A glimpse of the sun in an otherwise overcast economy? The Internal Revenue Service announced recently that taxpayers who buy a new passenger vehicle this year may be entitled to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase on their 2009 tax returns.

If you’re thinking about buying a new car, truck or SUV, this deduction could enable you to buy now and get cash back later on your tax return, an attractive incentive.

This is particularly good news for Ford shoppers. One of the industry’s most respected nameplates, Mustang, brings a sleek new entry to the table while Taurus, one of the most successful Ford cars in recent history, makes a stunning return to the showroom. The newest gas sippers, the 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, and the 2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid, share the title of the most fuel-efficient midsize sedans in America.* The distinctive new Lincoln MKZ also joins the lineup, with a look that’s hard to miss. These are a few of the Ford family highlights.

The deduction applies to any new vehicle purchased after 2/16/09 and before 1/1/10.

Naturally, there are some restrictions and exceptions. To get all the facts, contact the IRS or consult your tax advisor.**

The point is simply this: It’s a great time to buy that Ford, Lincoln or Mercury you’ve had your eye on. Visit your Ford or Lincoln Mercury Dealer for a test-drive or log onto fordvehicles.com, mercuryvehicles.com or lincoln.com to see the great lineup that could earn you a break from the IRS.

*EPA-estimated 23 city/34 hwy/27 combined mpg, Fusion S I-4 automatic and Milan I-4 automatic with Rapid Spec 101A; 41 city/36 hwy mpg, Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid. Actual mileage will vary. Midsize class per R. L. Polk & Co.

**The tax benefit to a purchaser will depend on individual tax circumstances and may be reduced or eliminated based on the purchaser's modified adjusted gross income. Customers should consult their tax advisors or the IRS to confirm processes and the amount of tax deduction that they may claim. For more information, log onto www.irs.gov.

Customers who purchase the all-new 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid or the new 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid may do more than lower fuel costs. Thanks to an IRS-approved tax credit,⁴ they may lower their tax bills too.

Mariner Hybrid is the world's most fuel-efficient SUV, delivering EPA-estimated 34 city mpg.⁵ Milan Hybrid has an EPA-estimated 41 city mpg.⁶ Plus, at speeds up to 47 miles per hour, Milan Hybrid operates in electric vehicle (EV) mode - the highest top speed of any hybrid vehicle in EV mode. On top of that, it gets over 700 miles on a tank of fuel in city driving.⁶

Both hybrid models feature a gas-electric engine that operates in the EV mode at lower speeds (up to 40 mph in Mariner Hybrid, 47 in Milan Hybrid), producing nearly zero carbon emissions because the gas engine is not engaged. Other advanced hybrid features include:

• The Regenerative Braking System captures most of the energy normally lost to friction from conventional braking and uses it to recharge the battery pack
• A sealed nickel-metal-hydride battery (330 volts for Mariner Hybrid, 275 for Milan Hybrid) boosts acceleration, and at low speeds, provides all the drive power
• Vehicle system controller (Mariner Hybrid) shuts the engine down during coasting and at stoplights to save fuel, converts the electric motor to a generator during braking to help recharge the battery pack, and helps manage powertrain-related functions
• Dual-LCD SmartGauge™ cluster with EcoGuide (Milan Hybrid) has a four-level display which provides vital vehicle information, including a feature that helps you improve fuel efficiency

⁴This information is not intended as tax advice. The tax benefit will depend on your individual tax circumstances and may be reduced or eliminated if you are subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT). As required under current law, the tax credit will begin to phase out for purchases made after March 31, 2009. Please consult your tax advisor or the IRS to confirm processes and the amount of credit that you can claim.
⁵Based on unadjusted city fuel economy from EPA (10/08) and VCA (05/08). EPA-estimated 34 city/31 hwy mpg, Mariner Hybrid FWD. Actual mileage will vary. Excludes vehicles built for Mazda.
⁶EPA-estimated 41 city/36 hwy mpg, 17.5-gallon fuel tank, Milan Hybrid. Actual mileage will vary.

They're sleek, sophisticated and impressively fuel efficient. The new I-4-equipped 2010 Milan delivers best-in-class highway mpg among midsize sedans.³ The all-new 2010 Milan Hybrid gets 41 mpg in the city and has better fuel economy than Toyota Camry Hybrid.³ Both Milan models have a roomy interior and advanced available features to help you stay connected with what's happening on the road and in the world around you.

There's the available voice-activated Navigation System with integrated SIRIUS Travel Link™.² In addition to turn-by-turn voice guidance, it provides real-time traffic updates, current local gas prices, movie listings, major sports team scores and more. If you like music, you'll love the available Sony® Audio System featuring Dolby® DAEP 5.1 Surround Sound with 390 watts maximum output and 12 speakers. You can even change the interior lighting to match your mood with available ambient lighting, featuring seven different colors.

The look of the 2009 Mariner has sophistication and flair. Introduced in 2005 as Mercury's entry-level, small SUV, Mariner built on the style and success of the mid-sized, four-door Mountaineer.

Designed for customers who wanted a little more than standard, small SUVs had to offer, the original Mariner delivered a high level of design sophistication, more standard features, premium interior materials and unique content in a smartly packaged, fuel-efficient model.

When you test-drive any Mercury vehicle between April 21, 2009 and June 13, 2009, Ford will donate $20 on your behalf to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, as part of their ongoing commitment to the fight against breast cancer.

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