WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service announced that purchasers of qualified Ford Motor Company vehicles may continue to claim the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit. Also, four qualifying 2008 Ford hybrid vehicles were announced.

The announcement comes after the IRS concluded its quarterly review of the number of hybrid vehicles sold. Ford sold 5,645 qualifying vehicles to retail dealers during the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2006. This brings the total number of Ford qualifying hybrids reported to date to 22,156.

Purchasers of Ford’s qualified vehicles may continue to rely on the previously issued IRS certifications concerning the vehicles’ qualification for the credit. However, those seeking the credit should remember that the full credit may be available only for a limited time.

The credit amount and make and model of previously certified vehicles sold are:

• Ford Escape 2WD, Model Years 2005, 2006 and 2007 — $2,600
• Ford Escape 4WD, Model Years 2005, 2006 and 2007 — $1,950
• Mercury Mariner 4WD, Model Years 2006 and 2007 — $1,950

IRS also certified additional 2008 Ford vehicles for the following credit amounts:

• Ford Escape 2WD Hybrid Model Year 2008 — $3,000
• Mercury Mariner 2WD Hybrid Model Year 2008 — $3,000
• Ford Escape 4WD Hybrid Model Year 2008 — $2,200
• Mercury Mariner 4WD Hybrid Model year 2008 — $2,200

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 vehicle. 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.