Mercury is the domestic automobile division of the Ford Motor Company. The Mercury brand is positioned as being more upscale than Ford. In the '30s, Edsel Ford saw an opportunity to create an additional brand within the Ford company to produce vehicles that would be large, stylish, modern and fill the price gap between Ford and premium Lincoln. He named the new division "Mercury", after the Roman mythological god. The 1939 Mercury Eight was the division's first car. It distinguished itself with a strong 95-horsepower engine that offered 10 more horses than the Ford V-8 and the industry's first two-spoke steering wheel. In 1939, the production of the Eight reached more than 17,000.

The year 1950 saw Mercury's highest production to date with 344,081 vehicles built. The '60s saw the introduction of Mercury's Comet and Meteor vehicles. The Comet was a compact luxury vehicle, while the Meteor was a full-size family car that reflected a trend toward more reasonably sized cars. Racetrack wins boosted sales of the Comet. In 1967, the iconic Mercury Cougar rolled out and became an icon with muscle-car fans. During the '70s, Mercury created vehicles like the Capri and the Bobcat that offered improved fuel efficiency. Mercury enjoyed success with the 1986 launch of the Sable, a fraternal twin to the Ford Taurus, whose sleek, aerodynamic lines helped in diminishing drag and improving fuel efficiency. Minivans and SUVs came into their own during the '90s, and Mercury made the most of these trends by introducing its minivan, the Villager, and the Mountaineer as SUV.

At present, Mercury vehicles are available in the United States, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Middle East. The Mercury brand today boasts of sedans, compact SUVs and station wagon that include the Mercury Grand Marquis, Mariner, Milan, Mountaineer and Sable.


Mercury Grand Marquis
The 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis (starting at $25,435) is a full-size six-passenger sedan and the flagship of the brand. Offered in two trim levels, it gets a standard V-8 engine that provides plenty of power and acceleration. It has a large trunk with 20.6 cubic feet of space. A new rear air suspension is available for the current year, while the Handling Package that increased power and improved handling has been eliminated.

Mercury Mariner
The Mercury Mariner (starting at $21,300) gets a complete makeover inside out for 2008. It gets a more striking and functional cabin and aggressive exterior design. The compact four-door SUV comes in three trim levels and two engine types - the inline-4 and V-6 engines.

Mercury Mariner Hybrid
The 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid (starting at $21,300) is a small SUV available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It is powered by a 2.3-liter gasoline engine working with electric motor/generators. The new standard AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control helps in staying connected to the road while you drive. A redesigned roof panel reduces wind noise.

Mercury Milan
The 2008 Mercury Milan ($19,095) is a midsize family sedan that offers a sporty ride, spacious cabin and distinct styling. Offered in two trim levels, the Milan clocks respectable fuel economy numbers. A keyless entry keypad is standard on the Milan for 2008. The Sync system and ambient lighting will be introduced later this year.

Mercury Mountaineer
The 2008 Mercury Mountaineer ($26,500) is a seven-passenger truck-based midsize SUV. A "Mercury Sync" system will make its debut later this year. This system will allow drivers to easily control cell phones, iPods and other electronic devices through voice commands and the vehicle's control inputs. The standard engine for both base and premier trim levels is a 4.0-liter V-6 that makes 210 horsepower.

Mercury Sable
All-new for 2008, the Mercury Sable ($23,935) is a full-size sedan available in two trim levels and a more powerful 260-horsepower V-6 engine. It blends smart features with a sophisticated new design. The Sable also offers a massive trunk capacity of 21 cubic feet.