WP: Chrysler Expanding Its Ethanol Model Line

[DeepModem Mom]

Chrysler Expanding Its Ethanol Model Line
E85 Mixture Requires Less Gas in 'Flex-Fuel' Vehicles
By Sholnn Freeman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 26, 2006; Page D01

DaimlerChrysler AG pledged to build 500,000 ethanol-fuel vehicles annually, or a quarter of its U.S. production, by 2008, as automakers try to address concerns over heavy foreign oil consumption and high gas prices.

Thomas W. LaSorda, chief executive of Chrysler, made the pledge yesterday at a meeting of the Renewable Fuels Association in Washington, where President Bush announced measures aimed at reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil. He encouraged production of ethanol-powered cars and gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles.

Bush and some lawmakers have promoted ethanol as a way to trim imports of oil and help farmers. Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and LaSorda's Chrysler division have 4.5 million vehicles on the road capable of using the fuel E85, a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The fuel is meant for use only in some "flex-fuel" vehicles built to accommodate either regular unleaded gasoline or other blends.

Ethanol is an alcohol-based gas additive. In the United States, it's derived largely from corn. To equip vehicles to use the additive, automakers have to harden components in the fuel system with stronger materials to protect against the fuel's corrosive effects. The upgrade during the manufacturing process can cost automakers less than $500.

Automakers are pushing hard to expand production of vehicles that use the fuel. Ford is expected this year to build 250,000 vehicles capable of operating on E85, and GM is to turn out 400,000 E85 vehicles in 2006 and 500,000 next year....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/25/AR2006042501737.html

[rodeodance]

1. 20 years too late--and no leadership from this WH