‘Benz Vans, Audi shine in FCAI emissions report

THE Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) this week released CO2 emission data for each automotive brand as part of its industry-led voluntary emissions standard.

Established in 2020, in the absence of a federally-led and mandated emissions target for Australia’s transport sector, the FCAI emissions standard aims to cap passenger cars and light SUVs (MA) to an average CO2 emissions figure of less than 100 grams per kilometre, and heavy SUVs and light commercial vehicles (MC+NA) to under 145g/100km by the end of the decade. The targets that the organisation set for 2021 were 150g/km for MA and 212g/km for MC + NA.

GoAuto reported last month that the FCAI said the outcome for 2021 was an average of 146.6g/100km (down from 150g/km in 2020) for MA and 212.5g/km (down from 218g/km in 2020) for MC + NA, but which manufactures performed well and which ones underperformed? 

In the MA category, 12 out of 39 brands came in under their targets. Mercedes-Benz Vans performed best with average CO2 emissions of about 66g/km below its target, followed by Toyota (-55g/km), Volvo Car (-47g/km), Porsche (-44g/km), Lexus (-40g/km) and Mini (-34g/km). 

Other brands that dipped below their targets in 2021 were (in descending order) Mercedes-Benz Cars, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi and BMW. All figures are rounded up. 

Of the top 10-selling car brands in Australia (according to March’s VFACTS), only market-leader Toyota beat its FCAI emissions target in MA. Mazda and MG were marginally above (by 3g/km and 7g/km), followed by Kia (+12g/km), Mitsubishi (+13g/km), Subaru (+14g/km), Nissan (+15g/km), Isuzu Ute (+16g/km) and Hyundai (+18g/km). Ford was the poorest performing top-10 brand; it was listed 34g/km above its target.

In the MC + NA category, nine out of 26 automotive brands bettered their respective targets, with Audi leading the way with -32g/km, followed by Mercedes-Benz Vans (-20g/km), Porsche (-16g/km), Volvo Car (-10g/km), Subaru (-9g/km), Peugeot (-9g/km), Land Rover (-6g/km), BMW (-4g/km) and Renault (-3g/km). 

As for the eight out of the top 10-selling car brands in Australia represented in the heavy SUV and light commercial vehicle category– only Subaru beat its FCAI emissions target (-9g/km). 

Ford performed notably better than in the passenger car and light SUV category and was only marginally above its target (by 2g/km); Toyota (+12g/km), Mazda (+16g/km), Isuzu (+14g/km) were slightly higher, with Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai at +22g/km, +29g/km and +30g/km.

FCAI chief executive officer Tony Weber said the results were testimony to the commitment automotive manufacturers had to lower emissions in Australia’s transport sector.

“Globally automotive manufacturers continue to spend billions of dollars on reducing the environmental impact of their vehicles. FCAI members have signed up to this Standard to support the introduction of the cleanest technologies to Australia’s roads.”

“We know pathways to our 2030 target will vary among manufacturers and is heavily impacted by model cycles. Individual brands may not achieve improvements each year and may not meet the annual industry target.

“Today’s results are important, but what really matters is our result in 2030. Regardless of individual outcomes, all brands should be commended for voluntarily signing up to this Standard. It is a commitment to achieve better outcomes for motorists, car makers and our environment.”

Manufacturers CO2 emissions performance:

*Combined CO2 emissions (g/km) of passenger and light commercial vehicles sold. The data shows only FCAI Member brands. The performance for each manufacturer is certified by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. The reported emissions are based upon measurements performed in a laboratory as per ADR 81/02. Such measurements may differ from real-world driving.