Jan 29, 2007 6:31:23 PM
- Alex_997TT
- Rennteam Master
-
- Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
- Posts: 3320, Gallery
- Registered on: Nov 20, 2005
FT - Porsche warns of emissions war
Somehow I don't think the introduction of just Direct Injection engines is going to be enough!
FT Source Link
Extract:
Porsche's chief executive on Friday warned of an impending business war between Germany on one side and France and Italy when he said plans by the European Commission to limit carbon dioxide emissions were an attack on German luxury carmakers.
The outspoken comments by Wendelin Wiedeking at the sports carmaker's annual meeting underline the nervousness of German carmakers, all of which are a long way above the proposed limits and are much more threatened than the likes of France's Renault and Peugeot and Italy's Fiat.
"It is an attack on BMW, Mercedes, Audi and ourselves ... This is a business war in Europe. We will fight," Mr Wiedeking told shareholders.
All four companies produce large luxury cars compared with the smaller ones of Renault, Peugeot and Fiat. In an extreme case, industry executives believe strict limits would threaten the existence of luxury carmakers.
The European Commission says it is committed to cutting vehicle emissions to 120 grammes per kilometre by 2012, although it has failed to agree a common line on how to achieve this. Porsche's average emissions are more than double this target.
Brussels will call for legislation to force carmakers to improve the fuel efficiency of fleets, but it may decide to spread the pain by including binding targets for the fuel and tyre industry and highlighting the need for better traffic management.
Because of its small size - it sells 96,000 cars a year compared with more than 5m at Volkswagen - Porsche is currently exempt from the voluntary targets.
The debate within the European Commission over whether to impose limits has led to a split between the environment commissioner and his industry colleague, who comes from Germany and who has tried to support the German carmakers. It has also led to a split in the German government.
FT Source Link
Extract:
Porsche's chief executive on Friday warned of an impending business war between Germany on one side and France and Italy when he said plans by the European Commission to limit carbon dioxide emissions were an attack on German luxury carmakers.
The outspoken comments by Wendelin Wiedeking at the sports carmaker's annual meeting underline the nervousness of German carmakers, all of which are a long way above the proposed limits and are much more threatened than the likes of France's Renault and Peugeot and Italy's Fiat.
"It is an attack on BMW, Mercedes, Audi and ourselves ... This is a business war in Europe. We will fight," Mr Wiedeking told shareholders.
All four companies produce large luxury cars compared with the smaller ones of Renault, Peugeot and Fiat. In an extreme case, industry executives believe strict limits would threaten the existence of luxury carmakers.
The European Commission says it is committed to cutting vehicle emissions to 120 grammes per kilometre by 2012, although it has failed to agree a common line on how to achieve this. Porsche's average emissions are more than double this target.
Brussels will call for legislation to force carmakers to improve the fuel efficiency of fleets, but it may decide to spread the pain by including binding targets for the fuel and tyre industry and highlighting the need for better traffic management.
Because of its small size - it sells 96,000 cars a year compared with more than 5m at Volkswagen - Porsche is currently exempt from the voluntary targets.
The debate within the European Commission over whether to impose limits has led to a split between the environment commissioner and his industry colleague, who comes from Germany and who has tried to support the German carmakers. It has also led to a split in the German government.
