U.S. ethanol sector pushes automakers for support

WASHINGTON, Nov 25 (Reuters) – Ethanol industry groups on Tuesday urged U.S. auto executives to support increasing the ethanol-to-gasoline blend rate when they return to Capitol Hill next week to seek federal aid.

General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Chrysler LLC [CBS.UL] and Ford Motor Co (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) have asked Congress for $25 billion to save their businesses. Before they receive any money, however, lawmakers want the companies to lay out their strategies for developing more fuel-efficient cars and maintaining long term viability.

In a letter to the top U.S. auto executives, ethanol trade groups said the companies should use their aid proposals as an opportunity to throw their support behind increasing the U.S. ethanol-to-gasoline blend rate to 15 to 20 percent and aggressively pursuing flex fuel vehicles.

Reuters