Is Mercury made by Ford?
Yes. Mercury was created by Ford Motor Company as a separate automobile brand and, today, Ford no longer produces Mercury vehicles. This article traces the brand’s origins, its role in Ford’s lineup, why it ended, and how people sometimes confuse it with other uses of the name.
Historical overview
Mercury was Ford’s mid-range brand, positioned between the mass-market Ford lineup and the luxury Lincoln line. It served to attract buyers seeking a blend of style, features, and price that didn’t fit neatly into Ford or Lincoln.
Early years and expansion
Key milestones in Mercury’s development helped establish it as a distinct brand within Ford’s umbrella. The following timeline highlights the major turning points.
- 1938 — Ford Motor Company launches Mercury as a separate automobile marque to fill a mid-market niche.
- 1939 — The first Mercury model, the Mercury Eight, goes on sale, establishing the new brand’s identity.
- 1950s–1960s — Mercury broadens its lineup with mid-range luxury sedans and coupes, including nameplates that gain recognition in the market.
- 1960s–1970s — Mercury strengthens its pages with additional models and distinct styling, maintaining its position between Ford and Lincoln.
- 1990s–2000s — Mercury undergoes a revival with family sedans and SUVs, such as the Sable, Mountaineer, Mariner, and newer entries tied to Ford’s platform strategy.
- 2011 — Ford announces the end of the Mercury brand, and the last Mercury vehicles are sold in the 2011 model year.
The timeline shows Mercury’s rise as a branded option within Ford and its eventual deemphasis as Ford refocused on its core brands.
Notable models and lineup highlights
Mercury’s model lineup evolved over the decades, featuring a mix of sedans, coupes, and utility vehicles that reflected shifting consumer tastes. The following list highlights some of the more recognizable names associated with the brand.
- Mercury Eight (1939) — The inaugural model that established the brand’s early prestige.
- Mercury Monterey (1950s) — A mid-range long-running nameplate.
- Mercury Montclair (1950s) — A higher-trim line during the era.
- Mercury Grand Marquis (1975–2011) — A long-lived full-size sedan that capped the brand’s lineup.
- Mercury Sable (1986–2009) — A front-wheel-drive family sedan that aligned with evolving consumer preferences.
- Mercury Mountaineer (2002–2010) — A mid-size SUV that mirrored the SUV wave of the era.
- Mercury Mariner (2005–2011) — A compact SUV that complemented Ford’s crossover strategy.
- Mercury Milan (2008–2011) — A mid-size sedan introduced to broaden the portfolio in the late 2000s.
These models illustrate how Mercury served as a bridge between Ford’s mainstream and premium offerings before the brand was discontinued.
Mercury vs. Mercury Marine: two very different entities
There is a common point of confusion between Mercury the car brand and Mercury Marine, the marine engine maker. Mercury Marine is not owned by Ford and is not part of Ford Motor Company. It is a division of the Brunswick Corporation and operates independently of Ford, producing outboard motors and related marine equipment worldwide.
In other words, when people refer to Mercury in the context of Ford cars, they’re talking about the defunct car marque. When they refer to Mercury Marine, they’re talking about a separate company entirely.
Current status and revival prospects
As of today, Ford has not revived the Mercury brand, and there are no announced plans to re-enter the market with a Mercury badged vehicle. The brand remains part of automotive history, frequently cited in discussions of Ford’s mid-market strategy and branding experiments of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Summary
Mercury was Ford Motor Company’s effort to offer a mid-range brand between Ford and Lincoln, launched in the late 1930s and discontinued after the 2010–2011 model year. While Mercury the car brand is no longer in production, Mercury Marine remains a separate entity under Brunswick Corporation. The Mercury chapter in Ford’s history illustrates how automakers experiment with branding to capture different segments, and its end reflects Ford’s ongoing strategic realignment in a changing market.
