Questions loom as auto industry vows to boost ‘flex-fuel’ vehicles

General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and the Chrysler Group have vowed to ramp up production of vehicles that can run on either gasoline or ethanol blends at a time when energy security and global warming concerns are top issues for policy makers.

But the auto industry’s ability to successfully bring the so-called “flex-fuel” vehicles to market faces a number of obstacles, from a distribution system that remains limited to a small number of gas stations to consumer awareness and acceptance of the alternatives.

belleville