Last Mercury rolls off the assembly line

[Madman]

What a surprise, a Grand Marquis.  A car that perfectly embodies everything that was wrong with Mercury.

R.I.P. Mercury.
1939-2011

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110104/CARNEWS/110109982

[280Z Turbo]

Holy crap! They still made the Grand Marquis?!

[WookieOnRitalin]

I really do not know what happened behind the scenes, but the problem with Mercury is that it had no room to maneuver. They were stuck with unoriginal products and rebadges. The most successful product I can remember in recently history with some level of acclaim was the Cougar which despite its foibles, people loved.

It's like Pontiac. It lacked real original product and by the time it finally started getting some, the ship had already sailed. Some of the greatest tragedies in the automotive industry are the loss of some of its great icons.

Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury, and Plymouth (ya I said it).

Great history. Some great cars. Too bad.

[Mustangfan2003]

Well I hope Ford does something with Lincoln now because they are making the same mistakes with them. 

[ifcar]

Holy crap! They still made the Grand Marquis?!

Last month, it outsold (among others):

-every Lincoln
-every Volkswagen but the Jetta
-the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger
-the Toyota Avalon
-the Hyundai Genesis (coupe + sedan)
-the Buick Regal

[3.0L V6]

Last month, it outsold (among others):

-every Lincoln
-every Volkswagen but the Jetta
-the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger
-the Toyota Avalon
-the Hyundai Genesis (coupe + sedan)
-the Buick Regal

Was this a one-month spike as production wound down, or was it a consistent number over the past year?

[3.0L V6]

I really do not know what happened behind the scenes, but the problem with Mercury is that it had no room to maneuver. They were stuck with unoriginal products and rebadges. The most successful product I can remember in recently history with some level of acclaim was the Cougar which despite its foibles, people loved.

It's like Pontiac. It lacked real original product and by the time it finally started getting some, the ship had already sailed. Some of the greatest tragedies in the automotive industry are the loss of some of its great icons.

Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury, and Plymouth (ya I said it).

Great history. Some great cars. Too bad.

To my knowledge, only mostly US-based brands have been wound down. Sure, some of these models had some presence outside of North America, but that influence was minimal. The distinctions between brands before have faded considerably to the point that mainstream and luxury brands cover most of the market spectrum, save for ultra-sport or ultra-luxury brands.

[FoMoJo]

I still get nostalgic whenever I see a 49-51 Mercury.

Kind of a shame but pretty much inevitable.  In thinking of the last Mercury that was distinctive, from its corporate cousins that is, one would have to go back to 1960 when they still had engines that were unique from the Ford; unless you include the Euro Capri and the Villager Van.

[ifcar]

Was this a one-month spike as production wound down, or was it a consistent number over the past year?

A little better than usual (though most cars' Decembers were better than usual). Total 2010 sales were about 29k, with 3,300 in December, which is still better than many of the cars on my list.

And the fleet-only Crown Victoria sold even better.

[Colin]

There did not seem to be many Grand Marquis in the Hertz fleet lately, so I guess that they may have taken the opportunity to stock up (allegedly some customers still want the car, even if rather more want almost anything but a Grand Marquis)........ wonder if there will be a last gasp of Crown Vics added to the fleets during 2011 before the Panther platform finally bites the dust in August 2011?

[cawimmer430]

Another brand with HISTORY AND HERITAGE down the drain. 

[hounddog]

Last month, it outsold (among others):

-every Lincoln
-every Volkswagen but the Jetta
-the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger
-the Toyota Avalon
-the Hyundai Genesis (coupe + sedan)
-the Buick Regal

The population is aging, and these cars providfed everything the aging population loves;
Soft ride.
A feel of genuine luxury.
A belief that size equals luxury.
Reasonable power.
Acceptable economy to people with higher disposable funds.
The last bastion of "yesteryear" engineering, something they are familiar with.
Styling they can relate to.

Car companies continue to market for young people in every single vehicle segment, however, the population is not as young as the industry believes anymore.  It will be interesting to see where these buyers turn.

I am guessing the Caprice will make a hard run in the US since it fits most of the above catagories.

[cawimmer430]

I'm going to miss their gorgeous 1970s offerings. 









God I want one of these. It can function as my car and my living room! 

[hounddog]

My uncle actually had the last one, in the same color.

It had a 460 engine, a A/C compressor that was no less than a foot long and six inches diameter, but, got about 6 mpg.



That car was AWESOME!

[2o6]

The population is aging, and these cars providfed everything the aging population loves;
Soft ride.
A feel of genuine luxury.
A belief that size equals luxury.
Reasonable power.
Acceptable economy to people with higher disposable funds.
The last bastion of "yesteryear" engineering, something they are familiar with.
Styling they can relate to.

Car companies continue to market for young people in every single vehicle segment, however, the population is not as young as the industry believes anymore.  It will be interesting to see where these buyers turn.

I am guessing the Caprice will make a hard run in the US since it fits most of the above catagories.

Those people are dying. The new old people want something that is still soft, but no where near as under engineered or floaty. The Camry, ES, and Lacrosse seem to be filling that gap nicely.

[hounddog]

You do realize the US population is aging, right?

[2o6]

You do realize the US population is aging, right?

Yes, and the new old people seem to be moving away from that style of car.

[Colin]

With the imminent death of the Buick Lucerne as well, I guess the loyal Grand Marquis customers will all have to turn to the Toyota Avalon?

[CJ]

Hyundai has their Azera, which sort of competes with the Avalon.  The Avalon is a bit pricey, however.

[2o6]

With the imminent death of the Buick Lucerne as well, I guess the loyal Grand Marquis customers will all have to turn to the Toyota Avalon?

Avalon, Azera, Lacrosse, Taurus?, Impala.

[CALL_911]

Yes, and the new old people seem to be moving away from that style of car.

This

[2o6]

This

Right here. Is My. Swag.

[hounddog]

Yes, and the new old people seem to be moving away from that style of car.

This

Does your combined age even equal mine?

Somehow, I suspect your not exactly "up" on what older Americans are looking for on cars.

[ifcar]

If any significant number of older Americans were looking for space-inefficient V8 rear-drive relics, Ford wouldn't have pulled the plug on the last ones available.

[2o6]

Does your combined age even equal mine?

Somehow, I suspect your not exactly "up" on what older Americans are looking for on cars.

No, but our parents are. His parents drive BMW and Audis, mine are looking at small-midsized CUV's.

[CJ]

No, but our parents are. His parents drive BMW and Audis, mine are looking at small-midsized CUV's.

My dad wants a Cooper S and my mom wants a Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track.  Both 6-speed.


My mom is 50 and my dad turns 50 in March.

[Cookie Monster]

Does your combined age even equal mine?

Somehow, I suspect your not exactly "up" on what older Americans are looking for on cars.

For some reason I feel that the people who were looking for those things you listed in cars died in the '90's.

My dad is your age (or older, probably) and he wants to get a Tacoma.

[MX793]

Holy crap! They still made the Grand Marquis?!

What did you think the elderly who couldn't afford a Town Car started buying once the Crown Vic became fleet-only?

[hounddog]

If any significant number of older Americans were looking for space-inefficient V8 rear-drive relics, Ford wouldn't have pulled the plug on the last ones available.

29k in 09, 3,300 last month.
Significant numbers.

No, but our parents are. His parents drive BMW and Audis, mine are looking at small-midsized CUV's.

I was being smart, but, my point is valid. 

And, I would not consider myself "older" yet. 

The people who are buying those, in general, are over 55.   

The point is; older people want luxury, not sporty luxury like the BMW 5.   My dad is a fine example; 68 and still has a love for big cars.  He will be around for another 15 to 20 years (I hope) and will probably buy four or more cars in that time.

They will all be big cars. 

[hounddog]

For some reason I feel that the people who were looking for those things you listed in cars died in the '90's.

My dad is your age (or older, probably) and he wants to get a Tacoma.

You would be wrong.

No one who is old wants an econo-box or smaller car.  Why?

Ease of use and comfort.  Big, soft riding cars are simply more comfortable and is simply not going to age, as is true for older people just want to enjoy the drive rather than the race and not all can afford a 7 series. 

Which is why I believe the Caprice will do well here should they chose to bring it over.