One of the more unusual collections headed for Monterey this summer is the Nick Alexander Collection. A well-known Los Angeles car dealer, Alexander amassed what is considered one of the world's finest collections of pre- and post-war wood-bodied wagons. He even built a restoration shop near of one his dealers just to work on the various cars over the years.
In August, RM Auctions will offer 52 different vehicles from the collection, all with no reserves. In other words, if you've always wanted a classic woody and you have the cash, this is the chance of a lifetime.
With what passes for winter in Southern California quickly fading and summer fast approaching, it's time for the annual Fabulous Fords Forever show in Buena Park, California. This year not only marks the 24th anniversary of the show itself, but also the 45th anniversary of the Mustang, the 50th anniversary of the Galaxie and the 70th anniversary of Mercury.
Although Mustangs make up a fair bit of the cars in attendance, don't think this is a one model show. With an expected attendance approaching 2,000 vehicles, from Pintos to Panteras, if Ford had something to do with it, you're likely to find an example of it parked on the grounds.
Mark your calendars for April 19th, and set aside a good half day to soak in all the hydrocarbons and hot dogs you can handle.
J.D. Power's latest dependability study, which surveys the first three years of ownership, says Buick and Jaguar owners experience the fewest problems. Lexus, Toyota and Mercury rounded out the top five.
The single most dependable model was the Lexus LS 430. Toyota had the most segment winners with five (Highlander, Prius, Sequoia, Solara and Tundra).
There were a few other interesting pieces of information contained in the report. The average age of a used vehicle trade-in has risen from 65 to 73 months in the last three years. J.D. Power also said that overall problems have decreased at a rate of 10% a year since the beginning of the study.
You may have already seen the sales totals for December, and 2008 as a whole. If not, here's a summary: not good. For a more detailed look, check out the industry wide 2008 sales analysis over at AutoObserver.
We assembled something a little different though. Instead of assessing the big picture, we looked at the sales numbers for individual models. Which new models flopped, which old models recovered, that sort of thing. Some of the results we expected, others were a little more eye opening. See for yourself after the jump.
In what could be the first indication that the Mercury brand is about disappear, Ford has confirmed to Inside Line that the Sable will axed this spring.
As you know the Sable, like all Mercury models, is merely a clone of some other existing Ford model. Sales are down 21 percent this year, which is the reason for its dismissal, so says a Ford spokesman.
Everyone knows GM and Ford have too many models, too many brands, too many dealers, too many of just about everything and anything one can think of. So might this financial mess be a blessing in disguise? Might this be just the impetius for the General and Ford to do what just about everyone thinks should be done: Shed--not just some of their excess models--but instead shed some of their excess brands?
AutoObserver seems to think that this could be in the cards, as the market just can't support so many redundant brands. Put them out of their misery. Make them extinct, just like the Woolly Mammoth and countless other critters that have ceased to have a reason to exist.
At GM, Pontiac, Buick, Saturn, GMC and Saab certainly all fall into that category. Might we see a lean and mean General Motors consisting of just Chevrolet and Cadillac, with maybe leaving Buick strictly for China?
And Ford? Might this be the time to cut Mercury; and maybe even cut Lincoln loose, by replacing it with Volvo?
If GM and Ford are going to do this, now is the best time to do so.
Cast aside in the corner, the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid sure played second fiddle to its Ford Fusion Hybrid sibling today during the Blue Oval's L.A. show press conference.
Jim Farley, Ford's group VP of marketing and communications, confidently said, "With Fusion and Milan, Ford will become the number-one producer of hybrids in America."
That's all the love the Milan Hybrid received as the spotlight shone brightly on the Fusion. -- Kelly Toepke, News Editor
Since they have about $1.38 in available cash these days, Ford passed on doing separate press conferences for Lincoln, Mercury and the Blue Oval. Instead, they did one all together -- problem was, they weren't all on the same stage. As we sat there staring at the enormous Ford stage, this disembodied voice started speaking. We could see the teleprompter, but no promptee. Ford had called the auto show equivalent of an audible and started its 2010 Lincoln MKZ press conference over the gathered media's right shoulder at the Lincoln area (which moments earlier was the hors d'oeuvres station).
Anyway, I managed to get over there in time to hear the presentation and snap a few photos. The refreshed 2010 Lincoln MKZ now looks much less like a rebadged Fusion taking multiple design cues from the MKS (customers have apparently identified the split grille as "Lincolnesque"). In particular, the tail doesn't seem to be as high, lending a sleeker appearance. The interior is much richer-looking than the outgoing retro cabin and is a spitting image of the MKS.
There wasn't much mention of Mercury at the press conference, just the new Milan Hybrid sadly sitting in a corner. -- James Riswick, Edmunds.com Automotive Editor
The news of the Sable possibly being dropped is no surprise; same with the Taurus X. I must say, however, the Taurus X has had one of the shortest product lifespans of any recent vehicle that I can think of.
"The Taurus X doesn't really have much of a place anymore," said Erich Merkle of Crowe Chizek and Co.
"The Sable is a good enough car, but it doesn't really matter because they don't sell enough of them to make a difference."
More news on what Ford has in store for the Mercury brand is starting to trickle out. The brand will offer smaller entry-level premium cars and crossovers that will complement the Lincoln brand.
Rumors had been that Ford was going to eliminate the Mercury brand and give Lincoln more models. Dealers protested, pointing out that Mercury brings a different demographic into the showroom than any other Ford brand.
"Mercury brings a younger, more female customer than the Ford brand. We're focusing (Mercury) very much on small, fuel-efficient products," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's global product chief.
Mercury may be taking a page from arguably the most famous ad campaign ever, the Doyle, Dane Bernback VW "Think Small" ad from 1959. With no future new products slated coming from American Ford plants, Mercury could become the one-stop-shop for small Euro-Ford cars. At least that's what The New York Times is suggesting here.
We'll have a better idea Thursday as that's when Ford is going to lay out revised product plans, and how Mercury fits into that picture.
So, anyone placing any bets here? Do you think this could be Mercury's (Merkur's?) savior?
Every now and then I stop by Hemming Auto Blogs to see what's going on with old cars. Today I saw an entry on vintage Canadian cars, more specifically on Canadian Fords and Mercurys.
For those too young to remember, beginning back in 1946 and running through the 1960s Fords and Mercurys sold in Canada were badged differently than those here in the USA. I believe Lincolns were the same on both sides of the border, however.
A Canadian Ford was called a Meteor. Canadian Mercurys were called Monarchs and Canadian Ford trucks were sold as Mercury trucks. Not only was the badging different but so too was the styling. Ford was not alone here as GM and Chrysler also had their own Canadian-specific models.
Inside Line has learned that Mercury will disappear by 2012. While not officially announced by Ford Motor Company, word has leaked out from sources that supply the brand. Apparently there are no new products planned beyond that date. In fact Straightline mentioned that last month (Mercury fading fast)...
As you know, Straightline has posted two recent blogs on Mercury's future (Jerry York would like to sell Mercury) (Mercury fading fast) which looks pretty grim. Now word is out that Mercury dealers are also very worried as to what might happen with the brand.
There was to have been a meeting in April in Las Vegas between Mercury dealers and Ford management to discuss that very topic, that being Mercury's future. The meeting was canceled according to dealers by Ford...
That's the response by virtually everyone who has heard the latest comments from Kirk Kerkorian's point man, Jerry York. York thinks Ford should sell both Mercury and Volvo. I suppose you could make a case—although a very weak one—for selling Volvo, but selling Mercury?..
While doing my daily news search, I saw that Carspace's Alternate Route had an entry up on Mercury's future, or lack-there-of. May 19, 2008 - A Star Fades?
The source of inspiration for AR's blog entry was a Chicago Tribune article (here). Despite Ford's denial, the future for this brand looks pretty bleak, as there really isn't anything new planned.
"The Ford party line is that Mercury has a bright future, but we can't see any future for them," analyst Aaron Bragman of industry forecaster Global Insight said...
Here are two bits of information we know for sure – Ford will build the Flex for 2009, it will have the option of a Sony stereo. Here’s an early look at how the new audio system works.
This Flex is not a production model but Ford says the interior will remain as it’s seen here. This Flex has a navigation system, hard drive with Gracenote software and the Sony audio system...
We already knew Ford would begin using Sirius Travel Link but here's a look at how the system will actually work. In addition to weather forcasts you can get sports scores, movie listing and gas prices. Seveal aftermarket nav systems already offer these features - as usual, this factory installed version is better looking and well integrated into the vehicle. In this case, it's a Ford Edge - Brian Moody, Road Test Editor...
The Microsoft/Ford Sync system just became a must have safety feature. Until now, Sync was a clever and useful point of connection for digital media players and Bluetooth enabled phones - mostly fun stuff. Now, they've taken the feature well beyond fun. Some of the details were part of a CES keynote speech featuring Microsoft's Bill Gates.
The first, and probably most important - Sync will dial 911 should your car be involved in an accident and the airbags deploy. Sound familiar?..
Ford is removing all national TV ads and other traditional advertising venues from Mercury, thus feeding the speculation as to how long the brand will be around. Instead advertising funds will be directed towards online and dealership advertising.
Mercury sales are down 7 percent from last year, and there are no new models in the pipeline once the Milan is facelifted for the 2009 model year.
Mercury spokesman Mark Schirmer states: “a directional thing that we’ve been working on for awhile, reshaping how we use the same pot” of marketing money...
The good news is that the Chrysler-Cerberus is now official, as papers to that effect were signed by all parties on Friday. The new company's name is Chrysler LLC, and Monday they are going to reveal an updated version of the old Pentastar logo.
There's a lot of excitement here as most everyone close to the situation thinks this will be a great opportunity for all involved. Key to success here is that they have to move fast, and don't screw anything up, as there's no room (or time) for mistakes...
Finally some good news for Ford as the Mustang, Lincoln MKZ and the Mercury Milan all get top scores from the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study. Other winners are the Porsche Boxster and Kia Rio.
Specifically the winners of those listed are:
Compact Premium Sportycar: The 2007 Porsche Boxster
Midsize Sporty Car: The 2007 Ford Mustang
Midsize Car: The 2007 Mercury Milan which beat out such competitors as the Honda Accord and Mitsubishi Galant
Entry Premium Car: The 2007 Lincoln MKZ, which was ahead of the Acura TSX and the Cadillac CTS
Subcompact Car: The Kia Rio
Power noted that 14 Ford models placed in the top three of the respective segments...
A couple of themes immediately jump out on this first press day of the Chicago auto show. Much of the buzz is around car names. It started with Ford renaming the Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego and the Ford Freestyle as the Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable and Ford Taurus X, respectively. The pros and cons of Ford's move were debated...
The press preview day of the Chicago auto show is only a few hours old and yet, we've already heard every possible joke about Ford renaming its Five Hundred, Freestyle and Montego to Taurus, Taurus X and Sable. We've even told a few ourselves.
So we're overjoyed to bring you an exclusive to Inside Line's Straightline blog: The Mercury Montego, er, Sable can drive on water! Oh sure, Ford marketing guy, Cisco Codina, pretended as if he didn't notice, but there it was on the show stand...
Caught just weeks before its expected debut at the 2007 Chicago auto show, this 2008 Mercury Montego prototype reveals a facelift of minor proportions. The grille is slightly different and the air dam is deeper, but we don't expect an average buyer would even notice the changes. Under the hood is where the real upgrades lie, as we expect the Montego will get the same 3.5-liter V6 as the 2008 Ford Five Hundred along with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The 2008 Mercury Mariner has just been announced, and will go on sale early in 2007. Here's Inside Line's report.
Besides the new face-lifted styling, it receives refinements to help reduce interior NVH levels by 12 percent. In addition, chassis upgrades and new Electric Power Steering (EPS) system improve Mariner’s car-like ride and handling without sacrificing off-road ability...
As expected, this week's issue of Automotive News features a considerable amount of info on Ford's future product plans, but since most of that info was covered late last week we'll focus elsewhere for now. Probably the most interesting piece of information came from Scion.
The Secret Service staff protecting former President Clinton will have a new weapon(?) at their disposal: A new Mercury Mariner hybrid, outfitted for their needs. More info here.
Snippet: "I'm happy to have a fuel efficient vehicle to do my part and I'd like to thank Ford Motor Co. for this," Clinton said in a statement...
While it's expected that overall Ford sales will be down in April, that's not the case with the Ford Escape hybrid and Mercury Mariner hybrid, as their sales are up 50% in April. So far it looks like these two models are couple of Ford's "Better Ideas."
Snippet: Reuters reported that Ford Motor Co. said on Monday that U.S. sales of its hybrid vehicles rose 50 percent to nearly 2,800 last month, boosted by aggressive incentives...
The Mercury Montego hasn't exactly been lighting up the sales charts since its debut last year. Looks like help is on the way in the form of a mild refresh for the front and rear fascias. We also expect to see the Montego get the same 250 horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 as the 2007 Lincoln MKZ.
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 2006 was named Green Car of the Year by the Green Car Journal. That's all well and dandy, but why didn't the mechanically identical Ford Escape Hybrid also share the award?
Additional information on the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid can be found on Green Car Journal Online, at www.greencar.com.
Following hot on the heals of GM's restructuring plan, Ford's plan appears to be equally tough. 25,000 to 30,000 workers will be eliminated and at least 10 factories will close.
This plan will be officially announced on Jan. 23, will take five years
to accomplish, and will affect all levels of the company...
Mercury, the brand that launched the Cougar, indeed must have nine
lives, as it once again survived the corporate guillotine. Even so, you
gotta wonder—why is this brand so important to Ford Motor Company? Is
it just corporate pride? Would dropping the brand be just another symbol of another
American carmaker that cannot longer compete in the global market?..
Well, that's something that would never have crossed my mind! Is Mercury targeting the female audience? And is it working? Apparently so according to this article...
