1144 messages,
Last post on Apr 19, 2012 at 4:15 AM
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Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrid Forum.
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Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Hybrid Cars, Sedan
#378 of 1144 Re: Hybrid Myths and Legends Fusion? [pableau]
by daninoah
Mar 06, 2009 (6:02 am)
Pableau,
Ford is saying that an order placed for the vehicle by 3/31 qualifies for the credit so long as that same vehicle is purchased. Here is the exact language from the Ford Motor Regional manager in a memo to his dealers (my salesman sent me a copy):
"Tax Credit Update
Since Ford Motor Company reached the 60,000 vehicle threshold in the 4th Quarter of 2008, under current federal law the tax credit amounts are reduced by 50% beginning April 1, 2009 and by an additional 25% beginning October 1, 2009. No tax credit amount is available for hybrids after March 31, 2010. Customers who order or purchase any Hybrids by 3/31/09 will remain eligible for the full tax credit amounts. (This applies to Retail Orders of Fusion/Milan Hybrid.)"
The way I see it, they are guaranteeing eligibility for the credit (so long as the taxpayer's status allows the credit -- i.e. AMT, total income etc). Check with your dealer again. Ford also put out a press release a couple of weeks ago claiming the same thing.
#379 of 1144 Tax Credits
by acdii
Mar 06, 2009 (6:41 am)
If the government really wants to push the sales of Hybrids, then they should make the tax credit permanent, no cut off date. What gets me is all the hype about save the planet, global warming, blah blah blah, yet with hybrids, which are there to help fight the aforementioned stuff, there are rarely any incentives to purchase, rarely ever low financing, and if lucky get one for MSRP.
And don't get me started about electric plugins!!
#380 of 1144 Re: Tax Credits [acdii]
by akirby
Mar 06, 2009 (7:23 am)
If the government really wants to push the sales of Hybrids, then they should make the tax credit permanent, no cut off date.
That wasn't the purpose of the tax credit. The purpose was to encourage more manufacturers to start building hybrids. This means Hyundai could start building hybrids and have an immediate $3400 cost advantage over Toyota and Ford. Consumer demand is already there and the hybrid costs are now reasonable, so there is no need for additional consumer incentives. I'd argue that there is no need for any further mfr enticements, either.
#381 of 1144 Re: Hybrid Myths and Legends Fusion? [daninoah]
by texases
Mar 06, 2009 (8:00 am)
While Ford may be sure the tax credits works this way, isn't it up to the IRS? I'd feel better if Ford was quoting the IRS.
#382 of 1144 Re: Hybrid Myths and Legends Fusion? [texases]
by akirby
Mar 06, 2009 (8:07 am)
The IRS isn't going to elaborate any more than they already have. The key to me is the example the IRS gives where you "purchase" the vehicle in September 2009 but you don't take delivery until January 2010. You still get the tax credit that was in effect as of September 2009 but you can't submit the claim until you file your 2010 tax return in 2011.
There is no other possible scenario I can think of where you "purchase" a vehicle one month but don't take delivery until several months later.
#383 of 1144 Re: Hybrid Myths and Legends Fusion? [akirby]
by texases
Mar 06, 2009 (8:33 am)
OK, your IRS example is good enough for me.
#384 of 1144 Re: Hybrid Myths and Legends Fusion? [zrobl1]
by wvgasguy
Mar 06, 2009 (11:27 am)
After a lengthy search I actually find one near Charlotte…where I can pick it up for $54,000.
Seriously
Why would anyone pay $54K for an Escape Hybrid?????
#385 of 1144 Might want to wait
by wvgasguy
Mar 06, 2009 (11:33 am)
If you can't get one in time for the tax credit you might want to wait until the rush is over. Currently Fitzmall has the TCH selling for about $4K off MSRP. You might like the Ford, but if you pay over MSRP and lose the credit, it might not be such a deal. In a year or two when the market is normal with supply and demand they will discount them.
#386 of 1144 Re: Tax Credits [akirby]
by gagrice
Mar 07, 2009 (6:58 am)
This means Hyundai could start building hybrids and have an immediate $3400 cost advantage over Toyota and Ford
The car would have to be as efficient as the Fusion Hybrid in comparison to the non hybrid version. This is the first time the IRS has offered $3400 tax credit in this program. That is the maximum amount. The Prius was $3150 and the Camry Hybrid was only $2600. So Ford did a good job on their FFH to get the maximum credit. Too bad most people will not get that much.
Also remember if you are so unfortunate to be hit with AMT on your Federal Taxes, you will not be allowed any tax credits.
The only car I know of with a better tax credit is the Honda GX CNG car that has a $4000 tax credit. Not part of the same program as the diesel & hybrid incentives.
#387 of 1144 Re: Tax Credits [akirby]
by acdii
Mar 07, 2009 (7:52 am)
If the government really wants to push the sales of Hybrids, then they should make the tax credit permanent, no cut off date.
That wasn't the purpose of the tax credit.
You kinda missed the whole point I was making there. With the push for more people to go green by legislatures, IE Cap and Trade, you would think they would have more incentives to purchase a hybrid over a standard car, and one way would be tax credits. So far their stimulus bill doesn't have much at all in it that will stimulate me to buy anything. Economy is money, when people have it, they spend it, when they don't have it, nothing is purchased, so there are no orders for more goods, without those orders, people don't have jobs. Seems simple enough, yet our glorious leaders are constantly missing that whole point. Their bailouts are doing nothing more than crippling the system by letting the bad linger, its like treating a fever with an ice cube, feels good for a little while, but the fever is still there. If there are cars out there that not only save money by using less gas, but can also give you a bigger refund at the end of the year, don't you think more people would be buying? The same should go for cars that get 35+ MPG, a small tax credit for those, and maybe for diesel powered ones. Not only would it help sales, but there would be more fuel efficient cars on the road that way as well. It would spur manufacturers to build more fuel efficient cars then on lines that currently make gas guzzlers. Put the money towards those who would spend it on goods, not piss it away on parties and airplanes.