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Porsche may use VW stake to avoid emissions rules

Porsche may use VW stake to avoid emissions rules

Kenneth Hall March 25th, 2008 Kenneth Hall By Kenneth Hall Author March 25th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 Porsche has a major challenge on its hands in the form of strict new fuel-economy and emissions regulations set to roll in across the U.S. and Europe in coming years. Carmakers are being forced to improve their average fleet-wide mileage and carbon emissions levels and for a niche brand like Porsche, which sells a limited range of high-performance models, meeting these new standards will be near impossible given the current deadlines. To get around the new regulations, Porsche may be able to merge its fuel-economy and emissions data with those of Volkswagen because of its increased stake in the German giant. The loophole is not unheard of in the auto industry, reports Automotive News. Ford reports Mazda fuel economy data as its own, even though it has only a minority stake in the Japanese automaker, and Ferrari may do the same with Fiat Group. A major hurdle is the fact that VW Group’s fuel-economy and emissions levels are still considered high. Porsche's manager for energy and the environment, Herbert Ampferer, revealed to reporters VW has "enough to do" to meet its own goals and will not be able to help. Some alternative solutions Porsche is examining includes launching fuel-efficient diesel and petrol-electric hybrid models, but these cars are unlikely to sell in high numbers and their respective launch dates are still years away.
Porsche may use VW stake to avoid emissions rules

Porsche may use VW stake to avoid emissions rules

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Porsche has a major challenge on its hands in the form of strict new fuel-economy and emissions regulations set to roll in across the U.S. and Europe in coming years. Carmakers are being forced to improve their average fleet-wide mileage and carbon emissions levels and for a niche brand like Porsche, which sells a limited range of high-performance models, meeting these new standards will be near impossible given the current deadlines.

To get around the new regulations, Porsche may be able to merge its fuel-economy and emissions data with those of Volkswagen because of its increased stake in the German giant. The loophole is not unheard of in the auto industry, reports Automotive News. Ford reports Mazda fuel economy data as its own, even though it has only a minority stake in the Japanese automaker, and Ferrari may do the same with Fiat Group.

A major hurdle is the fact that VW Group’s fuel-economy and emissions levels are still considered high. Porsche's manager for energy and the environment, Herbert Ampferer, revealed to reporters VW has "enough to do" to meet its own goals and will not be able to help.

Some alternative solutions Porsche is examining includes launching fuel-efficient diesel and petrol-electric hybrid models, but these cars are unlikely to sell in high numbers and their respective launch dates are still years away.

Tags: Industry

Posted in: Porsche, Volkswagen, News


Comments (9 total)

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  1. By chris #1, Posted: 3/25/2008

    I wouldn't call this a loop hole. It's smart. I've been saying this for a while; the sports car makers are going to have to buy up a bunch of people moving fuel efficient brands in order to maintain their low production, high thirst vehicles.

    the only reason why the american companies are in trouble is because they sell such a huge percentage of large trucks, SUV's, and big V8 sedans. It's not that any one company is significantly more or less fuel efficient or even polluting, its just a matter of how you interpret the numbers.

    some one put out CAFE ratings for MACK, Volvo trucks, and Freightliner.

  2. By roger #2, Posted: 3/25/2008

    That may work in the USA,but,in Europe each model is rated on its own emissions;not on the Manufacturers Fleet average!

  3. By van der wath #3, Posted: 3/25/2008

    doesnt any one thing that this carbon emissions stuff is becoming a pain in the a##....I am not saying people should ruin the world...i am just saying we should look for new types of fuels in the world. stuff which is available widely and cheaply to the world...i mean lets face it...crude oil is the only source of fuel in the world which is available widely....i mean u get petrol and other such products everywhere but same is not the case with ethanol...or hydrogen fuel or other sorts of fuel....untill or unless we dont find a new source of fuel to satisfy the needs of the whole world the problem of pollution will continue

  4. By shortroot #4, Posted: 3/25/2008

    Roger: Are you saying that no car in Europe will be tolerated with a CO2 ouput of greater than 130/140 gCO2/km, when the new emissions regulations come into effect, because that is not how I understand the system will work. I think as long as you are putting out less than the limit of CO2 per km average per car, you will be within the law.

    I think you have a good point van der wrath, but legislation will - and is - serving as a good 'kick up the arse' for car makers to begin to change their ways.

    I think there has been a lot of fuel wastage in America for a long time with fuel prices being so low, and it is a god thing that car makers are being forced to improve the situation. I am not meaning to pick on America, but there fuel prices have traditionally been lower than those of a lot of other countries, possibly with the exception of Saudi Arabia et al..

    I don't want to see supercars become extinct but pointless wastage should be discouraged. The real problem is people who feel they need a V8 just to go down to the shop to buy some milk. Supercars are much more rarely used and that fact should be factored into emissions regulations. Perhaps there should be a charge according to how many miles you do and in what sort of car i.e. taxed based on your carbon footprint and how necessary your journey is?

  5. By van der wath #5, Posted: 3/25/2008

    i agree wid u shortroot that taxation should be a little more technical than just how many co2 emissions ur car produces....i like the idea of cars being taxed according to miles per gallon or kilometers per liters. I am not saying that these taxes should not exist i am just saying instead creating a hype about co2 emmisions we should concentrate or create a hype for alternative fuels sources which are cheap and widely available...because every one knows that oil is runin out and prices are not going to come down. All the economies of the world depend on oil today...prices of food products are goin to go up specially in poor countries... my point is the whole world has to stop depending on oil in order to stop pollution and prices goin up...and the only way we can stop our dependancy on oil is to find a fuel source that is ceaply and widely available.

  6. By Gus #6, Posted: 3/25/2008

    Well, I for one enjoy having my V8 sporty car. I don't use the vast majority of it's power on a daily basis, but when I go for a drive in the mountains, I love having it there. Just 100% absolutely flat out love it.
    And, I don't want anyone telling me I can't have it.
    Give me a better solution, fine. Ethanol powered from switchgrass? Fine. Electric with similar performance, range and refuel-charging time? Fine. Just don't tell me I have to ride a bike.
    I love how America is still mostly ruled by a free market system. Price of gas? Depends on oil and how much people are willing to pay. I don't commute so it doesn't affect me as much.
    Freedom!!!

  7. By MyWheelsOnWalls.com #7, Posted: 3/26/2008

    Shortroot, have you set foot in America? People do drive to supermarkets in V8's but they also tow boats, RV trailers, dirt bilkes, snow mobiles, and any thing else we AMERICANS can buy as toys. Try doing that in a 1 litre something punto!!!! Also not taxing the living daylights out of people gives them money to go buy the toys in the first place and not 1 litre somethngs. Lets face the truth here the reason Europeans drive what they drive comes down to what is left of their income after their governments have their fair share. Funny how you cover up socialism and high tax rates by saying how enviro-friendly you are.

    I know but please dont bother with a response as I've already heard that its all George Bush's fault......

  8. By peste #8, Posted: 3/27/2008

    You may take my V8... but you will never take my.. freeeeeeedom

  9. By NaBUru38 #9, Posted: 3/29/2008

    "Perhaps there should be a charge according to how many miles you do and in what sort of car i.e. taxed based on your carbon footprint and how necessary your journey is?" Shortroot, that kind of tax is called fuel tax, so there's no need to invent somthing new.

    About the Volkswagen Group, they have a real lack of city cars (A-segment). That Up concept must get into production fast, and Seat and Skoda should get their owns (with different styling of course). The Octavia might get a hatchback bodystyle too. Meanwhile, Audi is making a good move with the A1 and the TT TDI.

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