Does Ford own Lincoln and Mercury?
Ford currently owns Lincoln as its luxury division, while Mercury is no longer an active automotive brand. Lincoln remains part of Ford Motor Company; Mercury was discontinued and is not part of Ford’s lineup today.
Current ownership and brand status
Ford Motor Company maintains Lincoln as a distinct luxury division within the company. By contrast, Mercury was retired as a brand and is not marketed or produced anymore.
Key points to clarify the current landscape:
- Lincoln is a luxury division of Ford Motor Company.
- Mercury was discontinued as a brand in 2010 and is no longer produced or marketed.
- Ford remains the parent company of Lincoln; Mercury is not an active brand in Ford’s lineup.
- Legacy Mercury dealerships and models were phased out or reallocated to Ford and Lincoln over time.
Taken together, these points show that Ford continues to own and operate Lincoln, while Mercury is a defunct brand from Ford’s past.
Historical context
Lincoln within Ford
Lincoln became part of Ford in 1922 when Ford purchased the company. Since then, Lincoln has operated as Ford’s premium luxury brand, separate from Ford’s mass-market lineup and aligned with Ford’s corporate structure.
Mercury's rise and retirement
Mercury was introduced in 1938 to offer a mid-priced option between Ford and Lincoln. Over the decades, Mercury faced sales and positioning challenges, and Ford announced the brand’s discontinuation, with production ending around 2010. The brand was formally retired, and Mercury-branded vehicles and marketing no longer appear in Ford’s active portfolio.
Summary
Ford owns Lincoln as its luxury division within Ford Motor Company. Mercury is a defunct brand, discontinued in 2010, and no longer part of Ford’s current lineup. The contrast reflects Ford’s strategic focus on maintaining two active brands—Ford for mass-market and Lincoln for luxury—while Mercury was retired from the market.
