Filed under: Euro, Green, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen
German automakers back weight-based CO2 proposal
As the European Commission mulls over new standards to curb carbon-dioxides emissions of cars, one proposal has emerged that's quickly gaining favor among some of the automakers. The plan would see the introduction of a weight-based system to regulate car CO2 emissions levels, something the boss of one of Germany's luxury automakers has praised.
Lawmakers hope to reduce average fleet CO2 emissions to 130 grams per kilometer by 2012 from current levels of about 160g/km. Such a ruling would hurt Germany's premium manufacturers the most because their fleets are made up mostly of large and powerful fuel-hungry cars. By contrast, French and Italian rivals' fleets consist of smaller, more fuel-efficient models and such a ruling would actually benefit them.
Audi CEO Rupert Stadler praised news that the European Commission is considering a proposal that would see allowable CO2 emissions standards be based on a vehicle's weight rather than a fleet average level. The Audi boss is not alone. Most premium automakers are in favor of the alternative proposal, and are even in the process of developing smaller and lighter cars as a sign of acceptance that things must change.
[Source: Automotive News - Subs. Req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rambo 7:11PM (8/14/2007)
Emissions for the rich europeans.
Unsafe sub-compacts for everybody else.
NEVER IN THE USA!
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Turbofrog 7:20PM (8/14/2007)
So let me get this straight...they want to reward lazy engineering?
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B Montgomery 8:05PM (8/14/2007)
Sounds good to me. American Gas Guzzling Trucks and SUVs have been getting away with it for years while those of us that prefer High-Performance cars get hit with a Gas Guzzler tax that amounts to 1500.00 on up to $3500.00 Time to make it fair across the board - all or nothing!
Rambo 9:36PM (8/14/2007)
It's funny how you have it all backwards. It's asses like you in your V8 BMWs that want to be rewarded because you over paid! Don't be upset because America offers affordable V8s. THIS LAW WON'T EVER BE COMMING HERE...SO MAYBE YOU SHOULD MOVE TO GERMANY.
Turbofrog 9:46PM (8/14/2007)
Actually, Rambo, the affordability of the V8 has nothing to do with it. The gas-guzzler surcharge is disproportionately low for light-trucks compared to cars, a loophole which was exploited to fuel the SUV craze. That's what he was referring to...
USofA 9:47PM (8/14/2007)
B Montgomery,
I love rich people who complain about the 'luxury tax'. They can justify paying $90,000 for a BMW M5 but then get all worked up over paying a $3,000 tax, lol.
Scott 8:10PM (8/14/2007)
I can't read the linked article, so let me see if I am making what has got to be the correct assumption. These automakers want to be rewarded with the right to cause more pollution because their cars have won the dubious title of heaviest and least fuel-efficient.
I love my BMW, but that's just mind-blowing stupid logic. If this is really what they are backing, then why not slap in a V16 and fill the trunk with lead?
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Castle 8:42PM (8/14/2007)
Yeah, weight-based because you can just allow cars/SUVs to be heavier to work around CO2 emissions. Hence, a Hummer would be allowed to pollute more because it weighs more. Great for manufacturers.
IMHO, focusing on carbon emissions alone is a faulty system; CO2 isn't the only green house gas, there should be a more diverse approach considering more then one emission parameter.
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Turbofrog 9:49PM (8/14/2007)
Cars don't emit methane or CFCs, though. It is important for global sustainability to look at the big picture, but in the automotive context, CO2 is pretty significant.
Phil 1:17AM (8/15/2007)
Rambo, sorry to hear that you're uninformed and obviously ignorant of the facts. Have you ever looked at a car with a V8? What about an SUV that gets 10MPG? I have, and IT IS A FACT. Do research before barfing out of your mouth.
Phil 1:17AM (8/15/2007)
USof A ~ Because I want a $50k Audi that gets 23 mpg on the highway and not a $50k Cadillac Escalade that gets 13 city and 19 Hwy, I should have to pay a $3500 extra tax because George Bush says so? Let me guess, you voted for him? Who's getting worked up, it's about being Fair and Equal...
Rambo 9:50PM (8/14/2007)
Turbofrog,
The 'loophole' is for heavier trucks and SUVs. It was put in place to protect pickup truck buyers (workers).
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rgseidl 10:43PM (8/14/2007)
Just tax the snot out of fuel and, cut income and/or general sales tax to compensate. Also give financial incentives to scrap or permanently export very old cars that emit lots of CO2 or controlled pollutants. That way, only the ludicrously rich will be able to afford gas guzzlers and, even they may not want to as the ostentation will make them social pariahs. Meanwhile. Joe Average can earn himself a net tax cut by switching to a car that gets better mileage, or other measures.
Changing demand patterns is the only way you are ever going to get carmakers to produce fuel efficient vehicles *and* turn a profit doing so. The profit part matters because the industry employs a lot of voters. That is also the reason why you have make the shift in tax policy gradual - e.g. ramped over 10 years - yet predictable and permanent.
CAFE, gas guzzler taxes, CO2 emissions targets etc. all constrain the supply of available models but do nothing at all to foster consumer demand for what's left. That's why car makers hate them and will use any opportunity to secure loopholes to undermine them.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:11PM (8/14/2007)
Of course we should change the rules so companies can dump twin-turbo V10s into compact sedans. It's what the automakers want.
Did they check with the oil companies before putting out these proposals? They'd probably like to relax the rules even more.
Forget what's good for people, we need to make sure to protect profits for BMW.
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Barney 11:17PM (8/14/2007)
The North American concept has to be better (if applied). Making a gas guzzler means more fuel efficient vehicles must be made to counter it. Those who want a gas guzzler can only get one, if more buy those that aren't.
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Phil 1:26AM (8/15/2007)
The Loophole protects the workers? What a load of garbage... It's not about American or European. Buy a Vette or just about any v8 engined High-Performance sedan, Pontiac GTO, etc and you'll get the gas guzzler tax. Buy a Escalade, Excursion, Hummer that gets WORSE gas mileage and your rewarded. This is the usual flawed and unfair laws that we see in this country. No better than rewarding murderers with Cable TV and back massages in prison. There is no reason an Escalade (A Rich person's vehicle BTW) should enjoy a "free-ride" over an STS, Mustang, or Hemi engined Chrysler 300. Just a BS mandate, pure and simple...
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British_Rover 10:40AM (8/15/2007)
Actually a Vette, unless it is a Z06, avoids the gas guzzler tax.
gwballin 11:29AM (8/15/2007)
And so does the GTO with the optional 6 speed.
Rambo 11:38AM (8/15/2007)
Phil,
Stop bitching because you sound like a fool. No one cares what you think... PAY THE TAX IF YOU WANT A LUXURY CAR WITH A V8/V12!
Heavier trucks are viewed as work vehicles with a useful purpose by the government. Want useful purpose does your over-engined car serve?
Rambo 12:04PM (8/15/2007)
B Montgomery,
You sound like a ignorant snob!
Don't get all bitter because the 'luxury tax' is costing you an extra 3%. Get a life you greedy a**h**e.