Shortly after announcing a profit of $2.6 billion, a 13% increase and beating expectations on Wall Street, Ford has announced the new 2011 Ford Explorer. The new Explorer is expected to create at least 1,800 new jobs including 600 auto supplier jobs across 3 states.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is preparing to shut down the Mercury brand according to several reports.  Mercury started in 1939 by Edsel Ford.  Ever since 2000, Mercury’s sales plunged by about 74%.