Ford has announced that the new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids are now eligible for a $3,400 tax credit.
The $3,400 tax credit is the highest credit amount offered for a hybrid since the end of 2005.
The Fusion and Milan Hybrids have been rated at 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, which is better than its closest competitor, the Toyota Camry Hybrid.
If you are planning on buying one of Ford's newest hybrids you better do it before March 31, 2009 because after that the tax credit will be cut in half.
Related Stories:
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Officially Gets 41 MPG
PRESS RELEASE:
2010 FORD FUSION HYBRID QUALIFIES BUYERS FOR HIGHEST AVAILABLE FEDERAL TAX CREDIT – $3,400
DEARBORN, MICH., Jan. 28, 2009 – Customers eager to purchase America's most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans, the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, can take advantage of a $3,400 tax credit from the federal government.
Buyers of a new 2010 Fusion Hybrid or Mercury Milan Hybrid this year will qualify for the $3,400 tax credit, the highest credit amount ever offered for hybrids purchased or placed in service after Dec. 31, 2005. The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient SUVs in America, continue to qualify for a $3,000 tax credit, the highest available tax credit of all hybrids on the road today.
Fusion Hybrid's class-leading 41 mpg rating in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, which tops the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg in the city and 2 mpg on the highway, helped Fusion garner the significant credit amount, which is based on a vehicle's potential fuel efficiency. Stacked together, Fusion's fuel savings and tax incentive can help significantly offset the premium to the customer for hybrid-electric technology over a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle.
"Hybrids are an important part of our strategy to deliver the best or among the best fuel economy with all of our new products, and the Fusion and Milan Hybrids have set the pace for the company, as well as our competitors," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "We're glad to see our government help promote these advanced, clean fuel-efficient vehicles to the consumer."
Technological innovation, like the development of Ford's hybrid systems, is a core value as the company drives for leadership in quality, safety, fuel efficiency and in-car connectivity. A new study this week by The Patent Board™ – the world's leading patent analyst – found that Ford outperformed all other automakers in the quality and significance of its technology patents. The 2010 Fusion, Milan and their respective hybrid models set new standards for technology innovation with 119 U.S. patents.
Hybrid Hot Sheet
To deliver 700-plus miles on a single tank of gas, Fusion Hybrid travels up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode, faster than the Camry and all other hybrids currently on the road. In addition, the system's Intake Variable Cam Timing (i-VCT) allows the hybrid to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa, delivering a near imperceptible hybrid driving experience to the customer.
Other advanced hybrid systems that contribute to Fusion's fuel-economy leadership include:
• A smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery, which produces 20 percent more power than Ford's previous hybrid system.
• An enhanced electronic throttle control, which reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.
• A regenerative brake system that recovers and stores nearly 94 percent of energy normally lost through friction in braking.
The 2010 Fusion Hybrid also debuts Ford's SmartGauge with EcoGuide, a unique instrument cluster that helps coach drivers on how to optimize the fuel efficiency of their vehicles.
Ford's Growing Hybrid Fleet
The 2010 Fusion and Milan Hybrids join the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids, doubling the company's hybrid product offerings and volume.
The 2009 Escape and Mariner Hybrid FWD models qualify for a $3,000 tax credit; 4WD models $1,950. Owners of previous model-year Escape and Mariner hybrid models may also qualify for varying credit amounts from $1,950 to $3,000. The credit is only available to the original purchaser of a new, qualifying vehicle.
Tax Credit Update
Customers who purchase a Ford or Mercury brand hybrid by March 31, 2009 will remain eligible for the full tax credit amounts. Beginning April 1, 2009 customers who purchase a hybrid will only be able to claim a partial tax credit as described in the table above.
Since Ford Motor Company reached the 60,000 vehicle threshold in the 4th quarter of 2008, the tax credit amounts are reduced by 50 percent beginning in the second quarter of 2009 and by an additional 25 percent beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009. No tax credit amount is available for hybrids after March 31, 2010.
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Comments (12)
Mechanically, these don't appear to be bad cars but the styling is just ugly. How can Ford mess up the car so much? It shares so much with the Mazda 6, but looks so bad. The car just looks dull and boring from every angle (side, front and rear). If Ford just learned to freshen the styling and put some excitement into the model it would be a nice car at a good price.
Posted by John Campi | January 28, 2009 6:10 PM
Posted on January 28, 2009 18:10
You mean exciting like the Camry, or the Accord? Safe to say not many people find either of those sedans to be exciting either.
I do agree that Mazda 6 has been the zippiest mainstream sedan for several years now.
And don't forget the Malibu. Not entirely exciting, but a lean, tight sedan.
Posted by Trooper Bri | January 28, 2009 6:44 PM
Posted on January 28, 2009 18:44
The car has conservative styling to appeal to the audience it was intended for. Not a sport car pleaser or high performance luxury buyer. It is a good design, not ugly by any means (can anyone say prius or Nissan cube?).
But the mechanics are sound, Ford has improved a great deal recently, this will be the main selling point as well as the mileage and credit. Time for the import's to catch up to Ford.
Posted by sparky | January 28, 2009 8:13 PM
Posted on January 28, 2009 20:13
I personally like the new Fusion over the last gen Fusion except for the backend. the backend just screams 05-07 Focus especially the taillights. I liked the last gens Fusions backend better. Other then that the car look pretty good looking. I'd take this over the Malibu, Camry and Accord, anyday of the week.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | January 29, 2009 3:56 AM
Posted on January 29, 2009 03:56
There's rougly a 4 thousand dollar price difference between this and a comprably equipped non hybrid Fusion after the rebates.
We'll assume 15k miles per year and $1.75 a gallon gasoline.
((15,000/23)-(15,000/38))*$1.75*(numberofyearstilpayoff)=$4,000
8.9 year until payoff driving this hybrid.
If you drive 30k a year and gas prices jump to $5 a gallon like some fear.
((30,000/23)-(30,000/38)*$5*(#of years)=$4,000
1.5 years of payoff. -Now that's a good deal.
I only drive 5k miles a year so with cheap gas it'd take me over 25 years.
Posted by bobby | January 29, 2009 7:56 AM
Posted on January 29, 2009 07:56
Can someone please explain to me why these cars get better mpg in city than in hwy?
I dont mean I doubt the numbers, but it just seams that they are very oddly obtained.
The only way I can think of is that.. the batteries are at top, the you start the city test... for some time (or in some %) the electrical engine will help the gasoline one... But if you dont count the amount of energy that went to the batteries before start, its just plain CHEATING. Its exactly the same of saying the some (100%) electric car does infinite mpg.
On the other hand, wind drag on hwy would be higher, than costing you more fuel... (supposing that the path is long enough so the battery previous charge dont help that much (%))
Anyway, if any one could explain it to me.
Thanks
Posted by Rafael | January 29, 2009 11:39 AM
Posted on January 29, 2009 11:39
I have spent 1/2 of a day in a rented Ford Fusion and have to say it is a nice car. I was surprised, as I did not pay much attention to it before. Very comfortable ride and appears to be built well too. The only drawback (IMHO) were the ancient green gauges and prehistoric design of the radio.
Posted by DuDe | January 29, 2009 12:18 PM
Posted on January 29, 2009 12:18
@ Rafael
"Fusion Hybrid travels up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode"
No gas in the city until the battery is low.
Posted by Sandman | January 29, 2009 12:20 PM
Posted on January 29, 2009 12:20
i am surprised Ford isn't crying for money yet. Ford do yourself a favor and sell or axe Mercury already its clear your never going to bring back its flagship car the Mercury Cougar
Posted by mickk | January 29, 2009 1:34 PM
Posted on January 29, 2009 13:34
@Sandman
OK, but its just a WRONG way of measuring. To put it simply, the test CAN'T get the same results twice (in a roll).
After a some miles, the gas engine will not only be responsible for moving the car but also for recharging the battery, the its MPG will drop drastically..
I dont know much about the EPA city cycle, but the way I am seeing it, with you put enough battery in a hybrid to make it run the whole cycle only on it... Well, you would have a 10^10 (read infinite) MPG rating...
This is just insane... A simple test would prove it wrong, fill up the tank, drive only in city while that tank lasts...see the amount of miles... Do the same, but only hwy... I would bet, hwy numbers would be the same or (more probably) higher than city.
I would suggest a change... OR you account for the amount of fuel (or equivalent) that went to charge the batteries before the test, OR you start the test with the batteries completely empty.
Posted by Rafael | January 30, 2009 10:23 AM
Posted on January 30, 2009 10:23
@ Rafael
I'm not sure If you are aware, But most hybrids, and I can only qualify Toyota and Ford on this, are designed so that the battery is never fully charged or discharged, most run in a range of 40% to 70% charged for reasons of longivity. Having drove an Escape hybrid I was only able to get about 1 mile on pure battery, with a speed of about 25mph before the engine kicked in, which was hardly noticable, surprisingly. The one thing I notice when I did drive it was how seemless the engine engaged, which it does fairly often but not for long periods.
Posted by T-Bone | January 30, 2009 11:37 AM
Posted on January 30, 2009 11:37
I got to see this car at our cities auto show over the weekend and I think it looks Dang Fine! I want one!
Great job Ford!
To bad most ppl will trust the Camry more because of the "Toyota" nameplate.
Fords goal: Prove this car is worth it! Im a loyal Ford guy [minus the Contour], but now its time to show the others why they should buy this over the Camry hybrid!
Good luck!
Posted by Bradford | February 4, 2009 11:10 PM
Posted on February 4, 2009 23:10