Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had any info on the FEH sales numbers reported to the IRS for 4th Qtr 2007. Normally...the IRS issues a Press release stating the number sold that qtr and the total hybrids sold, etc.

As you know, the IRS will start reducing the credit 2 Qtrs AFTER Ford sells its 60,000th hybrid. As of the qtr ending sept 07, Ford had sold 38,xxx hybrids. That put them on track to sell their sixty thousandth in either 3rd or 4th qtr 08. I'd really hope it's 4th qtr sao I can buy in 09 and get the tax credit in 09 vs 08. Anyways, just wondering if anyone knew.

I monitor the "dashboard" on hybridcars.com....but that doesn't match the numbers Ford gives to the IRS for some reason.

Can anyone help?

Nate

The IRS only counts consumer sold FEH/MMH. Those sold for Fleet purposes don't count in this case. I think this is why there is a difference in the numbers.

I am not aware of sales numbers at this time.

I think there is conflicting information.

Is it not true the IRS is going to give 60,000 CREDITS....
This number is not directly tied to sales.

Thus, there can be 80,000 sales, if only 75% claim the credit.
( maybe fleets or commercial users are exempt? )
Thus looking at sales is not a good way to monitor this.

They make about 20,000 cars per year, so the number made and sold is over 60,000 right now.

I suspect probably 38,000+ credits have been issued.

Hey,

It's 60,000 total hybrid sales by a mfr since the law went into effect Jan 1, 2006. (The 2005 sales do not count). That's why toyo reaced the limit so quickly...Prius+Highlander+Camry hybrids.

For Ford, It's the Escape and Mariner (and Fusion hybrid) if they sell any in time. (But I reckon they have to sell some before FEH sales reach 60k...which should be Fall '08).

I'm looking to replace my wife's car and don't think theres any shame in taking a $3000 tax credit to do so. But I need the credits to hold out just a bit....we won't qualify 2008 tax year...but will in 2009.

Last PR was in Oct 2007 when Ford claimed they sold 38,743 hybrids from Jan 1, 2006 to Sept 30, 2007.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/...175139,00.html

From IRS.gov:

"Consumers seeking the credit may want to buy early since the full credit is only available for a limited time. Taxpayers may claim the full amount of the allowable credit up to the end of the first calendar quarter after the quarter in which the manufacturer records its sale of the 60,000th hybrid or advance lean burn technology. For the second and third calendar quarters after the quarter in which the 60,000th vehicle is sold, taxpayers may claim 50 percent of the credit. For the fourth and fifth calendar quarters, taxpayers may claim 25 percent of the credit. No credit is allowed after the fifth quarter"

Nate

Okay... sounds more reasonable when you exclude the 2005's.

http://media.ford.com/newsroom/relea...?release=27790

According to this press release (and a little basic math), Ford sold 14,670 FEHs in 2007 and 759 in January 2008. There's no indication if this includes Fleet sales or if it includes the MMH and MTH sales.

The credit is based on the number of units reported to the IRS by Ford as retail sales to dealers. Ford sends a report to the IRS every quarter, stating the total number of qualifying vehicles that were sold as "retail" units to dealers during the previous quarter, as well as the total number sold since January 1, 2006. The IRS has provided Ford with the parameters of what units to report as "retail".

Bottom line--it sounds like the FEH 2009 will be available while the full credit is in effect.

Julian

I wonder why it's taking so long to get this information. Hopefully we'll see an IRS update soon.

Through June 2007 qualifying sales had reached about 33500. Gross sales for the rest of the year were 11339 but it's hard to say how many qualify under the IRS guideline. If I had to guess I'd say we should see 43500 through the end of '07. At that rate, we could see 60000 by the 4th quarter of this year. Maybe sooner? Hard to say.