Ford meets goal of doubling flex-fuel cars

Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it will meet its goal of doubling the number of flexible-fuel vehicles it makes this year.

In 2006, Ford made 185,000 vehicles that could run on E-85 ethanol and gasoline and pledged to double that number by 2010.

The company won't say exactly how many flex-fuel vehicles it will make this year, but it will meet its goal, spokeswoman Jennifer Moore said.

Ford also said it plans to make half its vehicles flexible fuel-capable by the 2012 model year as long as incentives continue to encourage the manufacturing and distribution of renewable fuels and the production of flex-fuel vehicles.

Sue Cischke, Ford's group vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering, made the announcements at a biotechnology conference in Chicago.

Ford late last month reported a net income of $2.1 billion in the first quarter, its fourth profitable quarter in a row.