Car firms focus on green power as fuel costs rise

JUST when car-makers thought it safe to roll out new models in the wake of the economic crisis — 170 premiers are advertised for the Geneva Auto Show opening this week — a spike in fuel prices has cast a new shadow over the industry and redoubled attention on green technologies.

Ford Motor Co said yesterday it is boosting its offering of low-emissions technologies and will have five alternative powertrains to market in Europe by 2013.

Stephen Odell, the chief of Ford Europe, told reporters the new powertrains will include hybrid, pure electric and plug-in hybrid technologies.