Mercury to rise in Canada again?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/02/2003 (8302 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TWO Mercury models revealed this week at the Chicago auto show are not currently scheduled to come to Canada, but officials at Ford of Canada are actively considering changing that situation.

Those models are the Monterey, a minivan that will be built alongside its Ford Freestar sibling in Ford’s Oakville factory, and the Montego, a sedan that’s supposed to have a large car’s interior in a mid-size exterior.

Mercury was officially killed off by Ford of Canada a couple of years back, but the Oakville-based firm has decided to consider each new model bearing the brand on a case-by-case basis to see if they can help generate sales. Last year they decided to import the Marauder sports-sedan, for example.

There will certainly be things for them to consider. Mercury rolled out a Mountaineer SUV last year and will have the Monterey on the road this fall. Montego and a small SUV will arrive in 2004 as 2005 models, and then there’ll be another, unspecified model in 2005 as a 2006.

Previously, Mercury models were mostly Fords with new badges and some minor cosmetic tweaks, but the marque’s current management team plans to distance itself from the blue oval marque.

Given Canada’s appreciation for the minivan form, it seems likely that the Monterey would have a pretty good chance of making the cut with Oakville.

With front- or all-wheel-drive, Montego might as well, since this country also has a pretty good appetite for mid-size sedans, though that market is pretty much owned by Honda with its Accord, Toyota with its Camry, and GM by a chain of different models.

Ford has done well in this segment previously, but the Taurus has lost its edge. The company has high hopes for the new Five Hundred model, however, and its Freestyle wagon/SUV sibling, which are due out next year.

Montego and Five Hundred will share architecture and they’ll be larger than their Sable and Taurus stable mates.

Monterey will be pitched to Americans as something more upscale than your traditional minivan, with the “interior luxury, expressive design and functionality generally reserved for a luxury sedan.” Here in Canada, that would likely mean it would come onto the market at $40,000 or more.

Monterey has an exterior look that’s different from Ford’s Freestar, and will come with optional heated and cooled front sets, front and rear parking aids, a “well-crafted” instrument panel, and a standard 4.2-litre V6 with the most torque in the minivan segment — 265 lb-ft.

“Monterey begins to define the design path Mercury is taking,” says Susan Pacheco, director of Mercury programs. “This new minivan delivers elegance and energy, distinct Mercury cues and intelligent functionality that consumers will love.”

Pacheco says the new Monterey is “aimed squarely at the buyer who is in his or her 30s to mid-40s and needs the functionality of a minivan, but is not willing to compromise on luxury.”

On top of the luxury attitude, Mercury claims that Monterey “takes minivan safety, quality and versatility to a new level” with improvements including:

* A standard folding third row seat can be neatly stored in the vehicle’s floor when not in use, freeing space and creating a completely flat load floor.

* The second row captain’s chairs are easily moved out of the way with one pull of a lever, and they are fore/aft and rake- adjustable for comfort. For maximum cargo capacity, they can be removed without tools.

* Monterey’s heated and cooled front seats are exclusive in the minivan segment, Pacheco says, and they are linked with the dual-zone climate control system.

* There are dozens of innovative, discrete storage features, including the large third-seat storage bin, holders for 20-ounce bottles and dual map pockets stacked vertically in the front doors, storage bins in the sliding doors, and a covered storage compartment for small items on top of the instrument panel.

* Monterey’s instrument panel has what Pacheco calls an exceptional quality of fit and finish, along with an analog clock, and wood grain or satin aluminum trim.

* Forward and reverse object-sensing system to detect objects in front of and behind the vehicle and to assist negotiation of distances while parking.

* A premium audio system with 140 watts of power and in-dash six-disc CD changer is available, as is a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

* Monterey offers a segment-exclusive Safety Canopy curtain air-bag system that enhance protection for passengers in all three rows during certain kinds of side impacts and rollovers.

* The AdvanceTrac stability control system uses seven sensors to continually check the vehicle’s path compared to the driver’s intent and will intervene to keep the vehicle going the intended way, which is particularly effective in slippery conditions or during emergency handling manoeuvres.

* Large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution are standard, and AdvanceTrac-equipped models also have panic brake assist, which can help reduce stopping distances in an abrupt stop.

If Monterey sounds appealing, consumers would be well advised to contact a Ford dealer or Ford of Canada directly and tell them.

–DIL Auto News Service

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