Is Mercury Outboards owned by Ford?
Mercury Outboards are not owned by Ford. They are part of Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, while Ford’s Mercury automobile brand was discontinued in 2011. The two brands are not connected in current ownership.
This article clarifies the distinction between Mercury Marine’s outboard propulsion brand and Ford’s historical Mercury car marque, and explains what that means for boat owners, dealers, and consumers today.
Current ownership of Mercury Outboards
Here are the core facts about who owns Mercury Outboards today and where the brand fits in the corporate landscape.
- Owner: Brunswick Corporation, via its Mercury Marine division.
- Brand scope: Mercury Marine produces Mercury outboards (and MerCruiser stern drives) under the Mercury brand.
- Headquarters and operations: Mercury Marine is headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with global manufacturing and a widespread dealer network.
- Not Ford-owned: There is no ownership stake by Ford in Mercury Outboards today.
In short, the Mercury Outboard brand operates under Brunswick's Mercury Marine umbrella, separate from Ford's automotive businesses.
Historical context: Ford, Mercury car brand, and Mercury Marine
To understand the distinction, it helps to separate the two uses of the Mercury name. Ford Motor Company built and marketed Mercury as a distinct automobile brand from the late 1930s until its discontinuation in 2011. Mercury marine, by contrast, predates and is independent of Ford, having long been part of Brunswick Corporation.
The two brands do not share ownership or corporate ties in the present day, and Ford has not owned Mercury Outboards or Mercury Marine.
What this means for boat owners and dealers
For customers and dealers, the ownership structure matters mainly for service, parts, and warranties. Mercury Marine maintains its own dealer network, parts distribution, and customer support separate from Ford. Your local Mercury Marine dealer will reference Mercury Outboard models and service schedules independent of any Ford operations.
Understanding this distinction helps avoid confusion when shopping for outboards, maintaining equipment, or researching warranty terms.
Summary
Mercury Outboards are not owned by Ford. They are a product line of Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation. Ford's Mercury automobile brand, introduced in the late 1930s, was discontinued in 2011. Today, the Mercury Outboard brand remains separate from Ford, with Brunswick overseeing production, parts, and dealer support for marine propulsion.
