Merkur was a short-lived Ford luxury brand (1985-1989) selling rebadged German Ford Europe models, the sporty hatchback XR4Ti (Sierra XR4i) and the Scorpio sedan, aiming for European flair against BMW/Saab but facing high pricing (strong Deutschmark) and slow sales, leading Ford to discontinue it after the '89 model year, leaving behind cult classic "vintage" cars today, especially the XR4Ti, according to sources from Wikipedia and The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide.

Key Details:

Models: Merkur sold two main models: the XR4Ti (a turbocharged version of the Ford Sierra XR4i) and the Scorpio (a luxury sedan).

Lifespan: The brand existed in the U.S. and Canada from 1985 to 1989, effectively ending with the 1989 model year.

Reason for Discontinuation: Despite positive reviews for being European-influenced and fun, they struggled with high prices (due to the strong German Mark) and low sales, compounded by the cost to re-engineer them for new U.S. safety standards.

Legacy: Merkurs are now considered "vintage" or "retro-cool," with an enthusiast following, particularly the XR4Ti, which served as a precursor to the famed Ford Sierra RS Cosworth.