Ford issues warning on email hoax offering $15k Fusion Hybrid
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res gallery
We imagine the world of corporate PR to be a little bit of pushing your own message and a whole lot of "We need to respond to what?" We can also only imagine how Ford's PR folks felt today when issuing a statement in response to a hoax email that has been making the rounds.
When we got an email earlier today from the "Ford Motor Company," we assumed it was the company's latest announcement on whatever. But the subject line, "Ford Motor Company OFFERS: Ford Fusion HYBRID Model 2010", seemed a bit fishy, and when we opened the email, the spamminess was unmistakable. The email claims that, because of the terrible economy, Ford would love to sell you a new Fusion Hybrid for just $15,000, or about half of the vehicles $27,270 starting price. The official response (available after the break, along with the spam email text) from Ford is that everyone should just ignore the email.
One person who's going to have a hard time ignoring the email is Gary Settles, who is named in the email as Ford Sales Manager for FoMoCo. In reality, Settles is the sales manager for Paul Miller Ford in Lexington, Kentucky. Settles told AutoblogGreen that he has "no earthly clue" how his name got attached to the email, but speculated that it could be somebody local because of some of the wording in the email that matches letters he sends out to people who've purchased cars from him in the past.
Oh, and if you're curious, Settles will indeed sell you a Fusion Hybrid, but the models he has available are more in the $30,000 price rage.
[Source: Ford, Gary Settles]
When we got an email earlier today from the "Ford Motor Company," we assumed it was the company's latest announcement on whatever. But the subject line, "Ford Motor Company OFFERS: Ford Fusion HYBRID Model 2010", seemed a bit fishy, and when we opened the email, the spamminess was unmistakable. The email claims that, because of the terrible economy, Ford would love to sell you a new Fusion Hybrid for just $15,000, or about half of the vehicles $27,270 starting price. The official response (available after the break, along with the spam email text) from Ford is that everyone should just ignore the email.
One person who's going to have a hard time ignoring the email is Gary Settles, who is named in the email as Ford Sales Manager for FoMoCo. In reality, Settles is the sales manager for Paul Miller Ford in Lexington, Kentucky. Settles told AutoblogGreen that he has "no earthly clue" how his name got attached to the email, but speculated that it could be somebody local because of some of the wording in the email that matches letters he sends out to people who've purchased cars from him in the past.
Oh, and if you're curious, Settles will indeed sell you a Fusion Hybrid, but the models he has available are more in the $30,000 price rage.
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
[Source: Ford, Gary Settles]
FORD STATEMENT:
STATEMENT ON FORD FUSION HYBRID EMAIL HOAX
An email claiming Ford Motor Company is offering 2010 Fusion Hybrids for $15,000 each as part of a special program is not legitimate. The email sender does not represent Ford and no such program exists. We recommend people receiving the email delete it without opening the attachment.
HOAX EMAIL:
Dear Mr/Ms,
Due to the World Economy Recession, Ford Motor Company, Inc undergo a statistic fall in Sales and result in a drastic financial crisis this last season.
The United States Government has given us the opportunity to bounce back on our feet, but unfortunately we have not achieved the fund necessary.
Therefore, we offer you the opportunity to purchase a very good Auto at half of the price. We decided to pull the sales of 500 cars at a very low price for us to aquire the capital needed to bounce back in business and to use this medium to increase the scale of our valued customers.
We offer Ford Fusion HYBRID Model 2010:
Pricing Information: $15,500
Vehicle Features:
Transmission: Aisin Powersplit eCVT Auto
Package: HYBRID
Model: High Version
Engine: 2.5L Atkinson I4
Exterior: White Platinum Tri-Coat Met
Interior: Charcoal Black
VIN: 3FADP0L34AR136254 (more information in the file attached)
The payment shall be made in installments through the bank at 1 month after signing the contract.
If you are interested in this offer please fill out the contact form, A representative will contact you about this vehicle within five business day.
Sincerely,
Gary Settles,
Ford Sales Manager
Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48126
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Quantumphysics 4:51PM (5/15/2009)
Email fraud artists should be found, Waterboarded and quickly executed.
Reply
ken 5:22PM (5/16/2009)
I wonder how many Ford could have sold this week if it was legit!! Maybe it's a test balloon to see the potential sales number. I do think that the government could recoup a lot of money with this idea. Pick up the car yourself at the plant and it's even better.
Hope the automakers are watching!
Reply