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Firm 'deceptive'
in faulting city's finding of flaws, judge says March 16, 2004 Ford sent the brochure to law enforcement agencies across the nation after Dallas sponsored testing of a Kevlar and plastic trunk liner designed to keep items commonly used by officers from penetrating gas tanks during rear-end crashes. The Dallas tests showed that such punctures were more likely if the device was installed. Ford officials said Monday that they stand by their own testing, which they said showed the devices work, and defended the brochure's accuracy. "Deceptive is an inaccurate word, but we do not choose what words others use," said Kathleen Vokes, a Ford spokeswoman. The ruling, issued Thursday by Judge Lloyd Cueto of the 20th Judicial Circuit Court in St. Clair County, Ill., is part of a lawsuit filed by the city of Centreville, Ill., alleging that Ford's police cars are unsafe. At least 18 officers have died in fuel tank fires sparked by rear-end crashes across the nation since police began using them. Ford faces numerous lawsuits over the cars. David Perry, a plaintiffs' attorney suing Ford in Texas, Illinois and other states on behalf of numerous cities, including Dallas and Centreville, said Thursday's ruling is significant. "This is the first time any court in the country has ruled on any claims that Ford has been deceptive in its claims about the Crown Vics," Mr. Perry said. SOURCE: The Dallas Morning News (requires registration) Read more about the testing.
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