Following the very negative review given to the Ford Fusion and C-Max hybrids, by Consumer Reports regarding their claimed efficiency figures which just weren`t realistic in real world driving conditions, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has announced that it will be reviewing the figures.
Ford claims that both hybrid models can average 47 mpg (5.00 l/100km), yet the Consumer Reports reviewer never even got close to that figure, with the Fusion achieving 39 mpg (6.03 l/100km), which represents a 17% discrepancy, while the C-Max fared even worse, averaging 37 mpg (6.35 l/100km), which is 21% down.
It seems that it is a trend for manufacturers to now overstate their ‘green’ cars’ efficiency numbers, because as it was discussed here, people buy cars based on irrelevant ad campaigns and fuel efficiency numbers, and if both of those are good, than as an automaker selling hybrids, you are set!
This doesn`t make the Fusion and C-Max hybrids worse cars, because both are still excellent and class-leading in every respect, but Ford's credibility will not get through this unscathed.
Story via autonews.com
It seems that it is a trend for manufacturers to now overstate their ‘green’ cars’ efficiency numbers, because as it was discussed here, people buy cars based on irrelevant ad campaigns and fuel efficiency numbers, and if both of those are good, than as an automaker selling hybrids, you are set!
This doesn`t make the Fusion and C-Max hybrids worse cars, because both are still excellent and class-leading in every respect, but Ford's credibility will not get through this unscathed.
Story via autonews.com