UK: 4x4 vehicles face uphill struggle against shaky oil prices and a bad green image
Record ID:
1539852
UK: 4x4 vehicles face uphill struggle against shaky oil prices and a bad green image
- Title: UK: 4x4 vehicles face uphill struggle against shaky oil prices and a bad green image
- Date: 18th September 2008
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (REUTERS) 4X4 CAR DRIVING DOWN ROAD ALONGSIDE CYCLIST ON BIKE 4X4 TURNING CORNER 4X4 IN TRAFFIC JAM SPECIAL EDITION MODEL (200 ONLY) CELEBRATING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST LAND ROVER 'DEFENDER' ON DISPLAY UNDER TENT LAND ROVER BICYCLES NEAR 4X4 VEHICLE LAND ROVER STAFF SPEAKING WITH CLIENT ON DRIVING SEAT
- Embargoed: 3rd October 2008 16:32
- Keywords:
- Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky,Transport
- Reuters ID: LVAE0E8VGEQL2IO2CIP35OPNYDHK
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Uncertainty in oil prices and environmental concerns are making a dent on the prestige of 4x4's, which are fighting back for their place as 'kings of the road.' The 4x4's, also known as SUV's, 'gas guzzlers', 'mum trucks', 'yank tanks', are everywhere -- driving to schools, supermarkets, shopping centres in London and other major cities around the world.
The economic gloom and increasing awareness of global warming have struck a blow in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) sector.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first Land Rover 'Defender', the father of all 4x4's.
Car manufacturers have closed SUV factories in the United States, sales are falling in Western Europe. Other markets remain buoyant, particularly the Middle East, the Gulf, Russia, China and emerging countries like India, Mexico, Brazil.
After a shock rise to a record 147 U.S. dollars a barrel in mid-July, oil prices have recently dropped to a six-moth low of less than $ 100 US dollars.
This dramatic fall in oil prices is a relief for people in love with their 4x4's.
Juliet Mellman, a lawyer who lives in North London, appreciates the space her two children, Jacob and Evie have inside the car.
"It is comfortable you know, it is very comfortable," she explained.
Juliet rarely drives the kids to school and sees herself as a consumer with a green conscience.
"I am not using the car I think irresponsibly and also I don't drive in central London, I use public transport. So, I don't really feel like I am one of those Chelsea tractors drivers maybe," she said while driving to the petrol station.
When oil prices peaked, Juliet was paying up to ���� 20 pounds (37.5 U.S.
dollars) extra every 10 days she filled her tank with diesel.
Now, she is going online for services where a car was needed before, saving money and keeping fit.
"I walk to the shops more and I am not driving to and from the supermarket. I am doing on the Internet, a lot more, a lot more."
Juliet's husband Oliver is also a lawyer. He has a second car, much smaller, which he uses to go to work.
4x4's cause the most pollution because of the size of their engines and the amount of petrol they burn. They emit nine more kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) per gallon than other cars.
Oliver makes his CO2 offset scheme, contributing for the programme 'Climate Care".
"I am not a heavy road user as displayed by the fact that when I do drive to and from work I use the smaller car, I won't use the 4x4," he says.
The 'mum trucks' became increasingly popular in the last five years and project an image of comfort, power and status. They are also blamed for being a threat to the environment, fuelling a debate between those for love them against those who hate them.
The action group 'Alliance Against Urban 4x4's' decided to take the fight against urban gas guzzlers literally into their own hands.
In leaflets that are made to look like parking tickets, co-founder Sarah Mitchell spreads the message that 4x4's are a 'poor choice of vehicle' because they are 'dirty, dangerous and anti-social.'
"The fake parking tickets are quite a fun way to get the message across. They think they got a parking ticket and they look. And actually it is about how unsafe that 4x4 is and how it is polluting the environment,"
she said.
Mitchell adds that urban use is not acceptable and thinks people who have those big cars are just driven by ambition.
"I think really there is no excuse for driving a 4x4 in the city or a town. 4x4's are meant to go off road. Only five per cent of them are going off the road. We've got no problems with farmers driving them. That's what they are made for. But in terms of being in a city or town is more of a status symbol than anything else," Mitchell says.
According to the Financial Times, the value of second-hand 4x4's have plunged 14% over the last year.
Ron Collins has two of the vehicles. When one was stolen, he said he bought a second one and now is struggling to sell the first one he recovered.
Collins, a London builder who uses his 4x4 for work, has been a target of another version of anti-urban 4x4 fake parking ticket and is not happy about it.
"I don't agree and I think they are totally wrong and think they should go and put these stickers on taxis and buses and all other things that kick a lot of muck and filth all the time. If they want to end pollution, end traffic jams in this country because the road works cause more traffic jams and pollution than any 4x4's on the road," he says.
The European lobby group Transport & Environment (T&E) reports consumers are increasingly switching to low emissions cars.
In Switzerland, there is a movement for a referendum proposing a general ban on sports utility vehicles.
In London, Roger Higman, Campaigns Coordinator of the environmental group Friends of the Earth, appeals for eco-friendly vehicles.
"Rising oil prices are unpopular but it has had one positive effect in that more people are buying more fuel efficient cars. That is reducing our dependance on oil but is also reducing the emission of carbon dioxide that are causing global warming," he told Reuters Television.
Second-hand dealers in London are said to be treating clients interested in 4x4's like royalty. Bargains sometimes happen even after the discount price on display.
A newspaper survey in the United Kingdom estimates that 76% of second-hand car dealers say the credit crunch has hit sales, 63% of customers moved downmarket and 55% are struggling to get credit.
Salesman Stan Milburn is optimistic that the worst has already passed after the poor conditions caused by the record high in oil prices.
"I think there is always going to be a market for 4x4's to be honest with you. And one day, I think if the price of oil goes down, people are going to buy more 4x4's."
Haunted by the oil crisis, economic downturn and pressure from green groups, the 4x4 brigade carry on driving, hoping their guzzlers will not run out of gas. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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