Ford issues warning on email hoax offering $15k Fusion Hybrid
by Sebastian Blanco on May 15th 2009 at 1:57PM 
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res gallery
We imagine the world of corporate PR to be a little bit of pushing your own message and a whole lot of "We need to respond to what?" We can also only imagine how Ford's PR folks felt today when issuing a statement in response to a hoax email that has been making the rounds.
When we got an email earlier today from the "Ford Motor Company," we assumed it was the company's latest announcement on whatever. But the subject line, "Ford Motor Company OFFERS: Ford Fusion HYBRID Model 2010", seemed a bit fishy, and when we opened the email, the spamminess was unmistakable. The email claims that, because of the terrible economy, Ford would love to sell you a new Fusion Hybrid for just $15,000, or about half of the vehicles $27,270 starting price. The official response (available after the break, along with the spam email text) from Ford is that everyone should just ignore the email.
One person who's going to have a hard time ignoring the email is Gary Settles, who is named in the email as Ford Sales Manager for FoMoCo. In reality, Settles is the sales manager for Paul Miller Ford in Lexington, Kentucky. Settles told AutoblogGreen that he has "no earthly clue" how his name got attached to the email, but speculated that it could be somebody local because of some of the wording in the email that matches letters he sends out to people who've purchased cars from him in the past.
Oh, and if you're curious, Settles will indeed sell you a Fusion Hybrid, but the models he has available are more in the $30,000 price rage.
[Source: Ford, Gary Settles]
When we got an email earlier today from the "Ford Motor Company," we assumed it was the company's latest announcement on whatever. But the subject line, "Ford Motor Company OFFERS: Ford Fusion HYBRID Model 2010", seemed a bit fishy, and when we opened the email, the spamminess was unmistakable. The email claims that, because of the terrible economy, Ford would love to sell you a new Fusion Hybrid for just $15,000, or about half of the vehicles $27,270 starting price. The official response (available after the break, along with the spam email text) from Ford is that everyone should just ignore the email.
One person who's going to have a hard time ignoring the email is Gary Settles, who is named in the email as Ford Sales Manager for FoMoCo. In reality, Settles is the sales manager for Paul Miller Ford in Lexington, Kentucky. Settles told AutoblogGreen that he has "no earthly clue" how his name got attached to the email, but speculated that it could be somebody local because of some of the wording in the email that matches letters he sends out to people who've purchased cars from him in the past.
Oh, and if you're curious, Settles will indeed sell you a Fusion Hybrid, but the models he has available are more in the $30,000 price rage.
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid
[Source: Ford, Gary Settles]
FORD STATEMENT:
STATEMENT ON FORD FUSION HYBRID EMAIL HOAX
An email claiming Ford Motor Company is offering 2010 Fusion Hybrids for $15,000 each as part of a special program is not legitimate. The email sender does not represent Ford and no such program exists. We recommend people receiving the email delete it without opening the attachment.
HOAX EMAIL:
Dear Mr/Ms,
Due to the World Economy Recession, Ford Motor Company, Inc undergo a statistic fall in Sales and result in a drastic financial crisis this last season.
The United States Government has given us the opportunity to bounce back on our feet, but unfortunately we have not achieved the fund necessary.
Therefore, we offer you the opportunity to purchase a very good Auto at half of the price. We decided to pull the sales of 500 cars at a very low price for us to aquire the capital needed to bounce back in business and to use this medium to increase the scale of our valued customers.
We offer Ford Fusion HYBRID Model 2010:
Pricing Information: $15,500
Vehicle Features:
Transmission: Aisin Powersplit eCVT Auto
Package: HYBRID
Model: High Version
Engine: 2.5L Atkinson I4
Exterior: White Platinum Tri-Coat Met
Interior: Charcoal Black
VIN: 3FADP0L34AR136254 (more information in the file attached)
The payment shall be made in installments through the bank at 1 month after signing the contract.
If you are interested in this offer please fill out the contact form, A representative will contact you about this vehicle within five business day.
Sincerely,
Gary Settles,
Ford Sales Manager
Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48126
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
gefinley 2:08PM (5/15/2009)
Because that email doesn't reek of spam.
Reply
guerro 4:44PM (5/15/2009)
More likely, Gary screwed someone over on a car deal and is reaping the wrath of some angry customer.
brn 2:17PM (5/15/2009)
Where do I get this $15K Fusion Hybrid?
Sign me up!
Reply
Newsletter.deposit 2:25PM (5/15/2009)
The funny thing about it is............I still wouldn't buy this ugly Ford $15,000k or not!
Reply
Yaroukh 2:41PM (5/15/2009)
ok, just try to imagine for a moment you actually have $15k
Steve 3:11PM (5/15/2009)
...and you were old enough to drive...
vwboyaf1 6:41AM (5/16/2009)
$15,000k = $15,000,000. Your right, that is too expensive.
Seminole 2:24PM (5/15/2009)
Why is it that spammers seem to be incapable of putting together coherent sentences?
Reply
Smegley 2:48PM (5/15/2009)
What's better is that Gary Settles admits he writes like this. Maybe ol' Gary is the true source of all those Nigerian Oil Company spams.
Gary, I'm still waiting for my 35% of the $22.8 million you promised. Oh yeah, and tell our mutual trusted friend I said thanks.
Steve 3:10PM (5/15/2009)
Prolly because English isn't their, um, first language!
BluePariah 2:34PM (5/15/2009)
It'll be funny when they track the IP on that email and its coming right from Settles' house or the dealership.
CAN-SPAM anyone?
(Puts on Viking helmet...)
Reply
jon 2:34PM (5/15/2009)
you know its a hoax not just because the entire email STINKS of it, but if you look at the first sentence, you will notice one issue right away:
"Due to the World Economy Recession, Ford Motor Company, Inc undergo a statistic fall in Sales and result in a drastic financial crisis this last season."
notice how all the words in "World Economy Recession" are capitalized. This is incorrect grammatically, none of those words need to be capitalized, if you wrote this in a paper for work or school, the person looking over it would think you were a moron.
i mean, come one people, im glad autoblog published this story, it was a good thing to do, but spam just makes me laugh, how anyone doesnt notice that this email was written by a moron with a 4th grade understanding of english escapes me.
Reply
Steve 3:17PM (5/15/2009)
It was probably written by a very shrewd person in a criminal enterprise somewhere in eastern Europe who doesn't speak English. And they make billions off stuff like this.
dukeisduke 2:37PM (5/15/2009)
And you make your payments to a Nigerian bank account? Riiiiiiiiight.
Reply
Yaroukh 2:43PM (5/15/2009)
"Just keep on laughing! I have already ordered mine! It is coming the very next week!"
Taglane 2:45PM (5/15/2009)
Hey- free marketing...
Reply
Level 3:07PM (5/15/2009)
This is just as bed as those cars on the web being sold for 4k and you have to use western union to pay and cars get shipped to you lol
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nardvark 3:47PM (5/15/2009)
Dear Sir:
Thank you kindly for your offer of the Fusions Hybrid. I am man of great wealth who is looking to place my assets in a safe location. If you supply me with US bank account in your name, I will transfer $1,000,000 into account, so that you may supply my monarchy with 300 of the Fusions. In exchange, you will keep the rest of the funds. Please do this quickly, for I am having to leave my country soons, and the money must be transferred before this time. Many thanks,
Prince Nairumbi of Nigeria
Reply
larry a 6:52PM (5/15/2009)
To me thats what its worth
Reply
JDM Life 1:37PM (5/16/2009)
+ 1