West Gate Ford in Youngstown awarded $11M in settlement against Ford

Associated Press

YOUNGSTOWN

Ford Motor Co. must pay nearly $2 billion in damages to thousands of dealerships, including Westgate Ford Truck Sales Inc. here, in a 2002 class-action lawsuit that said the automaker violated dealer agreements, an Ohio judge ruled Friday.

Damages are to be paid to more than 3,000 dealerships, said James Lowe, a Cleveland attorney for Westgate, which represents the class and is to receive $11.1 million.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Peter Corrigan issued the ruling based on a Feb. 11 jury determination that the company overcharged dealers for commercial trucks over an 11-year period.

“In awarding the dealers the amount of money they overpaid for trucks, the jury verdict places Westgate and the rest of the dealers in the financial position contemplated by the terms of the contract,” Lowe said.

Ford said in a statement that the company will appeal.

For the full story, and the judge's complete ruling, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.