10/17/07

Mulally says Mercury has a Future

Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally told media covering the 2008 Ford Focus launch that the Mercury brand still has a future.

Many observers believe the brand could be the next Oldsmobile. Sales are falling and the marque is systematically being starved of product. 1900 Lincoln-Mercury dealers will need to be consolidated before the brand can be exited without duress.

Alan's remarks:

“Absolutely. It’s doing well. We’ve got a great set of products in Mercury. It’s a very nice complement to the Ford products. And so we have a good lineup in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury.”

By combining Mercury’s sales performance with comeback kid Lincoln, the company is painting a rosy picture.

No distinct Mercury products have been announced, rebadging of Fords will continue.

In 2006, Mercury moved around 180,000 vehicles, the lowest sales since 1960.