Are cars going green?
Where Do You Live?
President Obama’s plans to reduce America’s carbon emissions by increasing fuel efficiency standards have sparked a heated debate. On the one hand reduced fuel consumption means less dangerous greenhouse gas emissions, and will contribute to a cleaner environment. But on the other it could prove to be a big ask for the US car industry, already struggling with the recession.
Allowing each state to impose its own standards for fuel efficiency will encourage reduced carbon emissions and is a long overdue first step by the US towards dealing with climate change. The issue was largely ignored by the Bush administration, though even fellow republicans like California’s governor Arnold Schwarzenegger have been fighting to make these changes for a long time.
In time all the manufacturers, even prestige brands like Audi, Mereceds and BMW – all the names we’ve been told to aspire to - will be forced to move towards designing greener cars and new fuel technologies.One thing’s is certain, even with government money these new cars will not come cheap. So perhaps the more expensive brands like Audi may even have to reconsider their marketing strategies and think about introducing other options for buyers such as offering an Audi lease agreement as an alternative to buying outright.
Cash-strapped potential buyers will also be faced with a difficult decision. The current market for cars makes it easier than ever to find a bargain, with the slump in sales leading to marked reductions in the cost of both new and used vehicles. However, if the UK government decide to follow in Obama’s footsteps drivers who choose the wrong car now could be faced with high taxes for carbon emissions in the future.
Perhaps the answer is not to buy that new Merc, or Beamer or Roller (if those are your dream cars), but instead enter a Mercedes lease agreement with the option of renewing and upgrading your vehicle in the future. You’d get the best of both worlds – your dream car now at a fixed and predictable monthly price that’s often far less than taking out a loan (that’s if you can find any institution willing to lend you anything!) not to mention the possibility of being one of the first to benefit from the new fuel saving technologies that could save you money in the future!
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