Crossword Genius

Best to leave a reversing car (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

merc

'car' is the definition.
(short for Mercedes)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for merc that I've seen before include "one hired for foreign work" , "High-performance German car" , "German make of luxury car (colloq.)" , "Former cop" , "business-class car" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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