Later Styles

Third Generation

1998 - 2002

     Grand marquis saw an extensive update for the 1998 model year. Although the car never changed much from the successful body style of the 1992-1997 model, the roof and doors were the only identical part between them. The front and back of the fascia was redesigned, with a new grille, hood, bumpers, headlamps/tail lamps, and side mirrors. The inside carried over from the 1995 update, with fords new two-spoke steering wheel replacing the previous four-spoke design. 

     The redesign of the Crown Victoria was not as well received by car buyers as the Grand Marquis. This gap in sales allowed for the Marquis to outsell it's counterpart. Ford then decided to soften the Crown Victoria's roof line, more alike to the Marquis. With the Crown Victoria and the Grand Marquis being the only two affordable full body sedan styles in North America, Ford made good profits. They sold approximately 100,000 third generation Grand Marquis per year.

Fourth Generation 

2003 - 2011

      In the final generation for these high class sedans, Mercury outdid itself. In 2003 Mercury released two other full body sedans, which could be the reason the Grand Marquis ended up getting discontinued eight years later. In addition, the Grand Marquis largely replaced its counterpart, the Crown Victoria in sales as the Crown Victoria was discontinued from retail in 2008. In 2010, the Grand Marquis marked thirty five years of production.  

    Styling changes for the Mercury Grand Marquis were evolutionary in 2003. To improve rigidity, an all new frame was introduced, a new quieter brake system was also added alongside a mechanical panic system. These were the only post-1992 Marquis to be produced in North America with dual exhaust. The exterior of the car also got many new extensive changes, such as a larger grille to improve cooling, and a new two-toned paint. The total number of Fourth Generation Grand Marquis was about 450,000.

Discontinuation

On June 2nd 2010, Ford announced that it would be discontinuing all vehicles produced by the Mercury division. The Mercury Grand Marquis was the longest continuous produced car, being about 36 years. In September 2010, the final Marquis were produced for retail, aiming to end production completely in December. At the St. Thomas production plant, on January 4th 2011, the final Mercury was produced. At 2.7 million, the Grand Marquis was the best selling vehicle produced by the brand.