Vellum Venom Vignette: Lincoln Mariner (Hecho en Mexico)

Francisco writes: Dear Sajeev, Regular reader here. To the matter at hand: On a recent visit to Mexico, this Mariner was in front of me begging for a bad cellphone pic. Don't get me wrong, after-market badge-upgraded cars are pretty common there, but this already badge-engineered Ford Explorer (Mercury Mariner – SM) badge-engineered once more to a "Lincoln Mariner 4wd V6″ was too ironic to let go. Please note the extra Lincoln badge thrown in for good measure on the dealer license plate cover. Make no mistake, it is a Lincoln. I assumed that this would bring a smile and a chuckle to an ardent Ford guy like yourself. Hope you enjoy it and keep up the good work! Best regards from Sweden, Francisco Sajeev answers: Oh yes! How lovely it is to behold the splendiferousness that is Mexican Ford products. Even if this is a modification done by the owner. Obviously! Now that Lincoln Mexico has more Lincoln-y products than the USA–dare I admit that I miss the Mark LT, since it was at least RWD with a V8–I'm glad the Lincoln line up expanded to older Mercury vehicles too.  It's much like the South of the Border Ford's rebranding of Mercury products like the Ford Grand Marquis…and of course the disturbingly cool Ford Cougar.   Click here to view the embedded video. Now that's how you sell a car! Ford Cougar = RAWR! Por favor, let this Lincoln-Mercury Fanboi enjoy this moment. POR FAVOR! It's nice to see that the Lincoln brand is loved enough to be rebranded on large and stately vehicles outside of the US.  And yes, the Mariner is a big time Lincoln-like machine compared to what most people drive down there.  And about the Mexican Mark LT…well, it's still cooler than spending $60,000 (or whatever) for a Harley Davidson F-150. And with that, today's Damning With Faint Praise session ends.     from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

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