U.S. Hail Storm Pounds New Ford Escape Models

A big hail storm last month pounded thousands of Ford’s popular new Escape SUVs as they awaited shipment to car dealerships. But the damage won’t slow the roll-out of the new model, a spokesman says.

The hail storm hit Louisville, Ky. April 28 and damaged about 3,500 Escapes, according to a report in the Louisville Courier-Journal. The cars are assembled at a nearby plant.

Todd Nissen, a spokesman, said the cars were undergoing final quality checks when the storm hit. The damaged units won’t be sold to the public as new cars, he said.

Ford Motor Co. said earlier this month that it is ramping up production at the Louisville factory and 12 others to meet rising demand. Ford’s sales are up 5 percent this year.