JATO: TOP 50% OF EUROPEAN VEHICLES NOW AVERAGE ONLY 130g/km CO2

12 February, 2009



TOP 50% OF EUROPEAN VEHICLES
NOW AVERAGE ONLY 130g/km CO2 EMISSIONS,
SAYS NEW REPORT FROM JATO CONSULT



*           Report also reveals that future CO2 targets remain a tough
challenge for the industry

*           Report provides in-depth analysis of 21 markets, covering
all brands and models

*           Good progress has been made with top 50% of vehicles now
averaging 130g/km. 2015 target of 100% compliance is achievable, says
JATO



JATO Consult, the new intelligence consultancy division of JATO
Dynamics, the world's leading provider of automotive data, has published
a detailed report available to the industry on its analysis of European
automotive CO2 figures.

The report covers 21 countries, of which 19 are EU member states and
studies volume-weighted CO2 emissions by country, segment and brand,
whilst also providing an in-depth analysis of the effects of
CO2-friendly vehicle technology and CO2-based taxation regimes across
the individual markets.

Highlights of the report reveal that by the end of the first nine months
of 2008, the best performing 50% of the new car market is now averaging
130g/km, a figure which compares favourably to 39% in 2007 and only 24%
back in 2003. However, with EU targets now set to achieve 100%
compliance by 2015, the industry must act swiftly and decisively to have
a realistic chance of meeting this requirement within the 6 year time
frame.

"Advances in vehicle technology are making significant inroads into
reducing CO2 emissions", says David Di Girolamo, Business Manager for
JATO Consult. "However, the requirements for the ongoing improvement in
vehicle safety, as well as the increasing desire for higher levels of
standard equipment are both factors that are at odds with reducing
weight and, therefore, emissions. In the long term, government led
consumer incentives to purchase lower emission vehicles will make the
biggest impact."



The report also reveals that countries that have introduced CO2 based
taxation systems have generally witnessed the biggest reductions in
emissions. All the countries studied have reduced their volume-weighted
average CO2 emissions in 2008, with the exception of rapidly evolving
Slovenian market. Many European markets have benefited from the
increasing popularity of the small 'B' segment cars, which are amongst
the most efficient in the market place. SUVs witnessed a decline in
popularity in the first nine months of 2008, a trend that should assist
in the ongoing reduction in emissions. JATO suggests that SUVs currently
account for 9.4% of the total of European new car emissions.

The report is available on www.jato.com/Consult and updates will be
available throughout the year. For more information please visit
<http://www.jato.com/Consult> www.jato.com/Consult or email
consult@jato.com.

-Ends-



Editorial note: JATO Dynamics background

JATO was founded in 1984 and provides the world's most timely, accurate
and up-to-date information on vehicle specifications and pricing, sales
and registrations, news and incentives. The company has representation
in over 40 countries, providing unique local market expertise. The JATO
client base includes all of the world's volume vehicle manufacturers,
giving them the ability to react to short-term market movements, plan
for long-term developments and ultimately to meet consumers' needs.
JATO's data has also been adapted for consumer use in motoring web
portals where customers can see the advantages and disadvantages of a
specified model against any other while major leasing companies use JATO
data to drive the vehicle quotation process. Visit JATO at
<http://www.jato.com/> www.jato.com



For further press information, please contact:

Peter Haynes

UKIP PR

Tel: +44 (0) 1306 743744

  p.haynes@ukintpress.com