The automotive press has initiated a death watch for Ford's Mercury brand.

"While no official announcements have been made regarding the death of the Mercury brand," Autoblog writes, "the new product silence is deafening."  All current Mercury products are rebadged Fords, and "not a peep has been provided regarding future Mercury products. Lincoln too has gotten some love as of late with its new MKS sedan, but a Mercury flag-bearer is conspicuously absent."

Automotive News (subscription required) reports that Ford has disclosed redesign schedules for most Ford and Lincoln products, but not for Mercury.  The venerable Grand Marquis is already on the way out, available only by special order and not stocked by dealerships.  In 2010, Mercury will drop the Sable from its lineup.  In 2011, the Ford Explorer gets redesigned, but its Mercury Mountaineer cousin is eliminated from the lineup.  A new Ford Fusion is planned for 2012, but no Mercury Milan cousin has been disclosed -- so the 2011 Milan may be the last.  The Ford Escape will be redesigned for the 2013 model year, but there are no plans for a Mariner version.

Motor Trend writes, "With Ford Motor Company struggling to redefine Mercury in its ever-thinning brand portfolio, it looks like the Blue Oval will let its 69-year-old mid-market division fade away, like General Motors' Oldsmobile and Chrysler's Plymouth earlier this decade."  It isn't easy to eliminate a brand.  Automakers trying to end a nameplate traditionally face resistance, and lawsuits, from dealers. But MT predicts "Mercury will sail into the sunset about 2012, based on word from sources and a close look at its product cycles."

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