Chrysler Group has previously endorsed use of B5 (5 percent biodiesel) fuel in the Jeep® Liberty CRD diesel SUV, and every vehicle is fueled with B5 at the assembly plant in Toledo. In addition, use of B2 is approved for the diesel-powered Dodge Sprinter vans.

Most U.S. biodiesel is made from soy beans. However, DaimlerChrysler is participating in research programs in Germany and India to develop processes for producing high-quality biodiesel from non-food agricultural products.

In the United States, Chrysler Group is participating in an extensive biodiesel research program, including development of a national B20 specification. The research partnership includes Detroit-based nonprofit NextEnergy; Biodiesel Industries, the nation's largest chain of biodiesel refineries; automotive suppliers Bosch, Delphi and Cummins, along with researchers based at Wayne State and Michigan State universities, with initial work to include much-needed research and field testing of biodiesel fuels.

Chrysler Group is also working with Michigan State researchers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to re-use a brownfield site in the Detroit area to produce crops for biodiesel research and development programs.

Chrysler Group is further supporting use of renewable biofuels with approximately 1.5 million Flex Fuel vehicles now in use that are capable of running on E85 (85 percent ethanol) fuel made with corn. For the 2006 model year, Flex Fuel versions of the Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Sebring sedans, Dodge Durango and Dodge and Chrysler minivans are available to fleet customers.

"Biofuels are proof that at least part of the solution to our energy, environment and national security issues can be homegrown," LaSorda said.

Source: DaimlerChrysler