Drivers steer clear of green concerns
Sunday, February 4th, 2007Study shows buying an environmentally friendly vehicle ranked just 23rd among 26 reasons for purchase
TORONTO — The notion that fretful Canadians concerned about global warming are racing out to buy more environmentally friendly vehicles is overblown, according to a survey of new vehicle buyers by Maritz Research.
Buying an environmentally friendly vehicle ranked just 23rd among 26 reasons for purchase, the Maritz New Vehicle Customer Study of 38,500 buyers showed.
Protecting the environment ranked well behind value for money, fuel economy and reliability — the top three reasons for buying a certain vehicle — and was also less important to those surveyed than towing capability and interior styling. Even buyers of subcompact cars were more interested in storage and cargo capacity than environmental friendliness.
