British car buyers going green in a big way
The latest findings from British lenders indicate a dramatic shift to green cars. The proportion of those buying environmentally-friendly vehicles increased more than 3-fold, from 6 to 20 percent, in the past 12 months. Automakers still try to appeal to the masses with sports cars and sex appeal, but most Brits are looking for cheap to run. Of course, Europeans have a much larger selection of cool cars with small- or diesel-engine options, such as the Peugeot 207 Hdi (shown). The findings show that 25 percent of British motorists are looking to change their vehicle in 2007, and a fifth of that total is looking to switch to a green car. This growth rate of green interest has been recorded by the lenders for five consecutive quarters, suggesting even further interest.
[Source: easier.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Scatter 7:44AM (3/26/2007)
Except it hasn't quite translated into sales yet. What people say they'll do and what they end up doing are often completely opposite! Still, there's been a huge sea change in public awareness of climate change over 2006 so it'll be interesting to see how the sales figures change in 2007.
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Rick Lyon 12:54PM (3/26/2007)
Too bad the US doesn't get cars as sporty as that. Give me a 5 door hatchback at that size and I'll deal with the smaller car. It will cost less and get better gas milage. It has translated to sales here, I've seen many more smaller cars over the past year and far more compacts than before. So at least the rush for tanks has translated to downsizing, even it it's only from a large to a mid/compact. I don' expect many SUV owners to buy a Smart tomorrow. Will take time and start with the youth, and energy/price conscious consumers.
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