2010 Ford Fusion hybrid earns full $3,400 federal tax credit
Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
In the market for a fuel-sipping mid-size sedan? Now, and for a limited time only, buyers of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid will be eligible for the $3,400 federal tax credit for hybrid vehicles. Late last year, Ford hit the magic 60,000 limit on individual hybrid sales that's been imposed by the Feds, so the tax credit for all of the Blue Oval's hybrid machines will be halved beginning on April 1st. Beginning in October, the credit will again be cut in half to $850 and the entire amount will be gone starting January 1st of 2010.
Tax credit or not, the 2010 Fusion Hybrid's EPA rating of 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway bests the Toyota Camry Hybrid by a whopping eight mpg in the city and two mpg on the highway. For what it's worth, hybrid tax credits for Toyota (and Honda, for that matter) have already expired.
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
[Source: AutoblogGreen]
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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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Kumail 7:13PM (1/28/2009)
although the taillights aren't my taste, i think it would be car i would definitely consider if i was looking for a family car.
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Nick 7:15PM (1/28/2009)
This car is not getting the press it deserves...
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Timsvtgen1 7:37PM (1/28/2009)
Yea, as with most all the other Fords...heh.
P.V. 9:07PM (1/28/2009)
I completely agree. If Toyota was able to do this with the Camry Hybrid, the press would be all over it; here, Ford is doing it, yet no one (in the mainstream) seems to care. It's an amazing car, but it hasn't been that well-publicized yet; tax credit or not, lack of advertising will ultimately hurt sales (as shown by GM's new model sales (except for the Malibu, Enclave, and CTS; think Astra, G8, Aura)).
Sea Urchin 10:23PM (1/28/2009)
@ Nick
"Tax credit or not, the 2010 Fusion Hybrid's EPA rating of 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway bests the Toyota Camry Hybrid by a whopping eight mpg in the city and two mpg on the highway."---------------I think Ford can do something very deadly in here. Both Camry and Accord are brand new, neither will be redesigned for 4-5 years, so it is possible that for the next 4-5 year both Accord and Camry will be losing to Fusion in MPG. That will give Camcord a run for its money. I think that Camry and Accord great cars, but just look at their MPG ratings, Accord (manual 2.4) gets 22 in the city, that is SUV like fuel economy. The car is great, AMAZING interior, in fact leather trim accord is better than Buick, just an absolutely amazing car but that mileage is a killer.
Ligor 10:25PM (1/28/2009)
definitely
i didn't know it went on sale already - I thought it was coming this spring.
But, Obama should extend the full $3400 for all American cars until the economy has improved. definitely will give it an advantage over the Camry (considering it is better that the Camry)
We do have the new Camry coming out soon, so I don't know if the Fusion will remain the mpg king after that
in about 2 years i'd be ready for a new car and this would not be a bad choice, but it would mean i'd give my my rwd
Sea Urchin 10:28PM (1/28/2009)
PV you are saying that press is not all over it, but then you are saying that Ford will not advertise it.
If the parent itself won't promote the product, why should anyone else.
Plus, the press is to busy writing about Volt and how it will save GM. LOL
Judy Zik 12:49AM (1/29/2009)
Not much point in promoting the Hybrid model. They probably wont be able to build enough to keep up with demand anyway thanks to Toyota's dirty tricks with key parts suppliers. Too bad because this car is way better than the Camry Hybrid. I would expect the regular Fusion will have a pretty big ad campaign but that wont hit the airwaves until the cars are on the lot.
Emil 7:24PM (1/28/2009)
What a great looking car.
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Jim 7:33PM (1/28/2009)
yeah, I think it looks far better in person than it does in most photos. For some reason, the big honkin' grille isn't as prominent as it is in photographs.
Conundrum 7:31PM (1/28/2009)
That would put you at about $24k at sticker price with the credit. Who knows, with the economy in the tank, you may even get one under sticker price. Not bad for 41mpg city in midsize sedan!
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Frank 7:48PM (1/28/2009)
Get rid of the bling front grill.
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Bill E 7:49PM (1/28/2009)
"bests the Toyota Camry Hybrid by a whopping eight mpg in the city and two mpg on the highway."
Except the 'real world' driving tests done by c&d proved that Fusion Hybrid and Camry Hybrid get about the same MPG.
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Jim 7:54PM (1/28/2009)
yeah, well, C&D's numbers don't go on the Monroney :p
Matthew 10:16PM (1/28/2009)
Untrue and you know it...Link, perhaps. Lets not be one of those that just simply makes bold incorrect statements without supporting facts.
Hamud 8:16PM (1/28/2009)
AutoblogGreen achieved better mileage than EPA ratings.
Kwirky 2:10AM (1/29/2009)
Links are easy: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/01/06/car-and-driver-hosts-hybrid-hoedown-hearts-ford-fusion-heaps/ it's proving your point that's difficult.
Autoblog Green on C&D: "They got 34 mpg from it over 300 miles of various types of driving (we managed 43.1 mpg) which was 2 mpg better than the Toyota."
Matt 8:01PM (1/28/2009)
It would take a lot more than $3,400 to get me into one of those.
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Yaroukh 8:09PM (1/28/2009)
yes, a brain in first place
no. 10:21PM (1/28/2009)
surprise! domestic hate from matt!