Big 3 on Ethanol Expansion - 5/24/06

The three largest automakers including General Motors, Ford, and DiamlerChrysler are pressuring Congress to make ethanol fuels more widely available.  They are asking for immediate action toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil.  The big three want Congress to provide incentives to increase the number of gas stations offering ethanol blends of fuel. Ford’s chairman Bill Ford said “ethanol is a very good play for this country”.  Tom LaSorda with Chrysler hopes Congress would help get 20 to 30 percent of gas stations converted to ethanol. 

Rick Wagoner, GM’s chairman said, "We really tried to make it clear to them we weren't interested in coming, asking for help for the domestic auto industry.  We were interested in talking about things that would improve the competitiveness of the U.S. economy."

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said they had very productive discussions on the importance of energy dependence. 

The big three has produced 5 million flex vehicles capable of running on an ethanol fuel mix and plans to produce an additional 1 million next year.

Source: Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0605190235may19,1,7997394.story?coll=chi-business-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

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