http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/ Autoblog Comments for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury will be redesigned by 2010 http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/Jan 8th 2007 1:07AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/Jan 8th 2007 8:21AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/Jan 8th 2007 9:56AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/Jan 8th 2007 10:32AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/
That means that the 500 and Focus aren't part of their redesign. These cars were likely too far along for Mullaly to pull the plug on when he came in.]]>Jan 8th 2007 11:20AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/
First off, drop that stupid logo and come up with something that actually mean Mercury or says something more than the emblem they have now. After that, give it some decent styling that is not only different from Fords and Lincolns, but distinctive -- how is it that GM can make the Malibu, Aura and G6 look so much different from one another in their exterior design, but you can tell right away that the Milan shares quite a bit with the Fusion (and the MKZ/Zephyr to a lesser extent)?

Lastly, they need to change the image of the lineup. Dump the old-geezer image by slowly pulling away from the vehicles that are associated with the marque like the Grand Marquis. True, it's an old staple of the brand, but move away from it. Mercury should be upscale and distinctive from Ford, but also bring younger buyers into showrooms by giving them something different. You're not gonna do that by offers such conservatively styled products.

Lastly, if Mercury is to be viable and an alternative to Ford, then they need to give it more products to truly become a volume player. As Ford moves further downmarket with the Ford brand and will offer THREE B-segment vehicles, FoMoCo needs to give Mercury a version of the Focus that is distinctively a Mercury and will have it's own look inside and out. It certainly is doable. And now that Ford has decided to go a bit extreme with the Focus's look, a more upscale or conventional looking Focus should help them retain customers that are a bit turned off to the way the Focus has evolved for 2008.

Just a suggestion.]]>Jan 8th 2007 11:48AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/
I was impressed by the Ford presentations. They were more heartfelt and sincere than most at the show. As a result, I think the press might start pulling for the company more than it has been.

My full impressions of the first day of the show:

http://www.truedelta.com/pieces/naias1.php]]>Jan 8th 2007 1:03PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/Jan 8th 2007 5:03PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/It says I am driving a car that is long,large,sleek,
comfortable,powerful and very safe! It is not a small
version of a European design that calls itself a
luxury vehicle or a reworked truck that is called a
luxury vehicle. It is a true luxury vehicle...

Ford would do well to consider this in future designs
please don't bore me with the 1998 makeover that looks like a large Beetle, strangely the sharp lines of the 1985 to 1989 Town Car could influence new
"innovative" design. Sometimes it is helpful to look
back at a "Classic" and let it influence future design... ]]>Jan 8th 2007 5:13PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/
Mercury should be the up-scale Euro-styled line up that includes a Mercury Mondeo, a new Mercury Marauder (off the Interceptor) an up-scale mini van, and up-scale CUVs. Replace the aging Grand Marquee with a new RWD 4 door sedan but with broad choice in power to include diesel hybrids.

Lincoln should build the MKR immediately, restyle the Town Car to the new theme but retain the big luxo cruiser position and use in livery and limosines. Need a new Mark XI and build the Continental concept.

Three distinct yet complementary divisions which can sharre some underpinnings but no body panels.]]>Jan 8th 2007 6:49PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/Jan 8th 2007 8:00PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/
I don't believe Mercury needs to be a high volume seller to be successful, but they need to have a better niche than badge engineered Ford.]]>Jan 8th 2007 8:55PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/
Chrysler did this, then GM, and now Ford.

The cycle is that when companies are doing well, gradually the "car" people get pushed out (overlooked for expected promotions is the usual route; or they leave to friendlier companies). Then a bunch of financial people get in control (like Chryler now) and you get a short term jump in profits (amazing everyone, again like Chryler) and suddenly it starts to come apart as the competition zooms past them and they act like they just can't understand what is going on -- usually then start closing plants etc (blaming the market or consumers for "changing"). The final step is usually when the Shareholder suddenly see their stock plummetting and the company goes into crisis.]]>Jan 8th 2007 11:02PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/Jan 12th 2007 4:24AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/08/ford-lincoln-and-mercury-will-be-redesigned-by-2010/
This really is a lovely start though... I don't know about a solid rear though... that's an odd segment to chase down unless ford's only interested in securing the taxi and cop markets... maybe they're hoping to price-undercut the 300 model-for-model... now that would be a real angle...]]>Jan 17th 2007 10:55AM