VAUXHALL’S ECOFLEX RANGE TOPS BUYERS’ GREEN LISTS
12,300 new ecoFLEX models registered in 2009
Corsa 1.3 CDTi most popular ecoFLEX model
Two new models set to boost ecoFLEX appeal still further
It’s a very happy New Year for the fleet team at Vauxhall, with the highly successful ecoFLEX low-emissions range of cars reporting record sales for 2009.
Almost 12,300 new ecoFLEX vehicles were registered to fleet customers across the UK, more than twice as many as other UK competitors, representing 26 per cent of Vauxhall’s fleet diesel sales and 9 per cent of the total 2009 Vauxhall fleet sales.
The sub-119g/km 5-door Corsa 1.3 CDTi was the most popular vehicle for fleet specifiers over the last 12 months, accounting for almost 40 per cent of ecoFLEX sales and again proving to be nearly three times as popular as its nearest competitor. The 5-door Astra estate and 5-door hatchback were the second and third most requested, followed closely by the Insignia 5-door hatchback.
Paul Adler, Brand Manager Vauxhall Fleet commented: “Vauxhall are committed to delivering on the twin pillars of reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel economy to bring true savings to fleet decision makers and company car drivers alike. The ecoFLEX range makes it easy for business car buyers to be ‘green’ as well as save money. And with more Vauxhall ecoFLEX models to come, we believe 2010 will see even greater growth.”
The Vauxhall ecoFLEX range offers fleets considerable cost savings over the life of the car. Some ecoFLEX models fall into Vehicle Excise Duty Band A, meaning they attract £0 excise duty. The entire range qualifies for the Capital Allowance regime, which allows fleet decision makers to write down 20 per cent of the car’s cost, and offset 100 per cent of the lease payments against tax.
Indeed, the new Corsa 1.3CDTi ecoFLEX (95PS) models and the New Astra 1.3CDTi ecoFLEX (95PS) models offer CO2 emissions of less than 110g/km qualifying for a 100 per cent writing down allowance. In fact, the new Corsa 1.3 CDTi ecoFLEX (95PS) 3-dr model’s CO2 emissions have dropped to just 98g/km, matching the best in class, and are complemented by a combined fuel economy figure of 76.3mpg.
Savings on fuel are another benefit with ecoFLEX, the Astra 5dr Hatchback and Insignia 5dr Hatchback models show on average between 11 and 12 per cent improvement in combined fuel economy when compared to the standard equivalent, which means that each vehicle is able to travel over 50 miles further on a single tank of fuel.
The ecoFLEX models’ aim is to achieve lower emissions through a combination of technical changes to each of the models. Ultra low rolling resistance tyres, modified gearing, revised engine management fuel mapping and aerodynamic changes each contribute to improving the fuel consumption, with only a slight trade off in acceleration.
Vauxhall now offers over 50 different ecoFLEX models to support businesses and drivers, one of the largest ranges of environmental models in the UK. The company has a team of fleet sales managers across the country who have been trained specifically in promoting the benefits of the ecoFLEX range to its customers.
Vauxhall has created a microsite (www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/microsite/ecoflex) dedicated to highlighting the benefits of ecoFLEX to its customers. It features information on the environmental and cost-saving advantages as well as a step-by-step guide for drivers to help reduce their environmental impact through smarter driving techniques. The driving style advice is taken directly from the Act On CO2 website and can lead to an 8 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions as well as saving up to a month’s worth of fuel per year.
