A Uniontown auto parts dealer has filed a federal lawsuit against Ford Motor Co., claiming the manufacturer is using the company's catch phrase.

Frank's Auto Supply Inc., which opened in 1938 and has seven locations, claims that Ford is using a phrase to advertise its 2010 Ford Fusion that the Uniontown company began using in 2003. The lawsuit accuses Ford of unfair competition under the Federal Trademark Act.

Frank's said in the complaint filed Friday in U.S. District Court that the company has been using the phrase, "We Speak Car," in advertising since June 8, 2003. Further, the lawsuit alleges that the company owns the Web site domain name, www.wespeakcar.com

The auto parts dealer said that Ford launched a "dynamic and multi-faceted," advertising campaign for the Ford Fusion on March 3 that includes an "overall theme and tag line, 'We Speak Car.'"

In addition, the plaintiff claims that Ford paid for three different commercials during American Idol on Fox on March 3.

"Each of the three television commercials began with the narrator's voice saying, 'We Speak Car.'"

Frank's, which filed a trademark application on Thursday, claims that Ford has spent $60 million to $80 million on its advertising campaign to date.