At this time there is no Mercury vehicle that currently exists which isn’t a mild rebadge of a Ford product. While we have had hints of new models wearing the Blue Oval badge, not a peep has been provided regarding future Mercury products.

While the Mariner and Milan could arguably justify their positions in Ford’s lineup, the Sable, Grand Marquis and Mountaineer seem completely irrelevant. Many of us know that a mere two model is not enough to sustain and warrant an entire brand.

At this time Ford has not made any official announcement as to the fate of Mercury - but we can only assume that it will happen soon. Ford just doesn’t have enough money to keep the brand going.

ShareThis

Ford also has sent letters to about 100 recent college graduates who had been offered jobs, telling them that their hiring would be deferred indefinitely. Ford is offering the would-be employees $5,000 to compensate them for their troubles. “The vast majority of the offers are being deferred,” Ford spokeswoman Marcey Evans confirmed Thursday, declining to say precisely how many. “It’s not across the board.”

Ford is making these cost-cutting actions in the face of a suffering U.S. economy, which has resulted in an industrywide sales decline and an unprecedented consumer shift out of pickups and SUVs — which are highly profitable to automakers — to fuel-efficient cars. In an e-mail obtained by the Free Press, Mark Fields, Ford’s president of the Americas, said the company aims to have its salaried-related costs reduced by Aug. 1.

“This unfortunately will result in involuntary separations of Ford employees and agency personnel, as well as cost savings through attrition and the consolidation of open positions,” he said. “We won’t know the exact number of job reductions until each function examines its business needs and determines how best to meet their specific cost-reduction target.”

News of the 15% salaried-cost cuts was first reported Wednesday morning on www.freep.com. Ford has 23,400 salaried employees, down 32% from 2005, when the company started restructuring. The percentage of jobs eliminated under this new cost-cutting round will likely vary by department, Ford spokesman Mark Truby said.

Fields also told employees in the e-mail that several other actions would also be taken. Pay raises would be delayed in the United States and Canada from July 1 to Oct. 1, he said. The company is also suspending tuition and scholarship programs for employees and capping life insurance at $25,000. The changes represent Ford’s latest revision of the company’s Way Forward turnaround plan, which was first announced in January 2006. It was revamped later that year, in September, as high gas prices began encouraging consumers to shift toward cars.

On May 22, Ford Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally said the automaker would need to intensify the turnaround plan yet again because of increasing weakness in the U.S. economy and an ever-quickening consumer shift toward cars. Mulally also said the company would not meet its profitability goal in 2009 because of large cuts in the production of trucks, and he warned that more cost cutting, including involuntary layoffs of white-collar workers, would be necessary. The automaker has said that employees who are dismissed will be offered standard severance packages, which are based on years of service and other factors.

ShareThis

It looks like the Fiesta will be made south of the border. The extremely low cost of labor in Mexico makes building inexpensive economy cars there a no-brainer, and Ford’s Cuatitlan plant already builds the current Euro Fiesta and a Fiesta-based vehicle for the Mexico/Brazil markets.

The Fiesta is scheduled to appear Stateside by 2010, but with the radical shift towards smaller, more efficient vehicles. Yet, we wouldn’t be surprised if Ford bumped up that timeline.

ShareThis

The Camry alone is even doing better than the Chevy Silverado – which is the second bestselling vehicle next to the F-Series. In fact, the Silverado suffered a sales drop of 24.7 percent to 37,231 units while the Camry grabbed 40,016 sales in the same month.

Still, even after the Camry’s great sales month, the Silverado holds the edge when the entire year-to-date sales numbers are compiled, and the F Series still sits atop the list for now. Yet, we will not be surprised to see the F-Series receive a new look for the next model year. Unless some miracle happens and the gas prices are lowered.

ShareThis

The technology injects fuel into the cylinders while the intakes valves are open (normally they’re closed). In addition to the updated 5.4L V8, we also expect some Eco-boost powerplants to drop in the F-150 soon, though whether or not they debut with the new 2009 model isn’t known.

ShareThis

The modern day designs don’t share the same retro look as their early models. All of the modern Model T adaptations feature’s fairly sleek styling and alternative power that goes along with our modern day emissions and energy problems.

The design Trang designed is rather unique, with solar panels on the car along with energy capturing suspension design that would help recharge the on-board batteries.

These batteries can be removed to provide power outside the car. The modular seating arrangement allows for up to four people or allowing increased storage space.

ShareThis

The standard engine for the ST has been replaced with a turbocharged 2.5 liter that can push out 223 horsepower. Its six-speed stick allows the ST to accelerate from 0-62 in only 6.8 seconds. As if that wasn’t good to hear Ford went on to brag that the ST was also able to lap the Nordschleife in only 8:35.

The exterior of the vehicle is equipped with 18” wheels, is available in racing stripes, and comes with the standard body kit. The interior of the vehicle has been given a psh-button starter (for a fast getaway) and Recaro seating. There are three trim levels available and each one delivers a level of comfort. It is sad to think that the U.S. Focus may never get the looks or options that the Brits are getting to enjoy.

ShareThis

The “Black Magic” edition will come with 17” alloy wheels that have been mounted to a sport suspension, tinted headlights, and fog lamps. The interior of the vehicle will have black leather and will be bundled with a Bluetooth/MP3 compatible stereo, a wind deflector, and parking sensors. There will only be 1500 of the “Black Magic” car available in Europe. Consumers will have a choice between the 2 liter engine that runs on diesel or gasoline.

ShareThis

Jim Farley – Ford’s marketing boss – debuted the Raptor – which sported a Ford embossed front grille. In order to show the kind of power it has they brought along a video of it tearing through the desert.

The Raptor has been equipped with a 6.2 liter V8 “BOSS” engine that will produce 380 horsepower, maybe more. The long travel shocks for the Raptor have been given a full 12” of travel and were built by Fox Racing especially for this truck. Needless to say Ford is pumped up about the new F-150 Raptor and it seemed that the dealerships were just as happy about it.

ShareThis

That is why they have chosen to crash test one and then to display it and show off its five star frontal and side crash test ratings that it received from the National Highway Safety Administration.

Taurus is not just going to let you look at the exterior – but will give you a chance to sit inside and see for yourself how safe and untouched you would be if you were in an accident. This is definitely one of Ford’s better ideas and will help to settle any doubts consumers would have about buying one of their cars.

ShareThis