Opel CEO Hans Demant, aims to bring a greater number of eco-models to the market.

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“We have a lot of cars that emit considerably less CO2 than the limits the EU is calling for,” Demant told Wirtschaftswoche. “However in the future we are of course looking to offer more economical models. The market is calling out for them,” he added.


After the lack of sales success for earlier economical ‘eco’ models, Demant said he believed consumers are now much more aware. He is expecting a general trend towards smaller cars and more economical engines.


Demand also called for politicians to ensure the wider availability of bio-fuels.


Signs that the market is warming up to low-CO2 vehicles will be welcomed by environmentalists and vehicle manufacturers alike. Manufacturers have argued for some time that the market is the problem.

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ACEA, the European vehicle manufacturers’ trade association, lists on its website seven low-CO2 vehicles that its members have marketed in the past but that have failed to take-off. The examples listed are as follows:



  • Audi Duo: In 1997 Audi introduced the hybrid vehicle Audi Duo. Only about 60 vehicles of this plug-in parallel hybrid car with the capability of pure electric driving and zero CO2 emissions could be sold, according to ACEA.

  • Fiat Auto’s Seicento Elettra: In 1998 Fiat launched an electric car, the Seicento Elettra, with zero CO2 emissions. Only 294 were produced between 1998 and 2002.

  • General Motor’s Astra and Corsa Eco: In April 2002, Opel launched the Corsa Eco, a highly economical petrol car with CO2 emissions of only 118g/km (later: 115g/km). It had a low purchase price and operating costs, and was seen as making advanced fuel-saving technology available to as many customers as possible at an acceptable price. Customers have been reluctant to buy this CO2-efficient model partly, it seems, because of its transmission, its smaller tyre-width, low rolling resistance tyres, and a more general association of ‘eco’ cars with unsatisfactory driving performance. This is despite the fact that the Corsa Eco was a version of the standard Corsa: its price was the same as for a standard 1.0l Corsa – so customers could save money through lower fuel consumption from day one.

  • Mercedes A160: Only about 29,000 vehicles of the low-emitting A160 were sold overall. Consumers showed a clear preference for the variants with higher power and fuel consumption, despite the higher sales price of these vehicles 

  • PSA’s electric vehicles: Since 1995, PSA has put on the market several electric vehicle models – the 106, Partner & J5 (Peugeot) and the AX, Saxo, C15 & Berlingo (Citroen). Despite real advantages being identified for such electric vehicles during market trials, their large-scale development has been put into question because of difficulties over their market acceptance. In fact since 1995, PSA’s production volume of such vehicles has only been around the 10,000 unit mark.

  • Renault’s electric vehicles: For some years, Renault has designed, mass-produced and sold electric vehicles. However, between 1993 and 1997, only 1,287 were registered. In 2002, Renault came back to the market with the Kangoo, but only 151 units were sold. In 2003 the ‘Kangoo Electr’road’ (with range extender) was launched but again did not meet with market success, despite high investments in electric vehicles by Renault (approximately EUR75m).

  • Volkswagen Lupo and Golf CityStromer: The ‘three-litre Lupo’ registered high sales just after the launch, but saw a much more swift and drastic decrease of sales compared to other models, indicating a limited customer base and market potential. In 1995 Volkswagen launched the Golf CityStromer as a pure electric vehicle developed and manufactured under real serial conditions. Nevertheless, sales did not exceed 150 vehicles due to lacking customer acceptance related to higher costs and lower performance compared to conventional cars.