Venezuela Officials Seek Explorer Ban

Venezuela’s consumer protection agency asked the attorney general to seek a nationwide ban on sales of Ford Motor Co.’s Explorer, saying design flaws may have caused 50 road accidents since August.

Agency president Samuel Ruh met with prosecutors to submit what he says is evidence that failing parts in Explorers contributed to 50 crashes, which have killed 37 people since August.

Ruh confirmed that he had formally asked the attorney general to seek a ban on Explorer sales, following up on a promise last week, but he declined to comment further.

A source at the attorney general’s office, speaking on condition of anonymity, said an initial study indicates that prosecutors have no legal authority to act on Ruh’s request.

Ford President Emmanuel Cassingena accused the agency of leading a “biased” investigation in a “delicate case.” He declined to say how Ford would respond if a ban is imposed.