Ford to lower fuel economy rating on C-Max hybrid

"FJ80WaitinForaLSV8" (fj80waitinforalsv8)
08/15/2013 at 12:51 • Filed to: Ford, C-Max

Per Automotive News, Ford will announce tomorrow that is lowering the fuel economy rating of its C-Max hybrid. Unclear how much pressure EPA placed on Ford to do this.

As many may recall Hyundai/Kia also lowered its ratings on four of its models last November. This decision was forced by EPA's discovery of improperly calculated fuel economy numbers. It is unclear if EPA had a similar finding in the case of Ford.

Ford has also faced two class action lawsuits which were filed against the company on behalf of consumers who alleged that Ford misled them with artificially high fuel economy claims.

Article makes no mention if they are doing the same for the Fusion hybrid which has faced similar complaints.

http://www.autonews.com/article/201308…

DISCUSSION (6)

Victorious Secret > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
08/15/2013 at 13:18

Automakers playing by the rules that the EPA put in place and the EPA turns around and starts bitching when they do just that.

HammerheadFistpunch > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
08/15/2013 at 13:22

to be honest, you kind of had to be an idiot to fall for Fords numbers, even if they were calculated correctly. Counterpoint; there are LOTS of idiots and many of them buy hybrids.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Victorious Secret
08/15/2013 at 13:25

The testing system is certainly flawed. Especially for hybrids. I'm somewhat surprised EPA didn't address it when it wrote the rules for the 2017-2025 fuel economy standards.

Victorious Secret > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
08/15/2013 at 13:26

I get why they don't test every, they can't, but telling automakers that they can perform tests on their own and report the numbers is just begging for games.

I don't blame Ford or Hyundai or anyone else who will get caught up in this mess.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Victorious Secret
08/15/2013 at 13:28

Sorry I wasn't referring to the fact that the OEMs test the cars themselves (although I 100% agree with you assessment) rather I was referring to the way automakers can easily tune their hybrid systems to "play" to the testing procedure.

Dean > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
08/15/2013 at 15:22

I've personally gotten 51MPG in a C-Max going from York to Harrisburg and back. Quit your whining. My customer who bought one on Saturday has an average of 46 when we talked yesterday. It's doable, just games at this point.