Eco Cars

[solutions4finance]

Obviously, my primary area of business is selling cars, vans, and gas guzzling 4x4's. It all goes against the grain a little when you take into account that I am a real "greenie" at heart.

An area of business that I would like to develop into is marketing more ecologically friendly transport. Not just looking at supplying cars like the new Honda, or the already available Toyota Prius, and the various other "hybrids", but also cars with good mpg, or even alternatives like the Segway.

Like all of us, I may have the vision, but desperatley lack the time to get things moving, but please keep an eye on the website as the dream hopefully grows into a reality.

Anyway, I'd be interested to hear your views on "eco-cars". What you like, how much you're prepared to pay, fuel availability, whether you believe that eco is good for the planet or just better for the pocket... anything at all which will help me to decide upon the direction I need to travel in.

We could have a few good discussions here, so please post up anything at all that you would like to know, or know about eco-cars

Thanks very much

Justin

[Beneddie1112]

Would love a Segway!

[Alvin]

well all the hybrids I have seen so far have a major cost penalty,allied to poor performance and mundane design.

My star of the moment is the Volkswagen Polo Blue motion.A well established all round performer with a scrooge like consumption.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/...t/mfpolo12.xml

Alvin

[solutions4finance]

I agree, the Polo is a fantastic car for fuel consumption. I've just heard today that the new VW Golf TDi is holding out at 59mpg combined... not bad either.

Segways are great fun. Ever tried one? We do the leasing for Segway UK, and I have been lucky enough to have one to play on... and loved it! I'll find out where the next round of Segway demos are due to be and post them up so you can go and try one for yourself.

Just

[solutions4finance]

Just as a matter of interest, say you had two identical cars in the market, but one was eco-friendly, would you be willing to pay a little more for a eco-friendly version?

[Alvin]

Just as a matter of interest, say you had two identical cars in the market, but one was eco-friendly, would you be willing to pay a little more for a eco-friendly version?

well that would depend on what a little more was.?

certainly go for the eco car if the price was right.

Alvin

[Jon Hills]

I read that those hybrid cars aren't actually eco friendly. They cost more in energy to build than they can possibly save. For sure it is the future, but it isn't really the answer...yet. That's how I see it anyway

[Jon Hills]

They are so very expensive as well!!!

[Rob_Buckley]

Have a look at the Loremo (LOw REsistance MObile) it comes out next year, runs on diesel and won the X prize for being the first car to average over 100mpg (it did 130-150!!)

It's German so will be reliable and is expected to be about £11K with the GT version being £15K.

They have a website loremo dot com and if you search google there is also a good article on msn's autos section. Sorry, I can't post full links as not enough posts yet.

I would love one as a company car as it looks amazing, no doors!!

[Alvin]

Amazing little car but they need to get the styling right.

Alvin