There has been much drum-beating about hybrid fuel technology, hydrogen fuel, CNGs (compressed natural gas) and bio-fuels, particularly the much talked about ethanol fuel.

While the continuing upsurge in fuel prices is already in the verge of triggering panic among the motorists, the oil companies drum beating their fuel options, on the other hand, are causing confusion on their products.

"Even government officials who were supposed to formulate policies on the production and use of alternative fuels have mixed things up when they talk about alternative fuels," Luie Dy-Buncio, Ford Group Philippines vice president for sales and marketing, said as he cited a need for a massive media campaign to educate the public on the issue.

In the midst of debates among members of both chambers of the House of Congress, FGP initiated a media test drive on the Ford Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) from Makati to Pampanga to show that some front line Ford models can shift to ethanol-blended fuels without undergoing engine modification.

In partnership with Pilipinas Shell, which provided the E-10 or 10 percent ethanol mixed with 90 percent unleaded gasoline, Colo Ventosa, FGP assistant vice president for North American Built Up Units – showcased 10 Ford Focus units with 1.8 and 2.0-liter Duratec powerplants that run with ethanol.

Calling the event an "experiential activity," Dy-Buncio thinks that by driving the multi-awarded Ford Focus with E-10, the motoring media can determine if that causes a difference on the cars’ performance.

He claimed that the Ford Focus 1.8 and 2.0 liter variants can take even the E-20 (20 percent ethanol mixed with 80 percent unleaded gasoline) without compromising engine performance.

Mike Velasco, Pilipinas Shell alternative fuel project manager, said they initially considered the E-10 for the media test drive run in order to jump start the public awareness on the industry of alternative fuels.

Stressing Ford’s preparedness in introducing the alternative fuels on their models, Dy-Buncio said that his 4.0-liter V6 Ford Explorer will run efficiently on E-85 ethanol blended fuel. He, however, admitted that all Ford Escape variants cannot run on ethanol mixed fuel since it has corrosive characteristics that can cause damage to the fuel line.

Aside from cutting the fuel expenses by as much as 50 centavos per liter, FGP supports the use of ethanol since it results to cleaner emission.

Since the Shell ethanol blend fuels were launched by President Arroyo last May 12, Ford people like Dy-Buncio and Ventosa have been using E-10s for their Explorer and Focus, respectively, both claiming that there was a lighter driving feel.

"Maybe its because the fuel burns better in the combustion chamber with ethanol," Luie said.

During the one hour-drive from the Global City to the Ford dealership in San Fernando, Pampanga, we drove the E-10 fuel-fed Ford Focuses on the traffic-congested Edsa to the clear stretches of North Luzon Expressway. Defying the speed limit rule on the NLEX, Manny de los Reyes of Philippine Star and Speed Magazine, took the opportunity to take the needle to the 170kph mark to determine if there will be signs of engine fade or knocking.

While comfortably settled on the rear passenger seat of a Ford Focus 2.0 Sport, I waited for any changes in the Focus’ road performance. There was none.

Manny, when asked about his personal observation, replied: "There was no significant change."

I was more than satisfied with the Ford’s engine performance with the use of the E-10. I hope the FGP officials pursue their objective of promoting the Ford FFVs starting with the readily available ethanol blend.