Model sues Volvo for making her look like an "escort"

Volvo is facing a lawsuit from one of its former car models.

A model has filed a lawsuit against Volvo claiming the Swedish automaker used her image in several unauthorized print and internet ads, including one that made her look like an "escort".

Carolyn Giles, a 30-year-old model, was recently hired by Volvo for what she thought was an exclusive ad for the S40 sedan. However, Giles soon found her image promoting everything from tourism to rental cars in 25 different countries.

Giles claims the most offensive use of her image was for a Volvo-sponsored social event put on by the Australian Web site fastimpressions.com.au. The site promoting the evening by encouraging singles to "spend a night with a Swedish model of your choice."

Volvo says 'Swedish model' was intended to mean one of its cars, but Giles claims the automaker used the term "to make it appear that she may be an escort with extreme sexual and inappropriate connotations and innuendos."

Giles case isn't a slam-dunk though. The models signed an "unlimited usage" contract which Volvo says gives it the right to "unlimited print and Internet placements worldwide for an unlimited time," according to ABC News. Giles' lawsuit asserts Volvo only had permission to use her image in material relating to the S40.

In all, Giles' lawsuit is seeking $23 million from Volvo, Hertz and her modeling agency, Ford Models.