<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/may/15/car-companies-spending-up-on-ads-for-suvs-despite-australias-new-fuel-efficiency-standards>
"Carmakers continue to aggressively market SUVs and 4x4s to Australians even as
the government rolls out new fuel efficiency standards.
Advertising expenditure on the large, highly polluting vehicles leapt by 29%
between 2022 and 2023 – and 59% since 2010 – undermining the environmental
benefits of rising electric car use and countering new vehicle efficiency
standards, according to climate advocacy group Comms Declare.
Its analysis of digital, television, outdoor, radio, cinema and print
advertising data showed that spending on advertisements for SUVs rose to $125m
in 2023. Online advertising dominated and brand sponsorship alone increased by
412% since 2010.
The advertising figures coincided with an 188% increase in SUV sales, with the
vehicles now accounting for well over half of the market.
And, despite the $52m spent on advertising electric and hybrid vehicles in 2023
– and a 60% increase in their sales – overall advertising expenditure on low
emissions vehicles more than halved since 2010, largely due to a collapse in
the advertising of small cars, the data showed. Sales of hatchbacks and sedans
remained steady.
The authors noted that Australia is unique in that its roads are so heavily
dominated by “gas guzzling” SUVs and 4x4s. A report by the same group last year
found that 55% of all new passenger vehicles sold in Australia in 2021 had an
emissions intensity of more than 160 g/km of CO₂ emitted, compared with just
10% in Europe.
Passenger cars and light commercial vehicles are responsible for 60% of
Australia’s transport emissions and more than 10% of Australia’s total
emissions.
“Vehicle importers spent $651m on ads in 2023 and those ads rarely, if ever,
carry information about emissions or running costs”, stated the report, which
calls for advertising restrictions and fuel efficiency information to be
included in adverts."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
