John Cena, the famous WWE star and actor known for his impressive collection of luxury cars, once got himself into a sticky situation with car manufacturer Ford. As of 2021, according to GQ, Cena’s collection boasted stunning models like the 2009 Chevy Corvette ZRI, the 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird, and the fiery ‘Corvette InCenaRator’. However, one particular car – his 2017 Ford GT – ended up being more trouble than it was worth.
Ford manufactures only a few hundred of these supercars annually, and they come with strings attached. The exclusive owners, hand-picked through a rigorous application process, are bound by a strict rule: they cannot resell the car for at least two years post-purchase. Cena, having bought his Ford GT in 2017 for a hefty price tag of over $450,000, found himself in hot water when he flipped the vehicle a few months later, breaching the no-sale agreement.
This premature sale not only violated the agreement but also reportedly allowed Cena to turn a profit, which did not sit well with Ford. The company claimed that this action damaged their brand value, ambassador activity, and customer goodwill. Consequently, Ford sued Cena for $500,000, citing damages and losses.
The legal battle, however, didn’t drag on for long. By 2018, Ford and Cena had reached an out-of-court settlement. The specifics of the agreement were not disclosed, but the settlement involved a monetary amount being donated to a charity.
In his apology, Cena expressed his fondness for the Ford GT and regret over the situation. “I love the Ford GT and apologise to Ford, and encourage others who own the car to respect the contract,” Cena stated. “I am pleased we could resolve this matter outside of court, and that a worthy charity will benefit from one of the most iconic cars in the world.”
This incident is a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with owning such exclusive vehicles and the potential consequences of flouting those rules.