Spotlight: Diesel-Powered Metro Gets 93 MPG

Burbank-based BAT International Inc. said its diesel-powered Geo Metro averaged 93.1 miles per gallon in two 50-mile runs using BAT’s secret engine technology. But President Joseph LaStella said the test was a failure, since he was hoping to break 100 mpg. BAT hopes to license the technology to auto makers, but so far they have been unimpressed. Investors have bid up BAT stock more than eighteenfold this year. But shares fell 20 cents to close at $1.46 on Tuesday on the Nasdaq bulletin board.