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Mercury is a brand of the Ford Motor Company launched in 1938 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, to market entry-level luxury cars slotted between Ford-branded regular models and Lincoln-branded luxury vehicles, similar to General Motors' Buick (and former Oldsmobile) brand, and Chrysler's DeSoto division. From 1945 to 2011, Mercury was half of the Lincoln-Mercury division of Ford; however, for the 1958-1960 model years, the Lincoln-Mercury division was known as Lincoln-Edsel-Mercury with the inclusion of the Edsel brand. Through rebadging, the majority of Mercury models were based on Ford platforms. The name "Mercury" is derived from the messenger of the gods of Roman mythology, and during its early years, the Mercury brand was known for performance, which was briefly revived in 2003 with the Mercury Marauder. The brand was sold in the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Middle East. In 1999, the Mercury brand was dropped in Canada, although the Grand Marquis was still marketed there wearing a Mercury badge through 2007. The Mercury brand was phased out in 2011 as Ford Motor Company refocused its marketing and engineering efforts on the Ford and Lincoln brands. Production of Mercury vehicles ceased in the fourth quarter of 2010. The final Mercury automobile, a Grand Marquis, rolled off the assembly line on January 4, 2011. ==History== During the mid-1930s, despite the continuing success of its new V8-powered models, Ford Motor Company was in danger of being left at a competitive disadvantage to both of its largest competitors. While General Motors and upstart Chrysler Corporation both had a comprehensive line of brands (in terms of price), by 1935, Ford sold only its namesake brand and the cars of Lincoln Motor Company. Aside from the Cadillac V-16, the Lincoln Model K was one of the most expensive vehicles in the United States. In 1933, Chevrolet had used the Mercury name on a passenger car called the Chevrolet Mercury as a lower-priced alternative to the 1933 Chevrolet Confederate. The name was used only for 1933, after which it was renamed the Chevrolet Standard for 1934. From 1936 to 1939, Ford would introduce several different models; all were intended to bridge the massive price gap between the highest-trim V8 Ford and the base model of the V12 Lincoln. In 1936, Lincoln introduced the Lincoln-Zephyr. A standardized and far more modern body than the Model K allowed for a much lower price, opening Lincoln to compete directly with the Cadillac LaSalle brand. Inside Ford, there was debate whether a medium-priced car should be a Ford model or a new marque entirely. Eventually, the company took both approaches. For 1938, Ford introduced the De Luxe Ford model line; it was largely differentiated from the standard V8 Ford by upscale trim and a distinct hood and grille. For 1939, the Mercury was introduced. Started as a distinct company in 1937 by Edsel Ford, Mercury was chosen from over 100 potential model and marque names. The designs of the new car (referred to as the "Mercury Eight") were done by E.T. 'Bob' Gregorie. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mercury (automobile)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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