Why did Ford close Mercury?

In 2010, Ford announced it would be discontinuing its Mercury brand. This decision was made in the midst of a major economic recession, and many wondered why Ford would choose to axe one of its brands at such a difficult time.

Ford's decision to close Mercury

First and foremost, the Mercury brand was simply not selling well. In 2009, Mercury sales were down by almost 40% from their peak in the early 2000s. Additionally, the brand was struggling to find its identity; many felt that it was neither luxury nor economy, and lacked a clear target market.

Furthermore, Ford was facing increasing pressure from shareholders to cut costs and improve its bottom line. And finally, with the success of Ford's "One Ford" plan - which aimed to streamline and simplify the company's operations - it made sense to consolidate the number of brands down to two (Ford and Lincoln).

So while the decision to discontinue Mercury was certainly a difficult one, it was ultimately the right move for Ford.

When it comes to reliability, Ford Mercurys are about average. In general, these vehicles have fewer problems than other makes and models; however, they are not immune to issues.

The most common problems with Ford Mercurys include transmission failure, engine failure, and electrical issues. These problems can be expensive to fix, and often lead to total vehicle breakdown.

While Ford Mercurys are not the most reliable cars on the market, they are still a good choice for many drivers. Those who are considering purchasing a used Mercury should be aware of these common issues, and budget for potential repairs down the road.

Are Ford and Mercury the same?

No, Ford and Mercury are not the same. Mercury was founded in 1939 as a division of the Ford Motor Company. The brand was created to offer a mid-priced vehicle option between Ford's economy cars and luxury Lincoln models.

Mercury was discontinued in 2010, and all remaining models were rebranded as Fords. So while Mercury is no longer its own separate brand, the vehicles that were once part of the Mercury lineup are still being produced by Ford.

Conclusion

Ford's decision to close Mercury was a difficult but necessary one. The brand was struggling to sell vehicles, and was facing increased pressure from shareholders to cut costs. Additionally, with the success of Ford's "One Ford" plan, it made sense to consolidate the number of brands down to two. While Mercury cars are not the most reliable on the market, they are still a good choice for many drivers. Those who are considering purchasing a used Mercury should be aware of common issues, and budget for potential repairs down the road.