India's auto industry miffed over fuel efficiency ratings plan

India’s auto industry is miffed over a move by the Power Ministry to start rating passenger cars on the basis of fuel economy by January 2010. As per the new proposal, star ratings would be given to vehicles, where five stars would stand for the maximum output in terms of mileage, Power Ministry sources said. In the initial phase, only cars would be given star ratings, while other vehicles like motorcycles, scooters, trucks, buses and other commercial vehicles would be added to the program later. The size of the Indian passenger vehicle industry is more than 18 lakh (1.8 million) units. (December 29, 2009)