Suit: Ford underpaid for EV battery work

Two New York dealerships have filed a lawsuit against Ford Motor Company alleging the automaker underpaid hundreds of thousands of dollars for electric vehicle battery replacements. Represented by franchise attorney Leonard Bellavia, the plaintiffs claim Ford paid only $600 per replacement instead of the roughly $22,600 required under New York warranty reimbursement laws. The lawsuit seeks class-action certification and could expand to include additional dealers nationwide. The case centers on whether OEMs must reimburse EV battery replacements at rates comparable to retail repair pricing, a dispute that could have major financial implications for franchised dealerships.