Fiat May Introduce Green Range To Line-Up

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Tue, 27 May 2008

Fiat is considering introducing a range of ultra-low CO2-producing cars to rival Volkswagen's BlueMotion and Ford's Econetic models .

The Italian carmaker already possess the most fuel-efficient car line-up in Europe (according to the data company JATO Dynamics) but accepts that other companies with a range of low-emissions models receive more recognition for their green efforts.

The Fiat Group, which includes the likes of Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari and Maserati, will announce new environmental policies later this year, with CEO Sergio Marchione expected to state his aims for Fiat to be acknowledged as the greenest car brand in the world.

Commenting on plans for the new range at a recent meeting in London, Fiat boss Lorenzo Sistino said: "We are talking about making rivals to Econetic and BlueMotion models ."

"We have technologies capable of reducing emissions, but the problem is that customers do not want to pay one Euro more unless there are advantages in terms of fuel consumption."

"However, if we can provide environmentally clean cars at the same price as other models, it is bound to benefit our image," he added.

Fiat confirmed that as a result of its emphasis on reducing carbon emissions it will continue to focus on adding small and medium-sized cars to its range, although work will start on a replacement for the six-seater Multipla MPV in 2010.

However plans to produce a compact 4x4 - one model currently absent from the carmaker’s line-up – would be "a difficult step with emissions in mind", according to Sistino.