Mercury

Mercury is a domestic automaker and a division of Ford Motor Company. The Mercury brand is marketed as being somewhat more upscale than Ford; it applies unique styling details and special features to its vehicles as a way of enhancing their desirability relative to similar Ford products.The 2008 Mariner is redesigned inside and out and went on sale earlier this year. All-new sheet metal includes front/rear fascias as well as a new rear liftgate, a raised beltline and a new hood. The most obvious changes are to the front, where the '08 Mariner wears a new grille and headlights. The grille is larger with the trademark Mercury satin finish waterfall. A large Mercury logo sits prominently in the middle of the grille. The interior changes are even more obvious than those on the exterior. The center console, instrument panel, floor-mounted shifter and trim materials are all new. Satin accents continue on the interior, featured on the door, dashboard and center console. Mariner is also available with a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, which features smoother transitions between the gas and electric motors thanks to a software upgrade for 2008. Meanwhile, the Mercury Montego is renamed Sable, bringing back a well-known name in hopes of increasing sales. In addition to the new name, the Sable gets updated front styling and a number of feature upgrades.