MSNBC/Financial Times: SUVs in Europe refuse to take back seat - by John Reed
SUVs in Europe refuse to take back seat- - by John Reed
European lawmakers' attempts to convince their citizens to drive smaller cars appear to be falling on deaf ears with ever greater numbers buying much-maligned sport utility vehicles. This dissonance between policy and practice will be evident at this week's International Motor Show in Frankfurt, where carmakers – alongside their new "green" low-emission small cars – will be showing off an eye-catching range of small and mid-size sport and mid-size utility (SUV) and crossover vehicles, one of Europe's fastest-growing segments.
Unlike the gas-guzzling larger SUVs common in the US and reviled by environmental activists worldwide, most of Europe's newest crop of SUVs and crossovers are more compact and fuel-efficient.
Comment EU-Digest: "the only way to put some controls on this excess is for Governments to step in and increase taxes on these vehicles."
