Ford, Others Refuse to Appear Before Funds

Ford Motor Co. and eight other automobile makers have refused to appear before California’s pension funds to answer questions about a lawsuit they filed challenging the state’s new greenhouse-gas emission rules.

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, which own almost $1 billion in automaker stock, had written to the nine companies and demanded that representatives travel to Sacramento on Feb. 14 to explain why the funds shouldn’t use their clout as large investors to try to force the companies to abide by the new law.

A group representing automakers including General Motors Corp. and Ford declined to appear, citing its pending lawsuit against the state over rules to cut carbon dioxide emissions.