How many ordered?

[M.R.]

Does anyone have any idea how many FFH's were ordered on or before March 31?

[Grey]

Not sure, but I heard there were over 1,000 built or on order at the end of March. Those would be stock order units and open allocation units. There were probably thousands of potential buyers that did not realize they might qualify for the $3,400 tax credit if they purchased/ordered by 3/31. If you are not web savvy, you miss opportunities.

 

The dealers outside of the high "Hybrid penetration markets" appreciated the open allocation to give their customers an opportunity to purchase and take advantage of the tax credit. Ford has extended the open allocation through June 30, as I recall.

 

This means two things to customers - qualifying for the $1,700 tax credit and getting their unit faster than they might under a strict regional allocation system. I believe that is still one of the highest tax credit amounts being offered on a new Hybrid vehicle.

 

Delaying the open allocation cut off also means that customers on the fence will have a chance to see the feedback from buyers, explore the Fusion and Milan offerings, and perhaps even get to test drive a Hybrid before purchasing/ordering one. The $1,700 tax credit goes thru September. I have a few friends that are waiting to drive mine before ordering theirs, so I hope I get mine soon. :headspin:

[M.R.]

Grey,

 

Thanks for the info.

We ordered ours on March 30. And we keep looking at other dealers as they get one in. None, has the exact color with the package we want.

Of course, I know We'll have to wait or loose $1700.00 of the $3400.00 tax credit.

Thank again for the info.

[WPWoodJr]

Grey,

 

Thanks for the info.

We ordered ours on March 30. And we keep looking at other dealers as they get one in. None, has the exact color with the package we want.

Of course, I know We'll have to wait or loose $1700.00 of the $3400.00 tax credit.

Thank again for the info.

Is that true? On March 31 I ordered a green FFH with black leather, 502a package. If a nearby dealer has that car, can't I get my dealer to swap one of his cars for that car without losing my tax credit? Or do I have to buy the ordered car to qualify?

[M.R.]

Is that true? On March 31 I ordered a green FFH with black leather, 502a package. If a nearby dealer has that car, can't I get my dealer to swap one of his cars for that car without losing my tax credit? Or do I have to buy the ordered car to qualify?

 

That's what our dealer implied to us. But if anyone else has heard anything else, I would Love to hear about it.

[Grey]

" On March 31 I ordered a green FFH with black leather, 502a package. If a nearby dealer has that car, can't I get my dealer to swap one of his cars for that car without losing my tax credit? Or do I have to buy the ordered car to qualify?"

 

Your purchase order dated 3/31 qualifies you for the $3,400 tax credit. It does not have a VIN associated with it. Your dealer can order from the factory or dealer trade to obtain the vehicle for you. If the vehicle fits your requirements (even if the specifications/options are slightly different), you can claim the full credit.

 

Dealers trade vehicles all the time to fill customers purchase orders. The IRS would not care or even think about how the dealer got you the vehicle as long as you are the first registered retail owner.

 

On the 8910 form next year, show the date you took delivery, the $3,400 credit amount and claim 100%. Don't show 3/31 as the delivery date, but keep a copy of your purchase order as that qualifies you for the full credit at 100%.

 

Enjoy!

[fsb99]

Hi, I ordered my FFH Platinum White 502a on 3/30 and have yet gotten a VIN. Is this abnormal? I read some of the members here got their VINs recently after ordering just before th 4/1 deadline. I've been bugging my dealer numerous times and they are just telling me that I'll be informed once Ford pulls the order for production. Anyone can shed some light on how many units are ordered in the last weekend of March?

[M.R.]

Hi, I ordered my FFH Platinum White 502a on 3/30 and have yet gotten a VIN. Is this abnormal? I read some of the members here got their VINs recently after ordering just before th 4/1 deadline. I've been bugging my dealer numerous times and they are just telling me that I'll be informed once Ford pulls the order for production. Anyone can shed some light on how many units are ordered in the last weekend of March?

 

We are in the same boat as you. We also ordered on March 30th, a light ice blue, package 502a. And we also keep bothering the dealer, only to be told maybe We'll know something next week. Wish I could help with the frustration, because that might mean we had an answer.

Hope someone out there can shed some light

[rtw819]

In a similar boat here as well. We put our deposit down on 3/14 and provided a driver's license at the same time, but the dealer didn't get our Hybrid Retail Order Verification email until 3/31. Do you think the dealership did not actually get our vehicle "ordered" and placed into the system until the 3/31 date?

 

As of last Friday, no status update at all yet - no VIN yet. Getting anxious, especially after getting to take one out for a test drive last week. Really looking forward to bringing ours home.

 

Don't know how much fact there is in it, but the dealer we visited for the test drive mentioned that Ford was only planning to make 20,000 Fusion & Milan 2010 hybrids. That's 5,000 less than I had read previously, but again, I have no idea where they might have gotten that information.

[aggoodin]

Be patient. It took a week to get the car "Verified" and another few weeks to get a VIN. I started the process on Feb 28th. Its finally being built this week. Ford only updates the order status on thursday evenings. So get with the dealer on fridays to see if the DORA has a VIN and a build date on it yet.

[fsb99]

Be patient. It took a week to get the car "Verified" and another few weeks to get a VIN. I started the process on Feb 28th. Its finally being built this week. Ford only updates the order status on thursday evenings. So get with the dealer on fridays to see if the DORA has a VIN and a build date on it yet.

 

When did you receive the VIN?

[WPWoodJr]

" On March 31 I ordered a green FFH with black leather, 502a package. If a nearby dealer has that car, can't I get my dealer to swap one of his cars for that car without losing my tax credit? Or do I have to buy the ordered car to qualify?"

 

Your purchase order dated 3/31 qualifies you for the $3,400 tax credit. It does not have a VIN associated with it. Your dealer can order from the factory or dealer trade to obtain the vehicle for you. If the vehicle fits your requirements (even if the specifications/options are slightly different), you can claim the full credit.

 

Dealers trade vehicles all the time to fill customers purchase orders. The IRS would not care or even think about how the dealer got you the vehicle as long as you are the first registered retail owner.

 

On the 8910 form next year, show the date you took delivery, the $3,400 credit amount and claim 100%. Don't show 3/31 as the delivery date, but keep a copy of your purchase order as that qualifies you for the full credit at 100%.

 

Enjoy!

I tried to get my dealer to swap a car for me from another dealer. They said that would most likely invalidate my order date of Mar 31 and that the IRS could easily find out. What do you think?

[aggoodin]

When did you receive the VIN?

 

Probably 3 weeks after order. I could tell you for sure but currently I can't visit my thread on Ford Fusion Club forum because I am banned.....

[Grey]

I tried to get my dealer to swap a car for me from another dealer. They said that would most likely invalidate my order date of Mar 31 and that the IRS could easily find out. What do you think?

See post #6 above. Dealer can "source" the order from anywhere. Your purchase order dated before 3/31 is your proof you "purchased" and qualifies you for the full tax credit.

 

Like I said before - dealers trade vehicles all the time. You ordered the vehicle from the dealer, where they get it for you is up to them - No IRS involvement or interest.

 

Now, what I think--- is that they knew they would have a hard time talking another dealership out of a Hybrid, or they might have to pay a premium for it. Easier to tell you that it might mess up your qualification for the credit.

[WPWoodJr]

See post #6 above. Dealer can "source" the order from anywhere. Your purchase order dated before 3/31 is your proof you "purchased" and qualifies you for the full tax credit.

 

Like I said before - dealers trade vehicles all the time. You ordered the vehicle from the dealer, where they get it for you is up to them - No IRS involvement or interest.

 

Now, what I think--- is that they knew they would have a hard time talking another dealership out of a Hybrid, or they might have to pay a premium for it. Easier to tell you that it might mess up your qualification for the credit.

Well, my dealer has a hybrid they could swap for it. I'm wondering if they would have to cancel my order with Ford if they satisfy my order through a swap, and they would get one less hybrid.

[Grey]

I'm wondering if they would have to cancel my order with Ford if they satisfy my order through a swap, and they would get one less hybrid.

Nope. They will sell the unit you ordered to someone else. That buyer will qualify for the tax credit based on their purchase order - (if they sign papers between 4/1 and 9/30 they can claim $1,700).

 

The vehicle you buy will satisfy your purchase order dated before 4/1 and you can claim the $3,400. The purchase order is not tied to a VIN - only the final sales documents.

[robm15]

Time frame for me is:

 

Ordered my FFH on 3/8/2009

DORA with order confirmed on 3/12/2009

VIN assigned 4/2/2009

Scheduled build week is week starting 4/27/2009

Anticipated delivery date is by 5/22/2009

[Mercury Milan]

Is that true?

Not according to our dealer.

[fsb99]

Time frame for me is:

 

Ordered my FFH on 3/8/2009

DORA with order confirmed on 3/12/2009

VIN assigned 4/2/2009

Scheduled build week is week starting 4/27/2009

Anticipated delivery date is by 5/22/2009

 

Thanks robm15! If I use your timeline, I won't get mine until mid June :( or worse, depending how heavy the rush was on 3/30. This is disappointing...I guess I should get my VIN sometime very soon.

[M.R.]

Not according to our dealer.

 

Just making sure I understand. Is your dealer saying you can swap cars, and not lose the $3400?

[robm15]

Thanks robm15! If I use your timeline, I won't get mine until mid June :( or worse, depending how heavy the rush was on 3/30. This is disappointing...I guess I should get my VIN sometime very soon.

 

 

Your welcome fsb99. Other info that may be interesting is that when I received my DORA on 3/12/2009 My Priority was 11. The dealership called me on 4/2/2009 to say the VIN was assigned. On 4/4/2009 the dealership called to say they had a FFH on the lot, loaded with the 502A options just like I ordered, and said if I'd like to see it and test drive it to hurry down. Needless to say I was in the car and on my way there within 30 minutes. After the test drive I asked if there were any new updates on my car, and they checked and printed me the updated DORA. That DORA showed my priority had been bumped up to 1, and the build week was 4/27/2009. I don't know if that is normal to bump the priority to a 1 once it is scheduled to build, but I was definitely excited! :headspin:

[Mercury Milan]

Just making sure I understand. Is your dealer saying you can swap cars, and not lose the $3400?

We were told that they would find the exact car that we want. We would not lose any money. He said they are on some sort of a special dealer network.

[Grey]

We were told that they would find the exact car that we want. We would not lose any money. He said they are on some sort of a special dealer network.

 

Right answer. Most dealers are on a "locater" system with Ford and some have additional group/alliances that routinely locate and trade vehicles. Remember you are buying a vehicle from a dealer (not Ford Motor Company -Ford sells vehicles to the dealers for resale.) The dealership can satisfy your order by ordering the vehicle from the assembly plant or from another dealer. The vehicle you buy doesn't have to be exactly what you ordered to satisfy the IRS for the tax credit (different options or colors are ok.)

[WPWoodJr]

Right answer. Most dealers are on a "locater" system with Ford and some have additional group/alliances that routinely locate and trade vehicles. Remember you are buying a vehicle from a dealer (not Ford Motor Company -Ford sells vehicles to the dealers for resale.) The dealership can satisfy your order by ordering the vehicle from the assembly plant or from another dealer. The vehicle you buy doesn't have to be exactly what you ordered to satisfy the IRS for the tax credit (different options or colors are ok.)

Grey, do you have any reference for this information? The IRS web site seems surprisingly unhelpful.

[Grey]

Grey, do you have any reference for this information? The IRS web site seems surprisingly unhelpful.

 

What information?

 

IRS Rules?

Dealership vehicle trades?

Substitution of vehicle after ordering?

 

The IRS site for the instructions for the 8910 form beginning in 2006 covers the issue.

I have read, and understand, the IRS rules, Ford information sent to my dealer, automotive articles written on the subject, etc.

 

Look at the 2006 and later descriptions of the tax credit claiming process at IRS.GOV.

Search for articles on Hybrid tax credit. Ask your dealer to see EFC0200873DC, EFC0200873DC and EFC0200946DC. (You may find some of these on BON or greenhybrid.com.)

 

The IRS has no information or interest in dealer to dealer vehicle trades. They only want to know when you ordered (purchased) the vehicle and when you put the vehicle you bought in service. Any substitution of vehicle (as long as they were both Hybrids) would not impact the tax claiming.