India issues flex-fuel advisory rather than mandate for auto manufacturers

In India, the Times of India reports that the government has issued an advisory, rather than a mandate, for domestic car manufacturers to begin building flex-fuel cars within six months. The policy was toned down after strong pushback from industry. The transportation minister said that a mandate wasn’t necessary because Toyota, Suzuki and Hyundai have all agreed to begin manufacturing flex-fuel engines, but no Indian manufacturers have yet followed suit. The government hopes that by making flex-fuel vehicles available in the domestic market that ethanol demand will soar quickly.