Jag will qualify for climate friendly car cash

23 May 2006

Media Release

Latest XJ Jag will qualify for climate friendly car cash grants in New Zealand and US

The latest 2.7 litre V6 diesel powered XJ Jaguar will qualify for a Government cash grant of $3000 under a policy proposal aimed at quickly creating a fuel efficient, low emission car fleet in New Zealand.

The New Zealand's Business Council for sustainable Development, says an announcement by Motor Distributors that it hopes to bring the petrol miser new Jaguar – using less than 5.6 litres of petrol per 100 km - to this country shows the choice car buyers will have if the Government adopts the climate friendly car incentive policy.

The Business Council proposed the policy, involving cash grants of up to $3000 for new cars using 6 litres of petrol per 100 km, or less. Cash grants of $1500 would also be made to cars using between 6.5 and 8.5l/100k and complying with the latest Euro IV equivalent emission standards. Smaller grants are also proposed for climate friendly imports, and a $2000 cash penalty for gas guzzlers using 12l/100km or more. The policy has the backing of six out of 10 New Zealanders in a national UMR poll, and the Government is now considering it as part of its climate change review.

Business Council Chief Executive Peter Neilson says it's good news that Jaguar has announced a new high-powered, yet fuel efficient and low emission XJ.

It would join a list of more than 29 other climate friendly cars available in New Zealand, including two litre BMW and Audi diesels.

Jaguar's announcement also comes on the same day the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy, Paul E. Simons, made a statement before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Government Reform that President Bush had called on Congress to make all such vehicles sold this year eligible for federal tax credits. The President says the tax credits are needed in order for Americans to better take advantage of the efficiency benefits of electric-hybrid and clean diesel technologies.

"The world is coming to conclusion that cash grants are needed to drive a dramatic and quick shift to cleaner car fleets," Mr Neilson says. "We trust the Government here will do the same. We need to clean up one of the oldest and highest-emissions fleets in the world. Better to do it with a carrot than a stick. You don't have to drive round in a shopping basket to do your bit to clean up our air."

ENDS

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