Nebraska to receive $260,000 from Ford deceptive advertising settlement

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Ford Motor Company owes $19.2 million after a multistate settlement regarding claims that it falsely advertised the fuel economy and payload capacity of some of its models.

As part of the settlement, Nebraska will receive $260,112.63.

Ford is accused of falsely advertising the real-world fuel economy of the model C-Max hybrids produced between 2013 and 2014 and the payload capacity of its Super Duty pickup trucks made from 2011 to 2014.

During an investigation, state attorneys general found that Ford made several misleading representations about 2013–14 C-Max hybrids, including:

• Misrepresenting the distance consumers could drive on one tank of gas
• Marketing that driving style would not impact real-world fuel economy
• Claiming superior real-world fuel economy compared to other hybrids

A series of advertisements called the “Hybrid Games” were narrated like an Olympic sporting event and depicted the C-Max outperforming the Prius.

The attorneys general allege that the videos deceptively characterized the C-Max vehicles as offering superior real-world fuel economy and driving performance.

The C-Max hybrid was initially promoted as getting 47 mpg in the city and on highways. In 2013, and again in 2014, Ford had to lower the marketed fuel economy, eventually to 42 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

The attorneys general also investigated Ford’s “Best-in-Class” payload claims about its Super Duty pickup trucks.

Those trucks include the F-250, F-350 and F-450 models.

The AGs allege that Ford’s methodology for calculating maximum payload capacity was based on a hypothetical truck configuration that omitted standard items such as the spare wheel, tire, jack, and center flow console and radio.

Although advertised as available to all customers, only fleet customers could order the special configuration.