Fiat's leadership in low CO2 emissions boosted

Data released by Clean Green Cars has again confirmed that Fiat was the lowest CO2 manufacturer, the Italian car maker has announced.

Earlier this year, another ranking confirmed Fiat's leading role in emission control. An analysis by Jato Dynamics had conferred the top spot to Fiat where it comes to the lowest average CO2 emissions value for vehicles sold in 2007.

The results of this important analysis rewards Fiat's ongoing commitment to finding innovative solutions to reduce levels of polluting emissions and CO2. Fiat's aim is always to stay as close as possible to people's real needs, and its commitment does not end here.

Fiat's research and development has heralded the arrival of new-generation turbochargers, combined with smaller capacity engines, which allow Fiat to achieve performance levels that are comparable to or even better than higher capacity power units, but with lower fuel consumption and emissions.

The figures from www.cleangreencars.co.uk show that in the first half of this year, the average CO2 output of new cars was 160.5 g/km of CO2, compared to 165.7 g/km of CO2 in the first half of 2007, a 3.2 per cent drop.

"The first six months of the year have seen the biggest drop in new car CO2 outputs on record," said Jay Nagley of Clean Green Cars. "The great irony is that rising fuel costs, not environmental concerns, have done more to accelerate the shift to more fuel efficient cars than any other initiative. Whether we like it or not, for most people saving money still trumps saving the planet when it comes to buying a new car."