Ford says it's talking to EPA after questions about hybrids' fuel economy

DETROIT - Ford is talking to the U.S. government about the fuel economy of its hybrid cars after a report suggested they're falling short of targets. Consumer Reports said last week that Ford's new C-Max hybrid didn't meet its published fuel economy of 47 miles per gallon in the magazine's testing.

Other hybrids _ including the Ford Fusion and Toyota Prius V _ have also fallen short in the magazine's tests. Ford says it followed the Environmental Protection Agency's guidelines when it set its fuel economy.

Global vehicle development chief Raj Nair says Ford is talking to the EPA to see if the agency needs to change the way it tests hybrids. A message seeking comment was left with the EPA.