Imported cars represented two thirds of the market for models emitting less than an average 140g of CO2 per km, the German importers’ trade association VDIK reported. They sold 324,836 cars in this category, of a total of 628,343.
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Import brands accounted for 36% of all cars sold in Germany last year. Sales were up 6.9% year on year in an overall market down 9%.
The VDIK said that 65.1% of all cars rated below 130g/km CO2 were import brands while 136 import models were on offer below this threshold. This compares with 73 models from German manufacturers.
The VDIK is calling for greater government incentives for the purchase of environment-friendly vehicles, Automobilwoche said. It added that the VDIK welcomes the CO2-based taxation for cars due from 2009.
While the VDIK represents manufacturers of small cars, and German manufacturers tend to focus on upscale and luxury cars, it too has protested against proposed EU legislation to limit CO2 emissions to an average of 130g/km by 2012.
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By GlobalDataVDIK president Volker Lange told Automobilwoche that he had hoped that the VDIK and the German manufacturers association, the VDA, would coordinate on how they would object to the EU proposals, but this has not happened.
He added that, while the brands he represents do have a competitive advantage in the fact that it is easier for them to comply with the proposals, “it is wrong to think that all VDIK members would benefit from the EU plans.”
