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Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan

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  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Milan, for fashion capital of Italy.

    Originally it was to have been named Montclair, things have changed a bit. Seems they can't get their name-act together.

    And yes, Montclair is trademarked by Ford already, and has been for awhile. As for Milan, I hbelieve because of the name-sake it implies, it's trying to be "fashionable and sophisticated" which is what seperated Mercury vehicles in essense.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Oh boy....... I'm sure the women will love it, but no self-respecting guy would, IMO. No offense meant to anybody. Just like Sable. Clearly, targeted towards women.
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Oh yeah definately, Ford has always targeted women with Mercury. For example, the Mountaineer's driver's seat, is different from that of the Explorer. Supposedly it's to ease entry/exit for women. I think maybe there's like lower cushioning to make it easier.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I've tried to find the link, but can't. Can you direct me to a picture of this concept, with the 3 bar grille?
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    You're not old enough, I can tell, ANT. But I'm old enough to remember the ad campaign for Mercury in the 60's..... "MERCURY, the MAN'S car!" Guess it wouldn't be PC today.
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    From Edmunds own... http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/pictures/V- EHICLE/2005/Ford/100281341/022925-E.jpg
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Thank you, ANT. The 3 bar grille.....I get it.
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    As I remember 400 was one of Packard's luxury cars from 50s. Isn't it confusing ?
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    The name "400" originally referred to New York's social elite in the late 19th century. Someone listed all of New York's society leaders, and the list came to 400 names (or close to it). Soon, New York's elite were referred to as "The 400." Packard later picked up on that reference with some of its vehicles.

    Interestingly, Studebaker brought out a special edition of the 1957 Golden Hawk that was also christened "400."

    Four Hundred is not the best name for this car - I'd prefer Fairlane, Falcon or Fairmount. They recall Ford history and are much more memorable.

    Mercury Milan is not a good name, either. It reminds me of the Milano cookie sold by Pepperidge Farms. I'd go with Mercury Montclair or Meteor.
  • upsetter1upsetter1 Member Posts: 205
    Yeah, I agree about Milan. Any italian name associates with FIAT or unreliability issues.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    In case you haven't heard, women are responsible for the well over more than 1/2 the cars sold so catering to them isn't such a bad idea.

    IMHO, using Fairlane, Fairmont, Falcon brings bad memories for people who are aging - not exactly the customer group auto makers covet.

    New cars - new names.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Good points re: women, and vehicle names.

    Personally, I *MUCH* prefer 'Milan' to the dowdy/frumpy sounding 'Montclair' or the ancient sounding 'Monarch'.

    In terms of the Ford, I really hope its called the 400, which is much more trendy/cool sounding the 'Futura', which makes me think of that hideous Fairmont option package that was around near the time of my birth- 1981. Certainly not the Golden Age of Ford's automotive prowess, so I'm not sure why theyd want to bring that name back.

    ~alpha
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Let's PROBE and FOCUS as to Ford's naming practices. Most provide an ESCAPE and conjure images of EXPLORing off-road EXCURSIONS, while other's imply a FREE STYLE of living. This one implies the FUTURe...
  • badgerfanbadgerfan Member Posts: 1,565
    Hey, at least no one is planning on bringing back the name "Edsel". Now if you really want to delve into the Ford historical annals, how about bringing back the "Model T".
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Absolutely there is nothing wrong with catering to Women when you name your car....it just leaves the "other" half out if it's patently feminine, and Milan, the fashion capital of Italy does that for me. But with Elena at the helm of Mercury, I'm expecting a lot more of this. It's ok though, my Wife drives the Mercury anyway, and she's happy.

    Personally, I would go for gender neutral names, but I'm sure they are focus grouping over the issue as we speak and figuring it out.

    I'm not sure Montclair works in this day and age, Monarch might, if it ever did, Meteor though, is a cool name for a fast car....
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    It's a personal feel. I like the name Milan but then again I tend to dress rather well - for a guy.
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    To paraphrase the late, great Bunkie Knudsen (who revived Pontiac in the late 1950s with the Wide Track theme and split grilles) - you can sell a man's car to a woman, but you can't sell a woman's car to a man.
  • nedc2nedc2 Member Posts: 192
    Milan isn't some "feminine" name, it's Italy's financial and industrial capital. Besides my old fencing coach was from Milan. Great name for a car! Though I'd prefer Milano, the Italian spelling/pronunciation, and after all Starsky and Hutch drove a Torino not a Turin. Sure beats Montclair.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    grbeck - you're good, and Bunkie was a genius! I think that's generally true!

    I agree, Montclair isn't great in most applications. Milan though, clearly, sounds like Elena Ford's favorite shopping place. Milano might be better, actually. I don't know, it just doesn't sound like a car to me..... YMMV
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    nvbanker: GM and Ford need fewer bean counters, and a few more like Bunkie.

    As for Milano - Pepperidge Farms sells a cookie named the Milano. They are certainly tasty - probably too tasty for the good of my waistline - but I don't think Mercury wants that association.

    My choice? Go with Mercury Meteor. Nice name from the past, and it also suggests speed.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I could endorse the Meteor. I see Ford named the Escape in Euorope the Maverick..... That would have been a possibility, but Meteor would be better. I always thought the Cougar from 83 on was a woman's car...my wife had 2 of them. I can see Elena moving Mercury to the feminine market sooner than to the performance market. Watch the Marauder go away shortly...
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Actually yes, the Marauder will take a 2 year hiatus, and come back in another re-incarnation...guess I didn't need to mention that since it's not a Marauder forum, but now you know....

    I doubt Elena Ford will turn Mercury into performance, it's more about sophisticated/Ford product. Than the Mercury's of the past. But don't be surprised to see a few models that could be considered performance, such as a Marauder, or a Cougar. Mercury will keep an asset of the past, which was to offer the more powerful engine (from their Ford clone) as standard. And we see this with the Monterey.

    Yet that idea is contradicted, when the Mariner appears with a standard I-4. But that's another topic....

    Also wanted to add, this isn't the first time that a name change occurs. Same situation occured with the Freestyle... remember Crosstrainer?
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Yeah....didn't start with an "F", eh?
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    That, and might offend Cross-dresser's... Also some shoe model, with that name...We don't need another Futura (pep boy) issue.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Ah! Had a small Nike problem myself, with my own company....... I said it was a checkmark, they said it was a swish........ I get it.

    No wonder Cadillac is moving to alphanumeric soup. Much less offensive, I suppose.
  • jchan2jchan2 Member Posts: 4,956
    are hard to find these days since there are already a ton of names already registered. Either you reach into your past (Fairlane) or you think up something less creative. (Windstar-Freestar)
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    With alphanumeric names, it's easier to make the public think of the division name first and foremost. That was Acura's reasoning behind the decision to ditch Legend, Vigor and Integra.

    Plus, Cadillac's model names carried lots of baggage...the division wanted to make a clean break with the past.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Good idea for Cadillac......

    Bad idea for Acura - because the equity in the Legend and Integra, at least, was huge. The brand hasn't done as well since dumping the names, would you agree?
  • venus537venus537 Member Posts: 1,443
    no. Acura did take a serious dip though but is coming back strong now. only the revamped RL is left to complete the turn around.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    No, the brand has done much better in recent years. Sales are up, it started with the second generation TL and the introduction of the MDX. The 3rd gen. TL is selling well, as is the TSX. Sales of the RSX have slumped, but thats to be expected in the segment in which it competes. I think youd be hard pressed to find any concrete evidence that brand recognition and/or profits have decreased due, even in part, to the alphanumeric switch.

    ~alpha
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Well it's official, Ford can't use the Futura name. The Four-hundred has been tossed around, but isn't official in any sense, and they are still contemplating other names.

    Sooooo, pick a name (probably from the past) that Ford can use for this vehicle. Try not to use Falcon/Fairlane/Fairmont, because of process of elimination.

    And yes, has to start with "F"....
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    What are we supposed to be - Bill F's unpaid marketing consultants?? LOL

    Fremont, Franklin, Freeport...

    Maybe they could resurrect Galaxie 500.
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Well, just saying maybe you can give them some inspiration :-)

    Can't use the Galaxie, since the Five Hundred will already be used for another vehicle. Four-hundred is being tossed around a bit, but then the Focus would automatically be perceived as Three-Hunred, and obviously Chrysler would have an issue with that.

    Freeport.... You know, you might have something there.... I'm going to check their trademarked names, and see what other F-names are available...
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Ok here's a few frequently trademarked names.

    The Two-Hundred, Three-Hundred, Four-Hundred, Six-Hundred (spelled out) Ford trademarked last year.

    Also found it interesting, Milan (Mercury version) was also trademarked a few months ago, in 2003. Madera (spanish for wood) is another, earlier last year (Probably for Mercury).

    Frequency, was trademarked earlier last year. Flash (In the UK)....Finalist is another. Faction (used on an urban concept SUV).

    Now, those names are the recently filed one's. Ford can go into the past and resurect names such as Falcon and such (But I can tell you that won't be the case).

    Or they can come up with something quick (Like Freeport), and file a priority filing, to make it stick quickly.

    I personally like Frequency of Finalist....From the above mentioned...And Freeport would go along with the Free-star, Free-style, but will definately confuse many.
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0404/06/c01-113872.htm
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/fordfu6_20040406.htm
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    How about Freedom? Or does the Gov't have a trademark on that? He He.....
  • tomcat630tomcat630 Member Posts: 854
    I'm betting Four Hundred, but don't like it.
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    This would be an ideal time for FOMOCO to give up on the silly F and M rule, but I am betting they do not. Not yet, anyway.
  • mschmalmschmal Member Posts: 1,757
    Even registering your name doesn't guaranty that it is yours. It is a company's responsibility to protect their own trade-marks. Failure to protect your trade-mark could all it to be considered "open domain", or allow another company to claim ownership...

    Ford has apparently allowed Pep-Boys to use the Futura name on its tires since the early sixties. This is the same thing that happened to the GT40 name. Ford failed to protect it over the years and subsequently lost the rights.

    This is why companies are so cut throat today when it comes to protecting the trade-marks that are inseparable from a brands identity, like the Nike Swish mark...

    Some things can't be trademarked things such as numbers or letter codes... This is why Intel went to Pentium instead of just going with 586...They wanted to create a brand/trade mark they could protect... Mazda is apparently trying to work their way around this by not putting a space after Mazda in Mazda3 and Mazda6.

    Also Five Hundred, since it is spelled out can be registered. which is one of the reason's ford has chosen to spell it out.

    Hope some if this makes sense.

    I bet peeps at ford are shooting themselves in the foot. Also makes one wonder if Ford actually owns the rights to someone of the Heritage Names that have been thrown about... especially the ones that have been inactive for a long time like Fairlane and Falcon...
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Thanks for that trademark lesson - I, for one, found it pretty interesting. Oh, and welcome to Town Hall.

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  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Yes, that is interesting info. Makes sense.
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    If Ford wants to recapture the past, and isn't dead set on "F" names, it could revive Pacer, Corsair or Citation. (It's already using Ranger.)

    Maybe Ford would have better luck with them this time around.
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Pacer and Citation hardly bring up good memories (remember the AMC's and Chevys with those names? Ugh).

    Corsair sounds WAY too much like Corvair, again not a good thing, and may very well belong to an aviation company anywho.

    Why not just use Edsel?

    Tee Hee.
  • fsmmcsifsmmcsi Member Posts: 792
    There are pictures of a Lincoln Zephyr version of the car (Mazda6, Ford F_______, Mercury M___, aand Lincoln Zephyr) in the Detriot News today.

    Very, very nice, and no ugly monument to the license plate as on current Lincoln vehicles.

    I need a bigger vehicle (300/Magnum), but thought all of you would be interested.
  • f111df111d Member Posts: 114
    Ford Fancy, If it comes close to the Contique's as a drivers car- Ford Finesse, If the bean counters destroy it like the Contique's - Ford Farce, and If someone has enough common sense and allows a Common Rail Diesel option The Ford Frugal.
    American's are missing the boat without a Diesel option. But then too many Americans are clueless about the new technology (much more viable that Band-Aid Hybrids) (a laptop sized Nimh battery pack Jeeze).
    The technology is there and the EPA (alias [non-permissible content removed]) is not allowing diesel cars.????? At least not Visteon, ie: the new 2.7L diesel Jag option, system controls, electronics and development is Delphi's???? Specs 206 Hp, 360 ft-lb. @1800 and 40.3 mpg overall and at steady state interstate 47.3 mpg. Everyday I run into new technology that would clean up the to satisfy the American public, but not the EPA?? Ie 2007 regs update. Someone besides our government is controlling the EPA? Just some food for thought folks. This is a great country and I'd like to see it stay that way for our grand children.
    Paul
    I know Edmunds doesn't like political, However the auto industry has been deep into global politics for many years. It's had a bigger hand into auto design than anything else. Sad but true
    Paul Echelberger
    N8BUU
  • ANT14ANT14 Member Posts: 2,687
    Good point...The Future sedan Formally known as Futura (I feel like I'm talking about Prince), will have a hybrid version available in the future.

    Interesting point though... Ford COULD implement their 2.7L diesel (co-creatd with Peugeot), that's available in Europe. BUT, it's all about what the government will allow, and their low-sulfur gasoline content that might prevent it from being implemented here.
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    Supposedly the head of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has gone on record as being very impressed with the new generation of diesels from Europe. That's according to a Wall Street Journal article that was published about a year ago. Since CARB influences the EPA, it's possible we may witness a change in attitude regarding diesels, provided the low sulphur fuel becomes available throughout the country.

    As for the name - I still like Fairlane and Falcon, although I understand that there may be another trademark issue with Falcon.

    Fairlane would be perfect, though - it recalls Ford's first intermediate, which was slotted between the Falcon and Galaxie. Since the new model will be placed between the Focus and Five Hundred in Ford's lineup, Fairlane would fit nicely.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Who else uses the Falcon name? Are you referring to the NFL? I believe thats FalconS.

    ~alpha
  • seminole_kevseminole_kev Member Posts: 1,696
    as Ford is still actively using the Falcon name in Australia. So that name shouldn't be an issue like "Futura".
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