Ford hybrid owners sue over fuel use

BY THE NUMBERS: The 2013 Ford Fusion hybrid is one the models at the centre of a court case over fuel mileage claims.

Ford in the United States is being sued by Pennsylvania car owners who say its hybrid models don't deliver on fuel-efficiency claims.

Ford's 2013 Fusion Hybrid and C-Max Hybrid models provide significantly worse fuel economy than the advertised 47 miles per gallon (5 litres per 100km), according to a complaint filed in federal court in Philadelphia.

The inaccurate representations allowed Ford to falsely claim that those models outperformed competing vehicles, according to the car owners.

''Plaintiffs are some of the tens of thousands of consumers who purchased a Fusion Hybrid or C-Max Hybrid, only to be stuck with under-performing, less valuable vehicles that inflict higher fuel costs on their owners,'' according to the complaint.

The Fusion, redesigned by Ford late last year, was the sixth best-selling model in the US through March.

Last month the model was selling from dealer lots faster and at higher prices than Toyota's Camry and Honda's Accord. The hybrid version is advertised as having many of the same features as luxury cars such as the Mercedes C350 with double the fuel economy and a sticker price that's about A$17,000 less.

Todd Nissen, a Ford spokesman, had no immediate comment on the complaint.

Ford knew or should have known that the hybrid versions of the C-Max and Fusion don't deliver advertised fuel ratings, according to the complaint.

The company uses a ''driveability'' test facility to simulate real-world conditions and both cars also come equipped with a SmartGauge on-board computer that displays current fuel economy, according to the complaint.

Ford said in December that it's talking to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about how it tests fuel economy performance on new vehicles amid reports that its hybrids fell short of mileage promises.

The Fusion and C-Max models fell 17 per cent to 21 per cent short of the promised 47 miles per gallon in tests by Consumer Reports.

The lawsuit, which seeks damages of at least US$5 million, accuses Ford of fraud and violating the state's unfair-trade practices and consumer protection laws.