NATION

NATION
Chairman announces plansto expand Mercury brand
CHICAGO -- Despite two years of steep sales declines, Ford's Mercury brand has plenty of life left and will expand from four to seven vehicles next year, chairman Bill Ford said Wednesday at the Chicago Auto Show.
Mercury's U.S. sales fell 23.2 percent last year after a 15.6 percent drop in 2002. Declining sales have prompted some industry observers to speculate whether Mercury would be eliminated.
But Ford said Mercury still plays an important role in the automaker's lineup, filling a niche between the Ford nameplate and upscale Lincoln brand.
Mike Wall, an industry analyst with CSM Worldwide, said the automaker's challenge is differentiating between the Ford and Mercury brands.
Associated Press