Suzuki boss plugs first car buyers' scheme

Northern Territory News
Saturday 4/4/2009 Page: 2

Suzuki Australia boss Tony Devers wants to kick start car sales with a first car buyers' scheme similar to the first homeowners' scheme. Devers said this week the scheme could to be tailored to "green" car purchases as part of an incentive package for more efficient cars.

"We've al I seen the benefits to the building industry as a result of the first homeowners' scheme, which contributes up to $21,000 to first home buyers," he said. "If the Federal Government was serious about making environmentally efficient cars more appealing, why don't they consider a similar scheme for first car owners?" Devers said the level of incentive would have to be worked out but $5000 would be manageable.

Vehicle sales this year are down 20% as buyers desert showrooms and all brands are feeling the heat. Devers wants to link a first buyers' scheme to cars that deliver low greenhouse emissions and economy under 6 litres/100km. "By linking a first buyers' scheme to cars that meet 130 g/km of CO2, it has enormous potential to not only lower our greenhouse gas emissions, but also help save the lives of hundreds of young Australians.

"Last year, drivers aged between 18 and 25 made up almost 30% of all fatal crashes, despite representing only 14% of all drivers," he said. "One of the acknowledged factors in many of these crashes is the fact young people traditionally drive older vehicles. most of them lacking advanced safety features such as side curtain airbags or electronic stability control. "Making fuel-efficient cars with high safety levels more financially attractive with a bonus - like the home owners' scheme - addresses two major issues."

Devers said he had not shopped the first-car concept with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries but was seeking to put it out to the public. He admitted that Suzuki has a vested interest in low-emission cars because it will soon start selling its 1.0-litre Alto. The three-cylinder Alto emits just 113 g/km of CO2.

"But the issue of green cars and incentives is wider than just our interest," he said. "Every carmaker has similar cars in other markets with similar low emissions but there is little incentive to bring them here. "Customers shopping at this end of the market should not be rewarded for thinking with their conscience, as well as their wallet."