Ford Unit Probed Over Leasing Practices

Consumers in Florida and 21 other states may have been tricked into paying thousands of dollars too much for vehicles purchased after leasing deals with Ford Motor Co.’s credit unit, Florida Atty. Gen. Bob Butterworth said. Officials said Florida and Illinois were examining Ford Motor Credit’s Red Carpet leasing program, in which the unit of Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford provides leasing services and products to Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers. Ford Motor Credit said it was aware that Florida and Illinois have been investigating early lease termination practices and that it has cooperated fully in the investigations.