Is the Mercury Cougar made by Ford?
The Mercury Cougar is a vehicle produced by Ford Motor Company's Mercury division.
As a model, it has long stood as a Mercury-era nameplate within Ford’s corporate lineup. Mercury existed as a separate brand under Ford for decades, and the Cougar was introduced as a companion to the Ford Mustang before being sold under the Mercury badge. In recent years, Ford has discontinued the Mercury brand, but the Cougar remains a historical Ford product through its Mercury lineage.
Relationship to Ford Motor Company
Mercury was Ford Motor Company's division that produced a range of cars for buyers seeking a slightly different balance of luxury, performance, and styling than Ford badged models. The Cougar originated as a Mercury model designed to complement the Mustang, sharing engineering and styling cues while presenting its own market positioning.
- Mercury was the company's former brand/division, responsible for models like the Cougar, Grand Marquis, and Milan.
- The original Mercury Cougar debuted in 1967 as a two-door pony car positioned to sit alongside the Ford Mustang.
- A later revival of the Cougar in the late 1990s produced a distinct two-door model for Mercury, sharing a platform with Ford’s Mustang.
- Ford ultimately discontinued the Mercury brand in the early 2010s, ending new Mercury-branded models, including any future Cougars.
These points illustrate that the Cougar was indeed made by Ford through the Mercury division, but it is no longer in active production under the Mercury banner.
Production history and generations
Here is a concise timeline of the Mercury Cougar's production history.
- 1967: The Mercury Cougar is introduced as a Mercury model and a partner to the Ford Mustang, sharing many components.
- 1999–2002: The Cougar is revived as a distinct Mercury two-door model, built on the Ford Mustang platform, marking the second major generation of the nameplate.
- 2011 (brand-wide): Ford discontinues the Mercury brand, ending formal Mercury-branded vehicles, including future Cougars.
In short, the Cougar's most prominent eras align with Ford’s Mustang-based platforms, first in the late 1960s and again at the turn of the 21st century, before Mercury's brand retirement ended new production.
Current status
Today, there is no new Mercury Cougar. The Mercury brand itself was retired by Ford in 2011, and all new production ceased. If you are interested in a Cougar today, you would be looking at used examples from the late 1960s–early 2000s or considering a Mustang, which continues as Ford’s primary modern pony car.
Summary
The Mercury Cougar is a Ford product delivered through the Mercury division, originally launched in 1967 as a Mustang-based counterpart and later revived in the late 1990s. With Ford retiring the Mercury brand in the 2010s, no new Cougars have been produced since the early 2000s, and the model now exists in historical and collector terms rather than as a current vehicle in Ford’s lineup.
Did Ford make the Mercury Cougar?
Following the retirement of the Montego and Marquis convertibles, the Cougar became the final Mercury model line offered with the design for the 1973 model year; a light blue/white 1973 Cougar XR-7 was the last convertible assembled by Ford Motor Company (for over a decade).
What is a 1969 Mercury Cougar worth today?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $22,325 for a 1969 Mercury Cougar in good condition with average spec. The highest selling price of a 1969 Mercury Cougar at auction over the last three years was $121,000.
Is Mazda still owned by Ford?
No, Ford no longer owns Mazda; the partnership ended when Ford sold its remaining shares in 2015. Mazda is now an independent company, though the two companies maintain some strategic alliances.
- Past ownership: Ford began a partnership with Mazda in 1974 and increased its stake to a high of 33.4%.
- Divestiture: After the 2008 financial crisis, Ford began selling off its shares, with the process completing in 2015.
- Current status: Mazda is now a fully independent company, and Ford's ownership is negligible.
- Continued relationship: Despite the end of the ownership, the two companies still have some strategic partnerships.
Is Mercury owned by Ford?
Yes, Ford Motor Company formerly owned the Mercury brand, which was produced from 1939 until it was discontinued in 2011. Mercury was positioned as a premium brand, sitting between the more mainstream Ford and the luxury Lincoln brands. Ford has since refocused its efforts on the Ford and Lincoln brands.
- Ownership: Ford created and owned the Mercury brand for its entire existence.
- Brand positioning: Mercury was intended to be a step up from Ford, offering more features and a more upscale feel, but was priced lower than Lincoln.
- Discontinuation: In 2011, Ford ended the Mercury brand to concentrate on the Ford and Lincoln brands.
- Legacy: While no new Mercury vehicles are being made, the brand remains a part of automotive history.
