Auto Dealership Partners, of Little Rock, Arkansas, has won a lawsuit filed in 2022 against the Ford Motor company. A Pulaski county circuit court judge has awarded the dealer group $18 million after finding Ford had engaged in deceit and fraud. “False and deceitful representations were made by agents and employees of Ford,” Judge Timothy Davis Fox said. “The false and deceitful representations were material in influencing ADP’s decision; and ADP sustained damages as a result of such false and deceitful representations.”

In 2018 ADP led by Larry Crain Jr and Heath Campbell planned on purchasing a Ford and Chrysler dealership in Benton, Arkansas for $4 million. Ford blocked the purchase.  ADP argued in court that Ford unfairly blocked its acquisition of the dealership, resulting in financial losses. ADP focused the case on Ford’s misuse of its right of first refusal.   “This verdict upholds the principles of fairness in the automotive industry and ensures that manufacturers cannot manipulate transactions to the detriment of dealers”  Larry Crain said. 

Ford plans on appealing the decision.