Article: Freewheeling: In the midst of making great cars, many automakers folded

BY EVELYN KANTER

motor matters

It is crucial to the American economy that Ford, General Motors and Chrysler weather the current economic storm. But, they would not be the first domestic carmakers to shrink, merge, or even go out of business in the 100-plus-year history of our love affair with the automobile.

There's speculation Ford will let the Mercury brand die, leaving only Ford cars and trucks and Lincoln luxury models. It would not be the first time Ford killed a brand. Remember the Edsel? Named for the son of company founder Henry Ford, Edsel sedans and convertibles were born with great fanfare, with 1958 models. Three years later, sales were barely a blip, the Edsel name a laughing ...

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