According to a news piece by Reuters, "Uncertainty in oil prices and environmental concerns are denting the prestige of SUVs or 4x4s for city drivers in the UK. After a shock rise in oil to a record 147 U.S. dollars a barrel in mid-July, prices have recently dropped to a six-month low of less than $ 100 US dollars. With consumers increasingly switching to low emissions cars, it's uncertain whether the 4x4 market will win back customers."
Click this link to watch the Reuters video.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tax 4x4s More, says Lib Dems
The Liberal Democrats have called for higher taxes on large 4x4s in order to help provide fiscal incentives for people purchasing smaller efficient cars.
According to Norman Baker, buyers would get £1,000 from the government when they drove new Band A cars — which include the VW Polo BlueMotion, the Seat Ibiza EcoMotion and electric vehicles which emit 100g per CO2/km or less.
Buying one of the Band B cars would come with a £500 feebate cheque and a lower annual VED tax of about £40 to £60. Band B cars include some types of Mini Cooper, the Citroën C1 and Fiat 500 diesel — all having a CO2/km of 101g to 120g.
The incentives to go green would be covered by higher tax levies on the highest polluting cars. A showroom tax of £500, alongside £2,000 a year VED, would be imposed on gas guzzlers in the new Band M such as some Range Rover and Toyota Land Cruiser models with emissions of over 255g per CO2/km.
According to Norman Baker, buyers would get £1,000 from the government when they drove new Band A cars — which include the VW Polo BlueMotion, the Seat Ibiza EcoMotion and electric vehicles which emit 100g per CO2/km or less.
Buying one of the Band B cars would come with a £500 feebate cheque and a lower annual VED tax of about £40 to £60. Band B cars include some types of Mini Cooper, the Citroën C1 and Fiat 500 diesel — all having a CO2/km of 101g to 120g.
The incentives to go green would be covered by higher tax levies on the highest polluting cars. A showroom tax of £500, alongside £2,000 a year VED, would be imposed on gas guzzlers in the new Band M such as some Range Rover and Toyota Land Cruiser models with emissions of over 255g per CO2/km.
Consumers Shun Expensive Gas Guzzlers
According to an article by Automotive News Europe, "sales volumes for large SUVs fell 44.4 percent. Sales of large cars and large minivans also dropped steeply."
"Large premium cars and premium SUVs also had double-digit declines in volume compared with the same period last year, according to an Automotive News Europe analysis of sales data from UK-based market researcher JATO Dynamics."
No thanks!
Big, thirsty vehicles had steep sales percentage declines in the first half
Large SUVs: -44.4
Large cars: -29.5
Large minivans: -21.7
Upper premium: -15.8
Premium SUVs: -14.6
Source: JATO Dynamics
"Large premium cars and premium SUVs also had double-digit declines in volume compared with the same period last year, according to an Automotive News Europe analysis of sales data from UK-based market researcher JATO Dynamics."
No thanks!
Big, thirsty vehicles had steep sales percentage declines in the first half
Large SUVs: -44.4
Large cars: -29.5
Large minivans: -21.7
Upper premium: -15.8
Premium SUVs: -14.6
Source: JATO Dynamics
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Vote for Less Polluting Cars
This is the time to take action for less polluting cars
The European Parliament is set to cast a decisive vote on 25 September 2008 on a bill to reduce the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of new cars.
The Industry Committee voted on 01 September, producing an opinion which could significantly weaken this bill a great deal. Their vote is in stark contrast with public opinion, which seems to be common for governments these days.
A recent poll gathered from 5 member states, including the UK, showed that 87% of European citizens think measures to require carmakers to reduce the fuel consumption of new cars by 25% should be urgently introduced, and that Europeans consider climate change to be the second biggest serious problem (62%) facing the world, after poverty (68%).
It is extremely worrying and disappointing that the Industry Committee put the interests of the car industry over the people and the environment. Our conservative MEPs seem set to do the same. Both John Bowis (London) and Martin Callanan (NE) have written letters which show that they are more interested in protecting the industry then they are in pushing for better cars for car consumers using technology that is available now.
On 25 September the Environment Committee will cast a vote which will play an essential role in the final outcome of the bill.
Please tell your MEPs to vote for the people and the climate. And spread the news.
Vote for less polluting cars.
The European Parliament is set to cast a decisive vote on 25 September 2008 on a bill to reduce the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of new cars.
The Industry Committee voted on 01 September, producing an opinion which could significantly weaken this bill a great deal. Their vote is in stark contrast with public opinion, which seems to be common for governments these days.
A recent poll gathered from 5 member states, including the UK, showed that 87% of European citizens think measures to require carmakers to reduce the fuel consumption of new cars by 25% should be urgently introduced, and that Europeans consider climate change to be the second biggest serious problem (62%) facing the world, after poverty (68%).
It is extremely worrying and disappointing that the Industry Committee put the interests of the car industry over the people and the environment. Our conservative MEPs seem set to do the same. Both John Bowis (London) and Martin Callanan (NE) have written letters which show that they are more interested in protecting the industry then they are in pushing for better cars for car consumers using technology that is available now.
On 25 September the Environment Committee will cast a vote which will play an essential role in the final outcome of the bill.
Please tell your MEPs to vote for the people and the climate. And spread the news.
Vote for less polluting cars.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Jaguar and Land Rover Sales Down as Buyers Seek Efficient Cars
This news comes from ETA:
Fewer cars were sold in the month of August than at any time since 1966. The drop in sales has been especially hard on British-made luxury brands such as Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover.
This time of year has traditionally been a strong time for new car sales because new registration plates were issued, but despite the fact the plates are now released in March and September and there is no longer a guaranteed peak in August, this year’s figures are particularly bad; overall sales are down 18.7 per cent on 2007.
Toyota and Land Rover have announced production cutbacks because of falls in orders and Britain’s automotive industry, which employs 815,000, is urging the government to drop interest rates to stimulate the market.
A spokesperson for the Environmental transport Association (ETA) said: “In the current economic conditions it’s quite understandable that people are unwilling to buy new cars, but it is the heavier, thirstier cars that are suffering particularly badly – smaller, greener, more frugal models are continuing to sell.”
The revised rates of emissions-based vehicle excise duty (road tax) has further harmed sales of larger, fuel inefficient cars.
To find the greenest cars, try the ETA's Car Buyers Guide
Fewer cars were sold in the month of August than at any time since 1966. The drop in sales has been especially hard on British-made luxury brands such as Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover.
This time of year has traditionally been a strong time for new car sales because new registration plates were issued, but despite the fact the plates are now released in March and September and there is no longer a guaranteed peak in August, this year’s figures are particularly bad; overall sales are down 18.7 per cent on 2007.
Toyota and Land Rover have announced production cutbacks because of falls in orders and Britain’s automotive industry, which employs 815,000, is urging the government to drop interest rates to stimulate the market.
A spokesperson for the Environmental transport Association (ETA) said: “In the current economic conditions it’s quite understandable that people are unwilling to buy new cars, but it is the heavier, thirstier cars that are suffering particularly badly – smaller, greener, more frugal models are continuing to sell.”
The revised rates of emissions-based vehicle excise duty (road tax) has further harmed sales of larger, fuel inefficient cars.
To find the greenest cars, try the ETA's Car Buyers Guide
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