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Europe's going greener with every new car sold
publication date: Sep 15, 2009
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author/source: Robin Roberts
As the Frankfurt Motor Show opens its doors to the
world today, the average new car being sold in Europe is now greener
than ever, according to a special report released by the world’s
leading provider of automotive data and intelligence, JATO Dynamics.
JATO has found an average 6.2 g/km reduction in the CO2 output of
new cars sold by the top 25 brands in H1 2009, with a similar reduction
measured in JATO’s 21 monitored EU markets.
The figures underline how incremental improvements to high-volume
vehicles can have an impact that far exceeds low-volume hybrid or
alternative fuel vehicles, in the European new car market.
David Di Girolamo, Head of JATO Consult, explains: “Our analysis shows
how the CO2 output of new cars has dropped significantly this year,
with manufacturers’ own efforts in this area boosted by scrappage
incentives and economic pressures, which have in turn persuaded
customers to buy smaller, more efficient – and less polluting – new
cars.
“The effect on new car CO2 is quite pronounced,” he concludes.
Brand improvements in Detail
JATO’s analysis shows that H1 2009 new car sales for
three brands – Smart, Fiat and MINI – are already under the 130 g/km
CO2 average, not required under EU legislation until 2015. Fiat’s
efforts are the most impressive, considering its volumes and model mix.
However,
these brands did not make the outright biggest improvement of all
mainstream marques over the past year – that accolade belongs to Alfa
Romeo, whose average new car CO2 output fell by 19.9g/ km versus the
corresponding period in 2008.
Of course, sales volume is
significant when assessing CO2 performance and JATO has created a
league table of improvements amongst the top 25 brands by volume.
When
isolating the top 25 volume brands, the top spot is taken by Chevrolet,
whose diesel Cruze model and 3-cylinder, 0.8-litre, 119g/km Matiz
helped its new car sales to a 15.2 g/km average CO2 improvement.
Second in the improvement stakes was Audi, whose
2.0-litre TDi engine helped it to an average of 163 g/km. The German
marque is likely to benefit further in H2 2009 sales, from its recently
announced, 109 g/km 1.6-litre TDi A3 model and stop-start system.
Toyota, Suzuki, Hyundai and Mazda also recorded double-digit improvements.
Ford
was best of the biggest European volume sellers, improving average CO2
by 8.0 g/km as its ECOnetic range and in particular, its new 98 g/km
Fiesta ECOnetic, proved popular with customers across Europe.
Di
Girolamo concludes: “There are some surprises when you look at the
order of CO2 reductions by brand. However, Fiat is still the best
performer for average CO2 output by brand.”
While not traditionally
associated with their environmental credentials, supercar makers are
proving just as committed and effective as volume brands in reducing
their average CO2 performance, according to a special report released
today by the world’s leading provider of automotive data and
intelligence, JATO Dynamics.
JATO analysis shows Ferrari leads the
CO2 volume reduction race, with a 40.4 g/km improvement in CO2 output
of new cars sold in H1 2009, compared to the same period in 2008.
This
is the greatest volume reduction of any brand on sale in Europe and
represents a 9.5pc improvement, which matches that of the best
performing volume brand of H1 2009, Chevrolet.
Commenting on the
figures, David Di Girolamo, Head of JATO Consult, says: “Of course,
supercars are starting from a high base and have more scope to reduce
emissions than mainstream cars, but the speed with which they are
improving their CO2 performance should be credited.
“Sales volumes
might be on a smaller scale, but those manufacturers we studied sell
close to 100,000 cars combined each year, and we know well that the
days of supercar makers being excluded from the environmental debate
are over,” he continues “of course owners of these types of cars are
also now acutely aware of their own environmental responsibilities,
although this is clearly not top of the wish list when considering a
supercar”.
JATO’s analysis shows the scale of CO2 improvement made
by the top supercar makers, but also the effect of small sales volumes.
Ferrari’s net reduction puts it well on its way to achieving its
stated aim to reduce CO2 emissions from 400 g/km per vehicle to 280-300
g/km, by 2012.
While Ferrari can claim the greatest CO2 volume
reduction, when expressed as percentage improvement, it is Alpina that
is the outright best performer, although on a small sales base. | The
next best in percentage improvement is Porsche, whose 10.6pc reduction
on a H1 2009 sales volume of 18,126 compares well to volume car makers.
The general improvement in CO2 output of new cars is
reflected when studied nationally.
The effect of national scrappage
schemes is a key factor in driving national demand for lower emission
vehicles and it is no surprise that these incentives in Western
European markets have boosted not only national sales, but specifically
those of higher efficiency vehicles, accelerating CO2 reductions.
Germany has recorded an 11.3 g/km average improvement in new car CO2 output, across its H1 2009 sales of 2,059,405.
Of
the other major European markets, the UK has recorded an average 8.4
g/km improvement, on its half year sales of 924,955.
Italy improved
overall by 6.5 g/km and France by 5.7 g/km.
However, the effect of
volume is once again apparent, with the greatest improvement in the CO2
output of new cars sold in H1 2009 recorded in the Republic of Ireland,
which posted a 17.1 g/km reduction. | |
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said that,
by building a more efficient transport network, politicians could help
rebuild the UK economy and help meet Britain's climate change ambitions.
FTA, which represents over 14,000 members operating across all modes of
transport, will be taking this message to the party conferences with a
view to influencing manifestos ahead of next year's General Election.
James Hookham, FTA's director of policy, said:
"Having a transport network that's fit for purpose is not an optional
extra for any country looking to have a successful economy. Every
industry relies upon transport, whether it's getting goods to market or
simply ensuring there's paper for the photocopier, but congestion,
whether it's on roads or on the rails, not only impedes Britain's
ability to compete, but can also increase our carbon emissions."
Rather than a full-frontal road building programme, FTA is urging
politicians to take a more intelligent approach, making full use of the
infrastructure already available and encouraging greater interchange
between the different modes.
Moving goods between road and rail or rail
and sea can be challenging and costly, yet these are areas where, with
the right political backing and investment, Britain's trading position
could be much improved.
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