GM, Daimler & M&M look at alternative fuels

Driven by soaring crude prices, auto giants General Motors (GM), Daimler Chrysler and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) are not just testing alternative fuels on their vehicles; they are also involved in experimental plantations in India. While European automotive maker Daimler’s jatropha plantations across Gujarat and Orissa are already in their fourth year, U.S.-based GM will join the race to cultivate jatropha across 75-80 hectares of wasteland in Gujarat. General Motors (India) President Karl Slym said that GM has already invested half a million dollars in the first phase which involves testing biodiesel from jatropha seeds in six vehicles at CSMCRI’s facility in Bhavnagar. Shortly, we will enter into another agreement with CSMCRI for contract farming of Jatropha,” Slym told a local paper. (July 15, 2008)