FORD KUGA PAYMENTS FINALISED

Most of the owners whose Ford Kuga cars caught alight have now settled with the car manufacturing company.

There were certain conditions that were to be met before claims were approved. Kuga models that caught fire – where the fire originated in the engine compartment and damaged the vehicle – and were distributed between 2014 and 2017, were able to claim.

In a statement, the National Consumer Commission reported that 47 of the 53 owners reached a payout agreement with Ford.

Three owners have decided not to accept the payout and continue with their legal fight, while the outstanding three claims were rejected because the owners could not prove that their loss fell within the conditions of the settlement agreement.

The three owners that have decided to go ahead with their intention to prove damages in court, will have to do so at their own expense.

The payout of R50,000 each comes down to about R2.5 million.

In December last year, Ford also agreed to pay a fine of R35 million for contravening the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act.

Once it became known of the defect in the Kuga’s engine, the American motor company recalled 4,500 of the same model in South Africa.

Image credit: IOL