Statement on Mike Lee diesel comments

February 15, 2007

Statement from Peugeot New Zealand

If ARC chairman Mike Lee believes diesel vehicles are the number one cause of harmful vehicle emissions we need to have a serious talk with him.

To find out how clean diesel cars are now, Mike should take a test drive in one of the Peugeot HDi diesel cars running on the new diesel now available in New Zealand. The fact is, these cars use less fuel and emit less pollution than petrol-driven vehicles.

To help change people’s perception of diesel vehicles, we have already conducted HDi drive days for a number of regional councils and government departments including the defence force. All of them quickly changed their views.

In fact we have confirmed today the ARC will be invited to attend another such drive day to be hosted by the Ministry of Transport in March. Perhaps not unlike the Internal Affairs Department, the ARC should consider conducting a full factual report on exactly what sort of fleet they should consider.

It’s worth noting that every vehicle in the HDi range uses the same technology that’s in the Peugeot 607 HDi, the car the government is considering switching to.

Mike’s opinion of diesel could be coloured by the number of diesel trucks and used Japanese imports on New Zealand roads that use old diesel technology. New European technology has made a huge difference.

The differences between now and when Mike obviously last drove a diesel are twofold. First, the diesel is much cleaner with much of the sulphur removed. Second, the Peugeot HDi cars are fitted with world leading emission control filters that remove particles to below measurable levels.

This combination of new diesel and new technology adds up to a responsible option for New Zealand motorists and the ARC. Government has recognised this through its recommendation of a Peugeot HDi as one of the replacements for the existing cabinet fleet.

Simon Rose
National Sales Manager
Peugeot New Zealand

ENDS

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