What Ails Mercury's Mariner Hybrid?

hb06 · 11-22-2006, 01:53 AM

Hybrid Owners of America Blog

"Tuesday, November 21, 2006:Here's a puzzle for you: Why is the Mercury Mariner hybrid -- which the New York Times has called perhaps "the first great American vehicle of the 21st century" -- languishing when it comes to auto sales? In an article entitled "Not All Hybrids are Hot," Autoweek points out that only about 2,000 of the Mariner hybrids have been sold so far this year."

"Nearly dead in the water is the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, which sits on dealer lots an average of 74 days -- longest of all hybrids, according to Power Information Network."

"The Mariner's sibling, the Ford Escape Hybrid, is having a better year, with sales up 23.5 percent through October to 16,304 and a respectable 27 days on dealer lots."

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...007/1024/STATIC

mtndriver · 12-11-2006, 08:35 PM

When is the last time you saw an advertisement for a Mercury Mariner? Without a push, who would go to a Lincoln dealer to buy a Hybrid?

I just bought a 2007 a couple of weeks ago to keep my 2006 Prius company. Nice car and LOTS less than the Highlander (but still about the price of a Prius!). Lincoln/Mercury salesmen don't have a clue about Hybrids...I hope the mechanics do!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(HBO6 @ Nov 21 2006, 10:53 PM) [snapback]352924[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hybrid Owners of America Blog

"Tuesday, November 21, 2006:Here's a puzzle for you: Why is the Mercury Mariner hybrid -- which the New York Times has called perhaps "the first great American vehicle of the 21st century" -- languishing when it comes to auto sales? In an article entitled "Not All Hybrids are Hot," Autoweek points out that only about 2,000 of the Mariner hybrids have been sold so far this year."

"Nearly dead in the water is the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, which sits on dealer lots an average of 74 days -- longest of all hybrids, according to Power Information Network."

"The Mariner's sibling, the Ford Escape Hybrid, is having a better year, with sales up 23.5 percent through October to 16,304 and a respectable 27 days on dealer lots."

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...007/1024/STATIC
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**TonyPSchaefer** · 12-12-2006, 12:04 AM

I've said it before and I'll say it again, "it's refreshing to hear Mercury admitting that no one has them on their list of cars to look at."

Clearly, when they say, "you've got to put Mercury on your list" they are recognizing that they are not on your list. To say that to one or two people is one thing; to say that to all of the United States is - as far as I'm concerned - pretty reveling.

enviroprius · 05-09-2007, 11:03 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Dec 12 2006, 12:04 AM) [snapback]360784[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I've said it before and I'll say it again, "it's refreshing to hear Mercury admitting that no one has them on their list of cars to look at."

Clearly, when they say, "you've got to put Mercury on your list" they are recognizing that they are not on your list. To say that to one or two people is one thing; to say that to all of the United States is - as far as I'm concerned - pretty reveling.
[/b]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Dec 12 2006, 12:04 AM) [snapback]360784[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I've said it before and I'll say it again, "it's refreshing to hear Mercury admitting that no one has them on their list of cars to look at."

Clearly, when they say, "you've got to put Mercury on your list" they are recognizing that they are not on your list. To say that to one or two people is one thing; to say that to all of the United States is - as far as I'm concerned - pretty reveling.
[/b]

Absolutely! When was the last time you talked to someone and they said..."I have to get to my Lincoln/Mercury dealer to check out that _______" You just don't hear it.

I think they are on the right track though. And with their new 2008 Mariner Hybrid, I expect them to sell many more than with the previous model. I also think their sales were slow because they only offered the Hybrid in 4WD before. I think the'll get more people looking at the new model because of the variations in trim levels and optional, not standard, 4WD. It was a mistake to think that just because it's an relatively upscale SUV or CUV that people would automatically want all wheel drive.

But, once again, it will be in the hands of the marketing team. We'll see.

GripperDon · 05-10-2007, 12:33 AM

I think the problem is that currently it is only available in AWD the FWD comes out later. The gas milage penality for 4 wheel drive is too high. The Escape is available in FWD.

SomervillePrius · 05-10-2007, 07:27 AM

One problem the Escape/Mariners has is that it's gas milage is low compared to a Prius and the usable space is smaller then for a Prius. Also the much larger Highlander Hybrid gets similar gas mileage.

Ford uses old battery technology but otherwise seem to have a good system. Let's hope they can get a more competitive hybrid out there soon. I read on edmunds.com that the fusion would be made available as a hybrid. That could make an attractive car.

enviroprius · 05-10-2007, 02:07 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gripper @ May 9 2007, 11:33 PM) [snapback]438833[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I think the problem is that currently it is only available in AWD the FWD comes out later. The gas milage penality for 4 wheel drive is too high. The Escape is available in FWD.
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It IS available now in FWD. Our local dealer has already sold at least one. If you do a search on the Mercury website there are plenty available at this point in time.

Pinto Girl · 05-10-2007, 02:37 PM

Like the Ford campaign from the early 80's: "Have you driven a Ford...LATELY...?"

i.e., "please give us a try again, and while your doing that, would you also pardon us for all of the crap we've been trying to sell you over the last decade or so...?"

h2photo · 05-10-2007, 04:37 PM

When I was looking at SUVs (b4 the prius search) I was looking at all hybrids, the Escape & Mariner were on the list. But I ruled out the SUVs because they just dont offer the MPG/price as the prius does. But i actually liked the Mariner a lot more than the escape

Husker4theSpurs · 09-01-2007, 02:08 PM

I like the Mariner more than the Escape as well ... the 08s look pretty nice imho ... much more aggressive. Fuel economy is pretty decent for an SUV, but like said it's not the biggest SUV out there. The back seat isn't so comfy and the dash still looks pretty cheap imho. It does have a switch that is sort of like an EV button. Overall if I was looking for something that size and with 4wd, I would highly consider the Mariner. Not sure I completely would feel comfy with reliability though.

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11-22-2006, 01:53 AM	#1
hb06 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 480 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hybrid Owners of America Blog "Tuesday, November 21, 2006:Here's a puzzle for you: Why is the Mercury Mariner hybrid -- which the New York Times has called perhaps "the first great American vehicle of the 21st century" -- languishing when it comes to auto sales? In an article entitled "Not All Hybrids are Hot," Autoweek points out that only about 2,000 of the Mariner hybrids have been sold so far this year." "Nearly dead in the water is the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, which sits on dealer lots an average of 74 days -- longest of all hybrids, according to Power Information Network." "The Mariner's sibling, the Ford Escape Hybrid, is having a better year, with sales up 23.5 percent through October to 16,304 and a respectable 27 days on dealer lots." http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...007/1024/STATIC

12-12-2006, 12:04 AM	#3
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 7,713 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 14	I've said it before and I'll say it again, "it's refreshing to hear Mercury admitting that no one has them on their list of cars to look at." Clearly, when they say, "you've got to put Mercury on your list" they are recognizing that they are not on your list. To say that to one or two people is one thing; to say that to all of the United States is - as far as I'm concerned - pretty reveling.

05-10-2007, 12:33 AM	#5
GripperDon Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 51 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I think the problem is that currently it is only available in AWD the FWD comes out later. The gas milage penality for 4 wheel drive is too high. The Escape is available in FWD.

05-10-2007, 07:27 AM	#6
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 931 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	One problem the Escape/Mariners has is that it's gas milage is low compared to a Prius and the usable space is smaller then for a Prius. Also the much larger Highlander Hybrid gets similar gas mileage. Ford uses old battery technology but otherwise seem to have a good system. Let's hope they can get a more competitive hybrid out there soon. I read on edmunds.com that the fusion would be made available as a hybrid. That could make an attractive car.

05-10-2007, 02:37 PM	#8
Pinto Girl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,371 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Like the Ford campaign from the early 80's: "Have you driven a Ford...LATELY...?" i.e., "please give us a try again, and while your doing that, would you also pardon us for all of the crap we've been trying to sell you over the last decade or so...?"

05-10-2007, 04:37 PM	#9
h2photo Turning greener day byday Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 408 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: G Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	When I was looking at SUVs (b4 the prius search) I was looking at all hybrids, the Escape & Mariner were on the list. But I ruled out the SUVs because they just dont offer the MPG/price as the prius does. But i actually liked the Mariner a lot more than the escape

09-01-2007, 02:08 PM	#10
Husker4theSpurs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 229 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I like the Mariner more than the Escape as well ... the 08s look pretty nice imho ... much more aggressive. Fuel economy is pretty decent for an SUV, but like said it's not the biggest SUV out there. The back seat isn't so comfy and the dash still looks pretty cheap imho. It does have a switch that is sort of like an EV button. Overall if I was looking for something that size and with 4wd, I would highly consider the Mariner. Not sure I completely would feel comfy with reliability though.