EPA investigating Ford hybrids for mileage accuracy
Consumer Reports finds the new Fusion and C-Max have not reached their advertised fuel economy, and the EPA is now looking into it.
When Hyundai and Kia admitted to overstating EPA mileage estimates and were hit with lawsuits, many wondered who would be next to fall. It could be Ford.Just one month after the Korean automakers bungled numbers on 75 new cars, Ford is now in the agency's crosshairs for its new Fusion and C-Max Hybrid models.
Who else but Consumer Reports, which despises the automaker's MyFord Touch infotainment system, to claim that the two hybrids aren't making anywhere near their 47-mpg ratings. Both hybrids claim 47 mpg in city, highway and combined driving.
Consumer Reports, after purchasing and breaking in the two hybrids, says it has achieved an average of only 35 mpg city/41 mpg highway for the Fusion and 35/38 for the C-Max. It says other owners have reported similar disappointing results.
"Yes, the disclaimer on EPA fuel-economy labels notes that your results may differ. But the overall mpg for these C-Max and Fusion models is off by a whopping 10 and 8 mpg, respectively, or about 20 percent," the magazine said. "Our overall-mpg results are usually pretty close to the EPA's combined-mpg estimate."
The EPA is still investigating Hyundai and Kia and also is considering civil penalties for their missteps, according to Bloomberg. Ford could face similar trouble -- and lawsuits -- if the EPA determines the mileage estimates are off.
Despite common sense, the EPA relies on manufacturers to submit their fuel-economy estimates and verifies only about 15 percent of all new cars every year.
Ford says your mileage may vary.
[Source: Bloomberg via Automotive News]
Despite common sense, the EPA relies on manufacturers to submit their fuel-economy estimates and verifies only about 15 percent of all new cars every year.
Question....Who in the F--- needs the EPA ? With the input to consumers available on the Internet these days the EPA,OSHA and a host of other useless corrupt beaurocratic agencies are obsolete and should be disbanded by congress.. Oops! That would be like a rattlesnake trying to bite its own ****..
I purchased a 2013 Ford Fusion because of the gas savings claim. Two days after I bought it, I only calculated 35 mpg and took it back to the Ford dealership to find out why. They told me there was nothing wrong with the car, acted like I was crazy and it just needed time to "break in" in order to achieve the advertised mileage.
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