is Mercury going to make it

miloman

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we have talked on this board re evinrude hows about mercury with defeat on optimax no new product releases and some flutter on the dealer side what do you think<br />some 90 and 115 di coming and a 250 4 stroke with no info no specs lots of mystery. NOthing other then an agressive marketing campaign on lower hp. How do they match evinrudes warranty They seem to be pulling all thier support from Canada opinions lets stay away from speculation So what do you think
 

JB

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Mar 25, 2001
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Re: is Mercury going to make it

Hi, Miloman.<br /><br />Brunswick's predatory marketing strategy (requiring Brunswick owned boats be prerigged with only Merc.) Has offended many and suggests desperation. But I don't see them in any real trouble.<br /><br />Merc will be around for a long time, but will surrender market share to innovators like Bombardier, Suzuki and Yamaha.<br /><br />Just my opinion.
 

ob

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Re: is Mercury going to make it

I agree with JB's comments.An example of this is Brunswicks ownership of Boston Whaler boats.I was shooting the bull with the local sales rep while purchasing parts recently and looking at some of the newer Whaler rigs. He apprised me that their Whaler sales were lackluster as compared to previously.At least in south Texas,most of the owners of Whalers rigged their boats with other than Mercs.
 

OBJ

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Re: is Mercury going to make it

Hi folks....<br /><br />The outboard industry is going to be an interesting thing to watch in the years to come. As JB pointed out, Merc has been around for a long time and probably will be. Least they didn't go under like OMC. Now comes Bombardier taking over OMC and highly publicizing what they are doing to get Evinrude/Johnson back on track and backing up there words with action, ie. 3 year non-declining warranty to start. Bombardier has got to get back in the game and they know it. I think we are going to see marketing strategies change as fast as they do for the auto industries between the major outboard manufactureres. And inovations are going to come very quickly from all outboard manufacturers. Let's just hope that they don't get sucked under like OMC did. We are the guys on the receiving end and it could hurt.<br /><br />OBJim
 

Boatist

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Apr 22, 2002
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Re: is Mercury going to make it

I just went to the first boat show of the season in my area do not think Mecury has anything to worry about right now. Boats motors at the show about 60 percent Mecury, 35 percent Yamaha and 5 percent Honda. No Evinrudes at all two Johnson one 50 hp on a lund fishing boat and a 15 hp on a motor display. Dealer that had Johnsons motor said last two motors he has at his shop. Same dealer had about 10 Merc and 7 Yamaha on boats and a motor rack with at least 6 Merc and 6 Yamaha's in the kicker motor size. Did get a 2003 Johnson catalog from him. 4 stroke Johnsons have a 3 year non-declining waranty and 2 strokes a 2 year non-declining waranty.
 

roscoe

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Re: is Mercury going to make it

Answer: Yes.<br /><br />But how can you say "lets stay away from speculation So what do you think" in the same sentence? That kind of contradicts itself doesn't it?
 

snapperbait

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Re: is Mercury going to make it

I feel Mercury will do just fine (probably better)simply because of the competition (Bombardier, ect.) will be pushing hard with new technology making all the outboard companies work a little harded which I think will benefit "us" the consumer in the end... :cool:
 

roscoe

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Re: is Mercury going to make it

I would like to see them compete on reliability and price. Seems we can buy an entire auto or big motorcycle for not much more than an engine for our boat.<br /><br />I understand the environmental issues and all, but does everything have to be so high tech that it prices so many out of the market? I don't see things any cheaper in the inboard market either.
 

snapperbait

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Re: is Mercury going to make it

$$$$$$... Very true Roscoe.... I would probably not buy a new outboard because I could not afford one...<br /><br /> There is a certain beauty in simplicity....
 

miloman

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Re: is Mercury going to make it

all very good points ok roscoe so maybe some speculation is in hand I wonder where they are going with the lower hp and the hi hp
 

roscoe

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Re: is Mercury going to make it

Ok, my speculation is more industry wide, not just Mercury. I think the lower hp motors will go 4 stroke, and there will be limited production numbers of 2 stroke- for a while, then fazed out of the US market. ( in ten years??)<br /><br />Mid and high hp motors will be split betwwn 4 stroke and whatever type of direct injection system they can come up with that will satisfy both the epa/carb and the comsumer. It won't be too many years till they will have to cease selling 2 strokes in the US market, so I wouldn't expect to see a whole lot of $$ poured into design and re-building of production facilities for 2 strokes.<br /><br />Now we just have to sit here for 15 years to see if I am right.
 

Forktail

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Feb 11, 2002
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Re: is Mercury going to make it

The large majority of outboards sold are 30 hp and under. In 2001 about 300,000 out boards were sold at an average price of $8,388. Numbers sold have dropped off slightly over the last few years.<br /><br />If you're interested in the outboard market, here's some good info. Nothing on brands or technology, but lots of statistics. Looks like the trends are still upward.<br /><br /> http://www.nmma.org/facts/boatingstats/2001/index.asp
 
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