Ford considering fate of Mercury brand after long decline in sales

Ford considering fate of Mercury brand

DETROIT — Mercury could soon be the latest Detroit car brand to disappear.

A person familiar with Ford Motor Co.’s plans says the company is assessing the future of Mercury, but that no final decision has been made.

During a trip to Washington to visit with lawmakers, Ford CEO Alan Mulally said the company has nothing new to announce. Mulally says the company is continually reviewing all its brands.

The 72-year-old Mercury brand has seen a slow decline since its peak in 1978. Currently its top-selling model is the Mercury Milan sedan, a twin of the Ford Fusion.

Bloomberg News first reported Thursday that Ford may kill the Mercury brand, citing unnamed sources.