VW’s Dark Side

June 28, 2011By Andy RowellBlog Post, Featured 18 Comments

Europe’s largest car maker, Volkswagen, is harbouring a “dark secret” according to Greenpeace. Despite its populist and consumer-friendly image, VW stands accused of greenwashing its dirty activities,  trying to water down action on climate change and refusing to make popular models more fuel efficient. According to Greenpeace, the car maker has repeatedly claimed that it … Read More

An Industry on Life-Support

April 7, 2009By Andy RowellBlog Post

Who would be a car-maker these days? The days of excessive glamour, speed and size are over and numerous global giants are limping along on life-support. The Obama Administration may have forced GM’s chairman and chief executive, Rick Wagoner, late last month, but there are still rumours that GM might have to file for bankrupty.

Obama to Tighten Auto Fuel Efficiency Standards

January 26, 2009By Andy RowellBlog Post 1 Comment

In another break from the failed Bush policies, today President Obama is expected to direct federal regulators to allow an application by California and 13 other states to set strict automobile emission and fuel efficiency standards. Known as the “Californian waiver” under the Clean Air Act, it would allow Californian and 13 others to set … Read More

The End of the Road?

December 12, 2008By Andy RowellBlog Post 1 Comment

It is over fifty years ago when the then Chief Executive of General Motors, Charles Wilson, famously told the Senate in 1953 that “for years I thought that what was good for our country was good for General Motors, and vice versa”. Not any more. It could well be the end of the road for … Read More

“A Good Day for Democracy”

September 26, 2008By Andy RowellBlog Post 1 Comment

Whilst the biggest political fight of the moment in Congress concerning the toxic bank bail-out continues to make headlines, another bitter political fight is coming to a head, but this one is in Brussels. On the one side are progressive MEPs, and members of the European Commission coupled with environmental groups and scientists who are … Read More

Norway: Drop “Green” Car Ads

September 18, 2007By Andy RowellBlog Post

Norway’s consumer ombudsman has targeted automakers who claim that their cars are “green”, “clean” or “environmentally friendly” with some of the world’s strictest advertising guidelines. Consumer ombudsman official Bente Oeverli said: “Cars cannot do anything good for the environment except less damage than others.” She said automakers such as Toyota, Opel, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Citroen, Saab … Read More