<div id="subtitle">Ford's Escape model now eligible for Japan tax incentive for green vehicles</div><div><p>Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday that it's Escape sports utility model has qualified for Japanese government incentives for green vehicles, following criticism that the program was shutting out American automakers.</p><p>Ford Japan said Escape, a small SUV, is now part of the Japanese government cash-for-clunkers program, launched last year to boost sales during a slowdown that has hurt Japanese automakers.</p><p>Escape is the first American model in the program, which was dominated by Japanese vehicles, according to a list of eligible cars published by the Transport Ministry. Mercedes Benz and Volvo were the only foreign automakers approved by the program.</p><p>With the purchase of an Escape, customers now can receive a 250,000-yen ($2,760) tax break, the company said in a statement.</p><p>Japan began offering perks for energy-efficient vehicles such as zero or lower taxes and other green subsidies last year. Hybrids have been the biggest beneficiary of the policy, though gasoline-engine models are also eligible.</p><p>Escape was also among the top five sellers under clunkers in a similar rebate program in the U.S. last year, which helped Ford cut costly incentives and raise production.</p><p>Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford, the only of the top three U.S. automakers to escape direct government aid and bankruptcy court, reported third-quarter net income of $997 million and predicted a profitable 2011.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=68379480&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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