Brand Comparison
Mercury vs OXE Outboards
A straight, factual side-by-side — both are excellent builders that simply shine in different places. Here is how they line up and who each one suits.
| Mercury Marine | OXE Marine AB (formerly Cimco Marine AB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1939 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Helsingborg, Sweden |
| Ownership | Brunswick Corporation (since 1961) | Publicly traded (Nasdaq Stockholm: OXE) |
| Stock / Ticker | NYSE: BC — parent Brunswick Corporation | OXE.ST (Nasdaq Stockholm); OTC: CMMCF |
| Annual Revenue | $5.24 billion (2024, Brunswick Corporation) | Reported in OXE Marine AB public filings (SEK) |
| Employees | 5,200+ worldwide (Mercury Marine), including roughly 2,200 union workers at the Fond du Lac campus | Reported in OXE Marine AB filings |
| Manufacturing | 9 manufacturing plants worldwide | Assembly and engineering in Sweden |
| HP Range | 2.5 – 600 hp | 150 – 300 hp (+ HYBRID 450) |
| Fuel / Power | 4-stroke gasoline + electric (Avator) | Diesel (compression-ignition) & diesel-electric hybrid |
| Product Lines | 6 families | 5 families |
| Signature Tech |
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| Famous For | American-built performance and racing pedigree. Mercury Racing is a household name in high-horsepower and offshore circles, and the brand carries the widest U.S. service network — a big reason it dominates repower conversations. | Inventing the practical diesel outboard. OXE is famous for its belt-drive diesel engines used by navies, coast guards and commercial operators where diesel logistics and range matter most. |
| Best For | High performance, offshore power, and repowers backed by the widest U.S. service network. | Commercial, military, patrol and superyacht-tender operators needing diesel efficiency, range and single-fuel logistics. |
Revenue and workforce figures are point-in-time snapshots from company filings for the year shown (in several cases the parent company, not just the marine division). Stock price, market value, and ROI change daily — use the ticker for live pricing.
Where Each Brand Dominates
Mercury on the water
Tournament Bass Fishing
A dominant tournament choice — at the 2020 Bassmaster Classic the top 8 finishers all ran Mercury 250 Pro XS, and 33 of 53 boats in the field were Mercury-powered.
Offshore Powerboat Racing
Mercury Racing (450R, 300R, and APX competition engines) is deeply rooted in offshore and closed-course racing.
Repower & High-Horsepower
The 600 hp Verado and SmartCraft rigging make Mercury a go-to for large multi-engine repowers.
OXE on the water
Commercial & Military
Built for patrol, security, workboat and defense duty cycles with diesel logistics.
Long-Range & Efficiency
Diesel economy delivers extended range over gasoline outboards.
Superyacht Tenders
Diesel-tender option that matches a mothership's fuel.
Which one fits you?
Choose Mercury if…
- ✓Broadest HP range of any outboard brand (portable through 600 hp)
- ✓Deep U.S. dealer, parts, and service network
- ✓Strong repower and multi-engine offshore support via SmartCraft
Choose OXE if…
- ✓Major fuel efficiency and range vs gasoline (reports of 30%+ better economy)
- ✓Diesel safety and single-fuel logistics for pro/military users
- ✓Long service intervals and commercial durability
Browse & Official Links
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The Honest Take
Both Mercury Marine and OXE Marine AB (formerly Cimco Marine AB) are top-tier outboard builders — you can buy either with confidence. Mercury leans toward high performance, offshore power, and repowers backed by the widest u.s. service network, while OXE leans toward commercial, military, patrol and superyacht-tender operators needing diesel efficiency, range and single-fuel logistics. For most buyers the deciding factors are which dealer and service network is strongest in your area, and which brand your local mechanics know best. Whichever you choose, you can browse listings for both on OutboardListings.com.
FAQ
Is Mercury or OXE the better outboard?
Neither is universally "better" — they lead in different areas. Mercury is best for high performance, offshore power, and repowers backed by the widest u.s. service network. OXE is best for commercial, military, patrol and superyacht-tender operators needing diesel efficiency, range and single-fuel logistics. The right choice depends on how you boat and what dealer support is near you.
What is the HP range of Mercury vs OXE?
Mercury Marine offers 2.5 – 600 hp, while OXE Marine AB (formerly Cimco Marine AB) offers 150 – 300 hp (+ HYBRID 450).
Who owns Mercury and OXE?
Mercury Marine: Brunswick Corporation (since 1961). OXE Marine AB (formerly Cimco Marine AB): Publicly traded (Nasdaq Stockholm: OXE).