WHEELING -- A car dealers' association is suing Ford in order to get a court to rule on documentation fees.
The West Virginia Automobile and Truck Dealers Association filed a lawsuit Feb. 25 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia against Ford Motor Company, alleging the manufacturer’s policy on documentation fees violates state law.
The lawsuit states West Virginia has set a standard of $175 per vehicle purchase as a legitimate documentation fee and requires all customers to be charged the same. Ford informed dealers they were only to charge $75 or $100 depending on the documentation services rendered.
The company has also required dealers to tell customers that Ford is paying the remaining fee, which it is not, the complaint said. The association contends these actions violate state law.
The association seeks the court to rule in the issue and award the association court costs.
It is being represented by Johnnie E. Brown of Pullen, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe P.L.L.C. The case has been assigned to District Court Judge Irene M. Keely.
United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia Case No. 1:14-cv-00032-IMK
