4 August 2005

Greens applaud motorists for buying smart cars

Green Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons is encouraged by the fact that Kiwi motorists are responding to higher petrol prices by buying more fuel-efficient cars.

Motor Vehicle Association figures show sales of some popular big cars have dropped this year and sales of fuel-efficient cars are spiking.

"It's great that Kiwis have perceived that petrol prices are becoming a problem and are embracing smaller, more fuel-efficient cars as a result," Ms Fitzsimons says. "We expect petrol prices to stay high and it makes both economic and environmental sense to buy the most fuel-efficient cars on the market."

Ms Fitzsimons says consumers were taking action where the Government has failed.

"Years ago the Government should have increased the efficiency of our car fleet by implementing an average fuel efficiency standard for vehicle importers. However it has clearly failed to do so and now consumers are stepping into the breach.

"My advice to Kiwis who need to replace their car is that they would be wise not to even look at anything that does less than 50-miles-to-the-gallon or 5.5-litres-for-100km," Ms Fitzsimons says.

ENDS

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