AUTOS

Mercury to Offer Sport-Utility Vehicle: Ford Motor Co. said its Lincoln-Mercury division will introduce its first sport-utility vehicle--the Mercury Mountaineer--in 1996. The four-door auto, to be based on Ford’s popular Explorer, will come with a standard V-8 engine and automatic transmission. Few other details were available, but Lincoln-Mercury spokeswoman Carla Boyd said the Mountaineer will probably offer more equipment standard than does the Explorer, which offers a standard V-6 engine and manual transmission. Production will begin in the first half of next year, Ford said. An anticipated price was not disclosed.