Ford of Canada partners with Clean Air Foundation to give C4C-like incentives

Cash for Clunkers helped all automakers move some metal during the month of August and now Ford is looking to capture lightning in a bottle up in the Great White North. Ford of Canada is working with the Clean Air Foundation to provide incentives of up to $3,000 for vehicles 15 years or older. Three hundred of those dollars would come from the Canadian government as part of its Retire Your Ride program.

The plan sounds good based solely on its ability to save customers up to $3,000 per clunker, but info from NRCan's Fuel Consumption Guide for Canada shows that the program will also save you big at the pump. Replace the typical sedan from 1995 with a 2010 Ford Fusion 2.5L and save $325 per year in fuel prices.Things look even better if you're driving an SUV from and you trade it in for a FWD 2010 Ford Escape 2.5L as you can shed $975 per year at the pump. The move is also good for the environment, as the Clean Air Foundation states that the average vehicle from 1995 emits 19 times more pollutants than a comparably sized 2004 model.

Here is how the incentives break down. The government's Retire Your Ride program offers $300, transit passes, discounts on bicycles and more to the owners of 1995 model year vehicles or older who turn in a clunker. The Blue Oval will pitch in $1,000 towards the purchase of a Ford car, $2,000 towards a crossover or SUV or $3,000 towards a Ford truck or Lincoln vehicle. Hit the jump to pour over the press release, and if you're a Canadian interested in the program, rules and regulations are at the bottom.

PRESS RELEASE:

RECYCLE YOUR RIDE AND GET UP TO $3,300 TOWARD A NEW FORD

Company partners with Clean Air Foundation to provide Canadians with one more reason to get older vehicles off the road

OAKVILLE, Ont., September 2, 2009 – Starting September 3, consumers turning in 15-year-old (or older) vehicles for recycling will get up to $3,000 toward the purchase of a new vehicle from the Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, the company announced today. Ford's scrappage program builds on the Canadian government's Retire Your Ride initiative which offers $300 and other benefits to eligible participants.

"No one is offering more incentive to 'Recycle Your Ride' than Ford," said David Mondragon, president and CEO, Ford of Canada. "People who might otherwise not be able to buy a new car can now afford the latest in vehicle safety, fuel economy and smart technology."

Based on fuel consumption values from NRCan's Fuel Consumption Guide for Canada:

* an average driver who moves from a typical 1995 model year mid-size car to a 2010 Ford Fusion 2.5L could save approximately $370 a year on fuel, and;
* an average driver who moves from a typical 1995 model year SUV to a 2010 Ford Escape 2.5L FWD could save approximately $940 a year on fuel.

According to the Clean Air Foundation, on average, a 1995 model year or older car emits 19 times more smog-forming emissions than a 2004 or newer car. The government's Retire Your Ride program offers $300, transit passes, discounts on bicycles and more to the owners of 1995 model year vehicles or older who turn in their clunkers to be permanently retired.

Anyone who participates in this government program and who buys a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle qualifies for the Ford Recycle Your Ride program of $1,000 toward the purchase of a new Ford car or compact truck, $2,000 toward the purchase of a new Ford crossover or sport utility vehicle and $3,000 toward the purchase of a new Ford truck or Lincoln vehicle.

"Having Ford as our newest incentive partner means offering Canadians another great reward for choosing clean air and seeing their old car off the road," said Fatima Dharsee, executive director of Clean Air Foundation, national delivery agent for Retire Your Ride. "Retire Your Ride participants will be able to receive their incentive quickly, right at a Ford dealership. This simple and easy process is just one more reason for Canadians to participate in Retire Your Ride."

In partnership with the Clean Air Foundation, the Ford Recycle Your Ride program is also available to the approximately 14,000 Canadians who have already participated in Retire Your Ride since the program started in February. Retire Your Ride participants can simply bring their government-issued ID to their local Ford dealer and the dealer will confirm their eligibility, in order to receive up to $3,000 toward the purchase of a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle.

Here is all consumers have to do:

* If you own a 1995 or older running vehicle that has been properly registered and insured for the last six months (12 months in B.C.), just visit your closest Ford dealer to confirm your eligibility under the government's Retire Your Ride program. Within two business days you will have a confirmation of your eligibility for up to $3,300 in incentives.
* Or, if you have already retired your ride with the Clean Air Foundation and the Retire Your Ride program, you automatically qualify for Ford's Recycle Your Ride incentives.
* Go to your closest Ford dealer and purchase or lease your new Ford or Lincoln vehicle and receive the Recycle Your Ride incentive, over and above current incentives.

"This market stimulus puts more disposable income back in the hands of hard working Canadians who need help in today's economy. It's a win-win-win for the consumer, the economy and the environment," said Mondragon.