WASHINGTON — Ford Motor Co. has agreed to pay $19.2 million to resolve allegations it falsely marketed real-world gasoline economic system and payload capability for some hybrids and pickup vans, the Iowa Lawyer Common’s Workplace stated Tuesday.
The multi-state settlement covers 2013–2014 C-Max hybrids and 2011–2014 Tremendous Obligation pickups. In 2013, Ford lowered the marketed gasoline economic system rankings on its C-Max hybrid by as much as 7 mpg and despatched checks to house owners of $550 to make up the distinction in gasoline prices.
“For years, Ford marketed spectacular gasoline economic system and payload capability for its automobiles and vans,” Iowa Lawyer Common Tom Miller stated. “Sadly, these figures weren’t primarily based in actuality, leaving clients with autos that didn’t meet their requirements.”
The settlement, with 40 states and the District of Columbia, prohibits Ford from making false or deceptive promoting claims in regards to the estimated gasoline economic system or payload capability of a brand new motorized vehicle. Ford didn’t admit wrongdoing as a part of the settlement. Ford didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Ford misrepresented the gap customers might drive on one tank of fuel, asserted driving type wouldn’t affect autos’ real-world gasoline economic system and claimed superior real-world gasoline economic system in comparison with different hybrids, Performing New Jersey Lawyer Common Matthew Platkin stated.
Platkin stated Ford ran misleading ads referred to as the “Hybrid Video games” that have been narrated like an Olympic sport that depicted the Ford C-Max outperforming the Toyota Prius in a collection of movies.
The states allege that Ford used a misleading methodology for reclaiming the “Finest in Class” payload capability after different vans had surpassed Ford.
“In calculating the utmost payload capability of its autos, the investigation discovered, Ford employed a truck configuration it didn’t really intend to promote to particular person consumers – one which omitted such commonplace gadgets because the spare wheel, tire and jack, radio, and middle console (which was changed by a mini-console),” Platkin stated.
Consequently, “Ford was in a position so as to add further kilos to the utmost advertisable payload capability of its Tremendous Obligation truck — simply sufficient for Ford to reclaim the title of ‘Finest-in-Class’ for payload.”