Ford of Canada expands clunker incentive program

Ford Motor Co's Canadian arm said on Friday it would give consumers up to C$3,000 ($2,970) toward the purchase of a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle if they turn in a 2003 model-year vehicle or one that is older.

The company has been offering its "Recycle Your Ride" incentive program since September, but in the past it applied to trade-ins from 1995 or older.

Ford said that up to 60 percent of the vehicles on the road in Canada will now qualify for its program.

The new incentives start on May 1 and build on the federal government's "Retire Your Ride" program, which gives C$300 to people who want to turn in a vehicle that is at least 15 years old.

Those who qualify for the program will receive C$1,000 toward the purchase of a new Ford car or compact truck, C$2,000 toward a new Ford full-size sedan, crossover or sport utility vehicle and C$3,000 toward a new Ford full-size truck or Lincoln.

Ford Canada said it has so far retired more than 6,000 high polluting vehicles through its "Recycle Your Ride" program.