners experience the fewest problems. Lexus, Toyota and Mercury rounded out the top five.

The single most dependable model was the Lexus LS 430. Toyota had the most segment winners with five (Highlander, Prius, Sequoia, Solara and Tundra).

There were a few other interesting pieces of information contained in the report. The average age of a used vehicle trade-in has risen from 65 to 73 months in the last three years. J.D. Power also said that overall problems have decreased at a rate of 10% a year since the beginning of the study.

J.D. Power

Categories: Auto Industry,Automaker Feedback,Buick,Jaguar,Lexus,Luxury Cars,Mercury,Toyota,Trends

You may have already seen the sales totals for December, and 2008 as a whole. If not, here's a summary: not good. For a more detailed look, check out the industry wide 2008 sales analysis over at AutoObserver .

We assembled something a little different though. Instead of assessing the big picture, we looked at the sales numbers for individual models. Which new models flopped, which old models recovered, that sort of thing. Some of the results we expected, others were a little more eye opening.  See for yourself after the jump.

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Categories: Auto Industry,BMW,Cadillac,Chevrolet,Chrysler,Dodge,Ford,General Motors,Hybrids,Infiniti,Lexus,Mazda,Mercedes-Benz,Mercury,Nissan,Pontiac,Porsche,SMART,Saturn,Toyota,Trends

In what could be the first indication that the Mercury brand is about disappear, Ford has confirmed to Inside Line that the Sable will axed this spring.

As you know the Sable, like all Mercury models, is merely a clone of some other existing Ford model. Sales are down 21 percent this year, which is the reason for its dismissal, so says a Ford spokesman.

Here's Inside Line's take: Ford Will Kill Off Mercury Sable in the Spring

Categories: Auto Industry,Ford,Mercury,Trends

Everyone knows GM and Ford have too many models, too many brands, too many dealers, too many of just about everything and anything one can think of. So might this financial mess be a blessing in disguise? Might this be just the impetius for the General and Ford to do what just about everyone thinks should be done: Shed--not just some of their excess models--but instead shed some of their excess brands?

AutoObserver seems to think that this could be in the cards, as the market just can't support so many redundant brands. Put them out of their misery. Make them extinct, just like the Woolly Mammoth and countless other critters that have ceased to have a reason to exist.

At GM, Pontiac, Buick, Saturn, GMC and Saab certainly all fall into that category. Might we see a lean and mean General Motors consisting of just Chevrolet and Cadillac, with maybe leaving Buick strictly for China?

And Ford? Might this be the time to cut Mercury; and maybe even cut Lincoln loose, by replacing it with Volvo?

If GM and Ford are going to do this, now is the best time to do so.

COMMENTARY: For Bailout Blueprint, GM, Ford Might Finally Burn Rubber on Underperforming Brands

Related story here.

Categories: Auto Industry,Buick,Cadillac,Chevrolet,Ford,GMC,General Motors,Lincoln,Mercury,Saab,Saturn,Volvo