By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co. will pay $19.2 Million to settle allegations that it misrepresented real-world fuel economy for certain hybrids and pickup trucks.

The covers 2013–2014 C-Max hybrids and 2011–2014 Super Duty pickups. Ford reduced the C-Max hybrid’s advertised fuel efficiency ratings by seven miles per gallon in 2013 and issued $550 checks to its owners to compensate for the fuel cost difference.

“For years, Ford advertised impressive fuel economy and payload capacity for its cars and trucks,” Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said. Unfortunately, the figures weren’t based on reality. Customers were left with vehicles that fell short of their requirements.

Ford was required to disclose false and misleading claims regarding the fuel economy, payload, or performance of the new vehicle in the settlement with the District of Columbia. Ford has not admitted any wrongdoing in the settlement. Ford did not respond immediately to a request to comment.

Ford misrepresented the distance consumers could drive on one tank of gas, asserted driving style would not influence vehicles’ real-world fuel economy and claimed superior real-world fuel economy compared to other hybrids, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.

Platkin said Ford ran deceptive advertisements called the “Hybrid Games” that were narrated like an Olympic sport that depicted the Ford C-Max outperforming the Toyota Prius in a series of videos.

Ford used a misleading method to claim the “Best In Class” payload after rival trucks had exceeded Ford’s.

“In calculating the maximum payload capacity of its vehicles, the investigation found, Ford employed a truck configuration it did not actually intend to sell to individual buyers – one that omitted such standard items as the spare wheel, tire and jack, radio, and center console (which was replaced by a mini-console),” Platkin said.

Ford could therefore increase its maximum payload capacity on the Super Duty truck’s Super Duty by adding more pounds. Ford is now a ‘Best in Class’ when it comes to payload.