the Mercury Montego received AutoPacific’s “Ideal Vehicle Award,” which recognizes the 2006 passenger vehicle that most closely meets its customers’ expectations. Owners of the 2006 Mercury Montego, which also took top honors in the large car/large luxury car category, reported that they want very few or no changes at all made to their car.

“We are delighted the Mercury Montego has been rated the top ‘2006 Ideal Vehicle’ overall and the Mercury Milan has been given the top award in the mid-size car category,” said Kim Irwin, Mercury Brand Manager. “Mercury is very focused on understanding its customers and giving them everything they need and want in their vehicles so these honors are especially rewarding for the entire Mercury team.”

The “Ideal Vehicle Award,” which measures 11 product-oriented vehicle attributes, found that the 2006 Mercury Montego was the highest ranked individual vehicle with a score of 967 out of a
possible 1,100. Mercury Montego customers found its cargo space and ease of access into and out of the vehicle to be near ideal, which are attributes valued by large car buyers. This demonstrates that Mercury understands the Montego customers’ priorities and preferences.

“Our first ‘Ideal Vehicle Awards’ show that the 2006 Mercury Montego is the top rated vehicle and the top rated car in meeting customer expectations,” said George Peterson of AutoPacific, Inc. “This award, which reports direct customer feedback, tells us that the Mercury Montego team did the best job of understanding its target customers and designing and engineering a vehicle that best suits those customers.”

The innovative Mercury Montego sedan has a premium interior that is roomy and sophisticated with flexible seating and cargo storage capability that has set new standards for its segment. A spacious second row and ‘high-package’ seating position provide unprecedented passenger comfort and reinforce the driver''''s commanding view of the road.

Mercury was also a winner with the 2006 Mercury Milan, which took top honors in the mid-size car segment (935 points out of a possible 1,100) based on its near ideal ratings for exterior size, interior storage, power and acceleration, and size of wheels and tires. This award follows on the heels of Mercury Milan’s top honor earlier this year for AutoPacific’s 2006 Vehicle Satisfaction Award in the mid-size car category.

The 2006 Mercury Milan translates Mercury’s new identity – sophisticated design, stylish and functional interiors and rewarding, city-tuned driving traits – into a spirited sedan entering one of the industry''''s most hotly contested segments.