Ford to compensate Korean customers for overstated fuel efficiency

U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co. will compensate South Korean owners of vehicles for which it overstated the gas mileage, the transportation ministry said Monday.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 30 Ford vehicles sold here have been found to have worse gas mileage than advertised. This marks the first time that local consumers will be compensated over a mileage gap.

The ministry said it may fine the U.S. automaker but did not elaborate on the amount or other details.

The vehicles due for compensation are nine units of the Ford Fusion Hybrid produced between March-April 2013 and 21 units of the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid produced between November 2013 and February this year, the ministry said in a press release.

A compensation of between 1.5 million won and 2.7 million won ($1,473 and $2,651) will be paid to the owners of the vehicles through Ford Sales and Service Korea, the local importer and distributor of Ford vehicles. (Yonhap)