Global carmakers serve-up a mixed bag of greens

Today ,the Financial Times reports that last year European carmakers stalled in their bid to cut CO2 emissions.A Brussels based environmental campaign group claims that new vehicle emissions in the European fleets fell by only 0.2.per cent.This is the lowest recorded annual rate of reduction.Emissions fell to 160 g/km, a country mile from a target of 140 g/km set for the end of next year. The European Commission has announced that it will legislate for emissions not to exceed 120g/km by 2012. A worrying trend is that in Spain and Austria carbon dioxide emissions increased last year.

Now,if financial success is the driver for pursuing the green route ,Toyota have made a very strong case. In the years since 2000, its hybrid sales in Europe have topped an accumulative 100,000 units.Toyota and Lexus currently have four different hybrid vehicles(with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive and the Lexus Hybrid Drive) in their offerings for the European market. The mass-produced Toyota Prius, for example, is the best selling sub-120 g/km car.So what about profitability ,with all this massive commitment to low emission cars? It is reported at the end of the its last financial year, Toyota made record profits of $14billion.In the same period ,General Motors and Chrysler in total made losses of about the same amount.

This is truly a mixed bag of greens.But I would back Toyota's charge up the green route to become sustainable number one in carmaking. Already dominating the green car market Toyota (the Sunday Times reports) will be showing its latest petrol-electric car, the Hybrid X, at the Bangkok Motor Show this month.More on this exciting development soon.


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