As the global warming debate shifts its dimensions from summits to practicality, the hot-bed is the major technological modifications to let this place remain habitable for the coming generations.
Also, when it comes to technological modifications, it is not just the Chinese chimneys and for that matter the reluctant US attitude towards the greenhouse gas emissions that needs modification but Land Rover that is least favorite with the environmentalists also joins the dome.
Popularly known as ‘gas guzzling machines’ - Land Rover is all set to s work on lowering carbon dioxide emissions on its existing line-up through better engine management, reduced weight and other measures. Land rover has introduced a wide ranging pilot Co2 offset program and it is the largest of its kind, operated by car industry.
It’s high time when the emission issue must be given the importance it deserves and the company has recognized this fact. Geoff Polites the first man for the land rovers and its sister brand explained that the emission issue was ‘high on our radar’.
The company is working out on reducing weight and trying to adopt some other measures and going small is one of these measures to lower the emission levels. And according to Geoff
Part of the process will include downsizing and smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
For now the smallest Rover is the Freelander compact SUV and it emits 194g CO2 per km which is 54g higher than the target which has been promised by the car makers to the European Union for the year 2008. Still the company discards the claims that its products are polluting suburban tractors
On the question of producing smaller vehicles Mr. Polites replied ‘We may have to do something, especially if our customers want us to.’ He did not comment on the ongoing search of buyers by the Ford Motors for its two UK brands; for which its advisers Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and HSBC sent out partial monetary information to a small group of private equity funds in recent days. The two US automakers are hoping that it gets finalized as a deal.
With Jaguar also reporting losses for the past year and decreasing share in market with time, it is also adding up to the companies woes. But if we believe the company’s head he was reported saying that Jaguar ‘will lose less money than last year’ and Land Rover he said is going to make ’significantly more’.
In the year 2006 land rover sold about 1,94,000 units and its back on track this year with its sales registering an increase of 9% in the first half. The company needs to invest a huge sum towards developing emission cutting technology if it does want to make it around here.
Image : CartoonStock
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