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| German luxury car makers and Japan’s giant Mazda and Subaru, look likely to be the hardest hit by the EU’s new proposals CO2 emissions from cars 20% by 2012
according to local Euro MP Brian Simpson. The proposals outlined the EU Commission are that average CO2 emissions should be cut to 130 grammes per kilometre and
those car makers that fuel to make the targets w3ill be fined proportionate to the number of grammes they are over the limit. “Car makers appear to be very unhappy at these proposals and I for one will need to look closely at what the effect could be on our
own North West car manufacturing industry. However, it is a fact of life that we are faced with the problem of global warming and that the private motor car is a major contributor
to that problem” said Mr Simpson. Whilst car makers described the proposals as
anti-social, anti-economical and anti-competitive; environmental groups said it gave car manufacturers the green light to carry on killing our planet and Mr Simpson expects a period of intense
lobbying when the measures come before the European Parliament. “It would appear that the
worst offenders for CO2 emissions are Porsche, Daimler, Chrysler, BMW, Mazda and Subaru; but I know Bentley, Jaguar and Land Rover will be affected also, as will the so called “Chelsea Tractors” that
have become so popular over recent years. What Parliament will have to try to do is balance out the need to protect the environment on the one hand and protect jobs and expertise
on the other. Either way, it is likely to lead to an increase of around £1000 on new cars” concluded Mr Simpson. As part of the proposals, small car makers who make less than 10,000 vehicles a year would be exempt as would vehicles designed for
disabled people. Also, taxis that can accommodate wheelchair users like the traditional British black hackney cab will be exempt. A bitter Parliamentary struggle
in Brussels is envisaged along the lines of ecology –v- economy.
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