Highlights of Ford's announcement: Owners will get $550; C-Max combined mpg now 43

August 15, 2013 01:00 AM

Details on Ford's restatement of the 2013 C-Max Hybrid's fuel-economy rating, announced Thursday:

• The C-Max Hybrid's combined city/highway rating will be lowered by 4 mpg to 43 mpg. The city rating will go to 45 mpg from 47 mpg; the highway rating will go to 40 mpg from 47 mpg.

• Ford says it never tested the C-Max originally. It used Fusion Hybrid testing instead, under a provision of EPA rules. Ford will now test the C-Max separately. The Fusion Hybrid will keep its 47 mpg rating.

• C-Max buyers will get $550 in "goodwill" payments; lessees will get $325.

Ford has sold about 32,000 C-Max Hybrids; product development chief Raj Nair declined to estimate the total cost of Ford's compensation payments.
Existing customers will be notified by mail, and Ford is working with dealers to re-label vehicles on dealer lots.
Customers with questions can contact the Ford Customer Relationship Center at http://corporate.ford.com/owner-services/customer-support/contact-ford or 800-392-3673.

Separately, the EPA said it will update the test procedures used to assign fuel-economy ratings "to ensure that the requirements keep pace with industry trends and innovations in advanced high-efficiency vehicles."