What car brand owns Mercury?
Ford Motor Company owns Mercury.
Mercury was created by Ford in 1939 as a distinct automobile marque positioned between Ford and Lincoln. It remained a Ford division for several decades until Ford announced its retirement of the brand in 2010, with Mercury-branded models continuing to appear briefly in some markets before the marque was fully discontinued. Today, Mercury is considered a defunct brand owned by Ford, remembered for its mid-range luxury positioning and a varied lineup.
Ownership and corporate history
Mercury’s status as a brand within Ford Motor Company means that Ford is the owner of the Mercury name, trademarks, and any residual rights. The brand was introduced to fill a market niche between Ford’s mass-market lineup and Lincoln’s luxury offerings. In 2010, Ford announced a restructuring that included retiring Mercury as a separate marque; the brand’s vehicles were phased out in the following years, and Mercury no longer operates as an independent brand today.
Origins of Mercury
The Mercury name was introduced by Ford in 1939 as a separate label designed to offer more upscale features than Ford at a price point lower than Lincoln. The initial lineup helped establish Mercury as a distinct competitor in the American market, with models that catered to buyers seeking a blend of style, comfort, and performance.
Corporate ownership
Throughout its history, Mercury remained under the umbrella of Ford Motor Company. There was no separate corporate owner; Mercury functioned as a Ford marque intended to capture a specific segment of buyers who wanted premium features without Lincoln-level pricing. The 2010 decision to retire Mercury marked the end of its independent operations within Ford.
Notable Mercury models
This list highlights some of Mercury's best-known models across decades, illustrating the brand's shift from traditional sedans to more modern crossovers and luxury-oriented offerings.
- Mercury Grand Marquis
- Mercury Cougar
- Mercury Sable
- Mercury Milan
- Mercury Mariner
- Mercury Mountaineer
- Mercury Capri
- Mercury Comet
These models reflect Mercury's evolution—from full-size sedans to sport coupes and mid-size crossovers—within Ford’s broader product strategy and its late-2000s realignment that led to the brand’s retirement.
Discontinuation and legacy
Ford announced the retirement of the Mercury brand in 2010 as part of a broader restructuring focused on Ford and Lincoln. The marque’s lineup was gradually phased out, with the last of Mercury-branded vehicles sold around the end of the first decade of the 2010s in most markets. Today, Mercury no longer operates as a separate brand, though Ford retains ownership of the Mercury name and its historical legacy, which remains a point of reference for enthusiasts and within Ford’s corporate history.
What remains today
Mercury is considered a defunct automotive marque. Ford continues to own the Mercury trademarks and the historical record of the brand, and the Mercury name occasionally appears in discussions of Ford’s heritage and in collector circles.
Timeline of Mercury's corporate history
The following timeline highlights key moments in the brand's lifecycle, from its inception to its retirement.
- 1939: Ford introduces Mercury as a separate brand positioned between Ford and Lincoln.
- 1940s–1960s: Mercury expands its lineup with a broad range of body styles and models.
- 1970s–1980s: Mercury maintains its place in Ford's lineup with models such as the Capri, Marquis, and Grand Marquis.
- 1990s–2000s: Mercury introduces modern models like Sable, Milan, Mariner, and Mountaineer while refining its brand identity.
- 2010: Ford announces the discontinuation of the Mercury brand as part of a strategic restructuring.
- 2011 (phasing): Mercury-branded vehicles are gradually phased out in most markets; the brand becomes officially defunct in practice.
The timeline illustrates Mercury's evolution within Ford and the eventual decision to retire the marque, ending its 70+ year run as a distinct brand.
Summary
Mercury was a mid-range automotive brand owned by Ford Motor Company from its inception in 1939 until its retirement in the early 2010s. It served to bridge Ford and Lincoln in Ford’s lineup and produced a diverse range of models across seven decades. Following Ford’s 2010 decision to discontinue Mercury, the brand no longer operates as a separate entity, though its history remains part of Ford’s corporate legacy and automotive history. Ford continues to own the Mercury name and its historical footprint within the industry.
