My comment back to the editor is at the bottom. I'm tired of phrases like "gas-guzzling" being thrown at the general public just in order to sensationalise the debate. It's already one-sided as they come.
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Buyers drop 4-wheel drive
From:
By Nicki Bourlioufas
November 21, 2005
Sales of 4-wheel drives dropped 11.9 per cent in October as high petrol prices turned off buyers / File
AUSTRALIAN car sales plummted in October, their biggest drop in more than one year, led by poor sales of petrol guzzling four-wheel drives.
New motor vehicle sales fell 6.7 per cent in seasonally adjusted terms, to 78,973 vehicles in October from a downwardly revised 84,636 units in September, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said today.
Falls were recorded across all vehicle types. Sales of four-wheel drives dropped the most, down by 11.9 per cent over the month as higher petrol prices turned buyers away.
Sales of new passenger vehicles declined by 5.8 per cent. Sales of other motor vehicles fell by 4.5 per cent.
Sales of four-wheel drives and larger cars have taken a hit in recent months after petrol prices reached $1.30 a litre in several capital cities with the higher price of oil on global markets.
At the same time, sales of smaller cars have soared as drivers seek to reduce petrol costs.
All states and territories recorded decreases in the seasonally adjusted estimates for sales of new motor vehicles in October 2005 compared with September 2005. Car sales fell 19.0 per cent in Tasmania, 12.8 per cent in the Northern Territory, the largest falls across the nation.
Sales in South Australia fell by only 1.4 per cent, while in New South Wales, new car sales fell 9 per cent, 6.1 per cent in Victoria and 4.9 per cent in Queensland.
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In reference to your story today about sales of "gass-guzzling" 4WD's falling. Your publication seems to enjoy casting general misinformation in this regard, for the sake of the self-styled bandwagon your publication and the rest of the media are on. One of my 4WD's - a 2-tonne Jeep Grand Cherokee (common rail diesel technology) has just come off a trip back from the Snowies to
Sydney and returned an average 8.2L/100km - and maintained the legal speed limit of 110kmh on the freeways, and 100kmh on two-lane highways the whole way back. Hardly "gas-guzzling" I would have thought. I'd like to know when your objective
views might entertain a rebuttle now and again from someone in 4WD circles - just to balance up the debate. 4WD manufacturers are working hard to make their offerings more fuel efficient, and modern engine technology (especially diesel) looks as though 4WDers can can now afford to have their cake and eat it too.
When car manufacturers design a 2WD "gas sipper" capable of taking me, my family and all our
camping gear where we want to go in the mountainous high country we love - please let us know. Until then, understand that these machines are purpose-built for these activities. If you want to slam the soccer mums of this world - then go right ahead. We genuine 4WDers also think the same as you in regards to the Toorak/Double Bay "tractors" and abhor their rise in popularity. Even then - they have the RIGHT to buy and drive whatever they darn
well like.
Please be fair in your headlines and acknowledge that most new 4WD's sold these days potentially consume less than your average Falcon or Commodore if driven responsibly. You may wish to let the public know this too.
Cheers
Chris