Toyota plans flexible-fuel vehicles in Brazil
Tokyo / Associated Press /May 22, 2007
Source: WoodTV
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6549456&nav=0Rce
Toyota is introducing cars that run on ethanol and gasoline in Brazil, a major Japanese business newspaper reported Tuesday, at a time when such flexible-fuel vehicles are growing in popularity there. According to The Nikkei, Toyota was set to unveil Corolla subcompacts that run on ethanol, gasoline or a mixture of the two fuels, and plans to switch models the Japanese automakers produces in Brazil to flex-fuel cars.
Toyota Motor Corp. spokesman Paul Nolasco said the company was expected to make an announcement soon related to The Nikkei report, but declined to elaborate. A booming ethanol industry has emerged in Brazil since about two years ago, and automakers are all rushing to offer flex-fuel cars there.
Most drivers in Brazil choose ethanol, which is made from corn, sugar cane or other crops and is about half the price of gasoline in Brazil, and eight out of every 10 new cars sold in the country are flex-fuel models. Honda Motor Co. already sells flex-fuel Civics and Fits in Brazil.