Company overview
Merkur was a North American automobile brand produced by Ford Motor Company from 1985 to 1989. It was created in response to the increasing popularity of European-styled vehicles in North America during the early 1980s. Ford adapted existing models from its German division, Ford Werke AG-Cologne, to meet American safety and emissions standards. The brand offered two models: the XR4Ti hatchback and the Scorpio hatchback. The XR4Ti, introduced in 1985, was based on the Ford Sierra XR4i and featured a turbocharged engine. The Scorpio, introduced in 1987, was an extended-wheelbase version of the Ford Sierra and competed with luxury sedans. Sales of both models were consistently below projected levels, hampered by exchange rate fluctuations and the cost of bringing vehicles into compliance with North American safety regulations. Ford discontinued Merkur in 1989, citing the need for costly redesigns to meet passive restraint requirements.
