January 27, 2010
UK Government launches second phase of Carbon offsetting facility
Part of the Copenhagen agreement last month was that many of the world’s governments would look to produce new carbon offsetting schemes and facilities and the UK government have taken a major step forward in reducing emission from the public sector.
The UK government have taken the next major step in reducing the carbon footprint created by public sector organisations by creating a carbon offsetting framework.
The government has recognised that the public, businesses and the public sector need to take action regarding calculating emissions, avoiding emissions, reducing emissions and then, lastly to consider offsetting.
Offsetting reduces the impact of emission that cannot currently be avoided or reduced by leading to emissions reductions elsewhere in the world.
GCOF II is a framework agreement operated by the UK Government’s procurement agency, Buying Solutions, with 10 suppliers. Buying Solutions intends to conduct quarterly e-auctions for CER credits requested by participating public sector organisations.
The first phase of GCOF was designed to meet the Prime Ministerial commitment to offset ministerial and official air travel emissions in central government. The government purchased 305,000 Certified Emissions Reduction (CERs) credits from Trading Emissions in respect of this first phase covering emissions from April 2006 to March 2009.
Joan Ruddock, minister of state at Department of Energy and Climate Change, said:”Today’s launch of the second phase of GCOF shows that government is committed to addressing its carbon impact where emissions from air travel are a consequence of carrying out essential government business. Offsetting has a legitimate role to play in managing emissions where they cannot be avoided or reduced.
”Using Gold Standard or equivalent, Kyoto-compliant credits approved under the government’s Quality Assurance Scheme for carbon offsetting not only means that the carbon impact of government air travel is mitigated, but that the government is continuing to support sustainable development in developing countries.”
Land Rover offsets CO2 emission from manufacturing,
Land Rover have made history today by announcing that they are the first car manufacture to offset the CO2 emissions from manufacturing and assembly.
The proceeds of the carbon offsetting will go to to Climate Care and are used to support a range of environmental projects.
These project with the support of Land Rover will prevent the release of 2 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Carbon Neutral Car Insurance – An easy way to carbon offset
With a growing number of carbon offsetting car insurance schemes available, insurance companies are beginning to encourage drivers to do their bit to stave off global warming and improve the atmosphere.
As all conventional cars produce carbon dioxide, around 27 billion tonnes of CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere each year. This figure is playing a significant role in changing the climate that we live in today.
Carbon offsetting acts as a means of wiping out the environmental damage that occurs daily – even when you use your car to drive around the corner to your local post office or supermarket.
The overall premise of carbon neutral car insurance is that providers take your premium and invest a percentage of it in environmental projects on your behalf.
These projects could range from planting new trees in the rainforests to offshore wind farming – they all work to creating a self-sufficient, cleaner environment.
Most carbon offsetting websites provide their own calculators to show drivers the total extent of the damage created by CO2 pollution from their vehicle.
The average family car produces an average of one tonne of CO2 for every 1,900 miles on the motorways.
Carbon neutral car insurance companies are not only encouraging you to lead a carbon neutral lifestyle but their policies are just as competitive as the high street brokers.
Take note of the world around you and consider purchasing your carbon neutral car insurance online whilst securing a competitive deal.
January 25, 2010
Skoda sees record global sales in 2009
SkodaAuto increased its overall worldwide sales last year, bettering its previous sales record. In total, Skoda sold 684,226 cars in 2009, up 1.4 per cent on the previous year.
Skoda’s strongest market was Western Europe with both sales and market shares seeing an increase in the continent. Germany remained the strongest region with over 190,000 sales, up 57.3 per cent year-on-year. However, the biggest sales gain was in China with over 122,000 cars registered, a rise of 107 per cent.
The UK also experienced a record year selling over 37,200 cars and obtaining a market share of 1.9 per cent. The best-selling Skoda in the UK was the Fabia, which sold 18,500 units. Octavia accounted for 13,800 units, Superb 2,600, Roomster 1,500 and the newly launched Yeti sold 700 units.
On an international scale, the best-selling Skoda during 2009 was the Octavia, with more than 270,000 cars sold. The Octavia was closely followed by the Fabia, of which over 260,000 were registered.
The biggest sales increase was recorded by the multi-award winning Superb of which almost 45,000 were sold. The recently launched Skoda Yeti crossover found over 11,000 new owners last year. The company also sold over 47,000 Roomsters worldwide.
Reinhard Fleger, Skoda Auto’s board of directors member responsible for sales, said: “During this difficult time that the global economy is experiencing, we have managed to stabilise the company’s sales.
“We have been helped by the strategic and rapidly developing Chinese market, also interest from customers in Western Europe strengthened following the introduction of the car-scrappage bonus.”
Reinhard added: “We have also counted on a high standard of quality for our products, innovations and an expansion of our range of models. According to all estimates, 2010 will be a difficult test.
“We are placing our hopes for positive development on the models that have been recently launched and other models that will be launched in the new year and on expansion in to further developing markets.”
With 2010 starting with its most comprehensive and competitive range of cars ever and its trophy cabinet full of awards, Skoda’s new decade is shaping up to be even more successful than the last.
Pictured: New Skoda Fabia, the best selling Skoda in 2009 UK.
New Mazda 5 sets eye on Europe
The new Mazda5 will premiere in March at the Geneva Motor Show. The new Mazda5 has been designed and developed for European families with active lifestyles.
Hideki Matsuoka, Mazda5 programme manager, said: “In approaching development of the all-new Mazda5.
“Our team aimed to create a new C-MAV that combines superb practicality with the superior environmental performance these modern times demand and a new expression in stylish design.”
The new Mazda5 is a further evolvement on Mazda5 and will have rear sliding doors and up to 7-seat Karakuri flexibility in the cabin alongside an exterior unique to the segment.
This design, which also uses elements of Mazda’s ‘Nagare Flow’ design language, is also highly functional and contributes to fuel efficiency by achieving a particularly low drag coefficient, together with optimal lift and air-flow stability characteristics.
The new Mazda5 is fitted with a newly-developed 2.0-litre DISI petrol engine equipped with i-stop, and a six-speed manual transmission with gear ratios specific to this version. The new direct-injection petrol engine offers linear and smooth performance characteristics.
It achieves about 15 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the 2.0-litre petrol model it replaces. The petrol line-up also features a 1.8-litre engine with a six-speed manual transmission.
The new Mazda5 will go on sale across Europe later this year.
New BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible – class acts
The new BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible will now be available with a raft of improvements and changes.
The range now offers owners more power and torque with lower fuel consumption and emissions.
The class-leading new BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible come with design changes and interior enhancements.
The company will also launch the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon, its cleanest 3 Series ever. All the new engines and models make their debut in the UK market on March 20, 2010 and all conform to EU5 emissions standards.
Tim Abbott, managing director of BMW UK, said: “Competition in the car market is hotter than ever today.
“The BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible were already class-leading models, but we have no intention of sitting on our laurels and are offering customers more of what they want, on-road performance and ever more fuel efficiency with lower CO2 emissions combined with a refreshed look inside and out.
“These inspirational models come at the same time as a true CO2 champion in the form of the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Saloon. This is a car which combines true BMW performance with astonishing fuel efficiency.”
The new BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible accelerate from standstill to 62 mph in 8.0 seconds and has combined fuel consumption of 68.9mpg complemented by CO2 emissions of 109g/km.
All new BMW 3 Series variants go on sale in the UK on 20 March, 2010.
Pictured: New BMW 3 Series Convertible and Coupe.
New Kia Ray – lighting up your drive
The new Kia Ray is Kia’s latest concept car, which will make its global debut at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show next month.
Styled by the team at Kia Design Centre America, the new Kia Ray project was undertaken to demonstrate how Kia’s evolving design direction would be applied in the packaging of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
The actual car will form the centre-piece of the Kia Motors America display at Chicago and the vehicle will contribute to Kia’s on-going development of alternative-fuel vehicles.
Kia has pioneered potentially real-life fuel cell vehicles and has working prototypes operating in California and Korea. It also has various hybrid-engined vehicles providing real-world data in various locations and plans to commercialise Liquefied Petroleum Gas hybrid vehicles in Korea within the next 12 months.
Currently no date has been set for hybrid Kia models to be put on sale in the UK but on-road testing of petrol and diesel hybrid vehicles is due to start in Britain this year.
New Mini Countryman – fun has no limits
The new Mini Countryman is the fourth model in its family.
As a Crossover, the new Mini Countryman hopes to bridge the gap between the classic MINI concept and a modern Sports Activity Vehicle.
As the first model in the Mini range with four doors and a wide-opening rear lid, the new Mini Countryman provides is designed for greater freedom of space, a slightly elevated seating position, and an optimised driving comfort.
The new Mini Countryman carries on the design of the brand in superior style and quality, combining larger body dimensions, greater ground clearance and four doors at the side with those unmistakable design features so characteristic of Mini.
The wide range of customisation options on both the exterior and interior are supplemented by new, model-specific features exclusive to the Mini Countryman.
The Mini Countryman standard features include air conditioning, the Mini Center Rail, and an audio system complete with a CD player.
New Ford Mondeo named top fleet car
The new Ford Mondeo is the most popular fleet car according to recent poll.
Industry website FleetDirectory.co.uk created a shortlist of popular fleet cars based on some of the top car searches performed on sister website, ContractHireAndLeasing.com. The results showed the new Ford Mondeo topping online poll forming a sizeable lead, taking 20 per cent of the total vote.
The second place was taken by the new BMW 3-Series, which raked in 14 per cent of the vote followed by the new Audi A6 in third, with 13 per cent of the vote.
Spokesperson for www.FleetDirectory.co.uk, Richard Lawton, said: “The new Ford Mondeo is a very popular, long-established model, fleets and fleet managers trust in its solid manufacture. Add this to its smart innovations over the year, including the recent addition of the ECOnetic technology and the Mondeo is understandably very popular as a fleet car.
“Its lead in our poll speaks volumes of Ford’s overall popularity among UK fleets and comes someway to explaining why Ford was the UK’s most popular carmaker last year.”
FleetDirectory.co.uk asked 763 website visitors: ‘In your opinion, which of the following is the best fleet car?’
New Nissan Cube – keeping residual value down
The new Nissan Cube, which has gone on sale in the UK, has excellent Residual Value according to experts.
Confirming the long lasting appeal of the new Nissan Cube, the used car professionals at CAP have set the Nissan’s Residual Value (RV) prediction at 45 per cent.
The rating means that after three years/30,000 miles the new Nissan Cube will save a significantly higher proportion of its original value than similarly sized but very differently positioned alternatives.
The Cube sits in the RV tables closer to models that sell on desirability than functionality. This matches its role in the Nissan range. It has been designed to attract those who desire a different take on the automobile.
Nissan UK managing director, Paul Willcox, said: “Depreciation is a crucial factor for any new car buyer to take into consideration before they choose their next new model.
“While one car might appear to be cheaper, once you have factored in what you are likely to get back when you come to sell, it might not look like such a bargain.
“The Cube is a quality product and every one will be in demand for many years after it leaves the showroom.”
The new Nissan Cube has a line-up with prices starting at £14,000 for the 1.6-litre manual model. Its 108bhp petrol engine offers 42.8mpg with emissions at 151g/km. A 1.5-litre diesel model will join the range in May.
While the Cube’s appeal is unique, it’s not the only Nissan to offer such strong Residual Values. The British-built Qashqai also the same 45 per cent RV rating as the Cube.
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