US: Fields insists Ford will keep investing in Mercury
By: Glenn Brooks, Tuesday, June 10, 2008, AutomotiveWorld.com
Pressed by reporters at a launch event for the 2009 Lincoln MKS in Michigan, Ford Motor Company's president of the Americas, Mark Fields, says the firm is continuing to invest in Mercury, Reuters reports. The viability of the brand, which has few models and is sold only in North America, has been called into question in recent times, in particular by Jerry York, the forthright representative of minor shareholder Kirk Kerkorian.
"It is an important part of the stable of brands," Fields reportedly stated when questioned over the company's investment intentions.
In 2007, Mercury's sales fell by just under seven percent and its role as the major name by volume at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships is being reversed. Unlike Ford's luxury brand, Mercury has no models of its own - all are restyled Fords.
The current range consists of the Milan (Ford Fusion/Lincoln MKZ), Sable (Ford Taurus) and Grand Marquis (Crown Victoria) sedans, as well as two SUVs, the Mariner (Escape) and Mountaineer (Explorer).
The Milan is due for replacement in 2012, the Sable in 2010 and the Grand Marquis, an old rear-wheel drive model, will be discontinued when the St Thomas plant in Ontario is shuttered in 2010. The 2009 Mariner has already been announced, and this update should last until a scheduled replacement appears in 2010, if this is still in Ford's plans, while the larger Mountaineer may be discontinued. A Milan Hybrid, meanwhile, is expected for the '09 model year.
Published on Tuesday, June 10, 2008
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