The deal with Mercury in this country is that the executives at Ford of Canada consider each new model for possible sale here as they go onto the market in the U.S.
But even with the three new Mercurys covering different segments, the Oakville branch of the Detroit-based company has decided not to import any of the three offerings launched at the Chicago auto show.
There may not be enough room in the large SUV market for the Mountaineer even with its clever upgrades, but the 2006 Milan is a pretty cool looking car that might attract some attention in the overly staid mid-size sedan market, and the mid-size Mariner SUV has been given a hybrid powertrain and that should touch the green buttons that are supposed to be so hot these days.
Of course, if your heart just burns to own one of these Mercury models or indeed any others, if you meet certain requirements of Transport Canada you can buy one in the U.S. and bring it across the border. Check out the Registrar of Imported Vehicles at www.riv.ca for more details.
The Milan is essentially a twin of the Ford Fusion that debuted at the Detroit auto show in early January, so it is also based on an enlarged Mazda6 sedan platform.
It has a different look, however, and is meant to be more upscale than the Fusion, both in style and content, and appeal to a whole new generation of Mercury buyers.
Indeed, Mercury believes Milan will appeal to Gen-X buyers, as they are supposed to be looking for brands that are ''outside the mainstream,'' and you could certainly say that about Mercury.
The brand is indeed hoping to ''bond with young professionals,'' and the plan may actually be working since about 40 percent of its American buyers have never bought Ford or Mercury products before.
Milan is supposed to be accelerating Mercury's growth plan by adding an ''upscale and expressive, yet affordable, five-passenger mid-size sedan.'' It is the brand's new entry point and the first vehicle in this segment in a decade.
Milan is meant to appeal to ''new, younger customers by translating Mercury's new identity -- sophisticated design, stylish and functional interiors and rewarding, city-tuned driving traits -- into a spirited sedan entering one of the industry's most hotly contested segments.''
The new buyers that Mercury is chasing with Milan and its other models are supposed to have memories of spending time in the back of grandma's Grand Marquis when they were kids, though they are supposed to enjoy driving a Milan more.
Mariner Hybrid would presumably make the same connection with Gen-Xers looking to save the planet. It is after all Mercury's version of the Ford Escape Hybrid that is North American Truck of the Year.
The big news about the Mariner Hybrid is that Ford decided to build it a year ahead of its original schedule in response to ''growing customer interest in hybrid gasoline-electric propulsion.''
But even with the three new Mercurys covering different segments, the Oakville branch of the Detroit-based company has decided not to import any of the three offerings launched at the Chicago auto show.
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Of course, if your heart just burns to own one of these Mercury models or indeed any others, if you meet certain requirements of Transport Canada you can buy one in the U.S. and bring it across the border. Check out the Registrar of Imported Vehicles at www.riv.ca for more details.
The Milan is essentially a twin of the Ford Fusion that debuted at the Detroit auto show in early January, so it is also based on an enlarged Mazda6 sedan platform.
It has a different look, however, and is meant to be more upscale than the Fusion, both in style and content, and appeal to a whole new generation of Mercury buyers.
Indeed, Mercury believes Milan will appeal to Gen-X buyers, as they are supposed to be looking for brands that are ''outside the mainstream,'' and you could certainly say that about Mercury.
The brand is indeed hoping to ''bond with young professionals,'' and the plan may actually be working since about 40 percent of its American buyers have never bought Ford or Mercury products before.
 |
Milan is meant to appeal to ''new, younger customers by translating Mercury's new identity -- sophisticated design, stylish and functional interiors and rewarding, city-tuned driving traits -- into a spirited sedan entering one of the industry's most hotly contested segments.''
The new buyers that Mercury is chasing with Milan and its other models are supposed to have memories of spending time in the back of grandma's Grand Marquis when they were kids, though they are supposed to enjoy driving a Milan more.
 |
The big news about the Mariner Hybrid is that Ford decided to build it a year ahead of its original schedule in response to ''growing customer interest in hybrid gasoline-electric propulsion.''