Big Savings from Small Engines

In the past many social preconceptions would have led you to believe that “bigger is always better”. Advertisements and social pressures would ensure you desire the latest 4×4 or a new TV set with a larger display, however with consumers becoming increasingly savvy in regards to finances, the saying “less is more” is becoming progressively  common.

Retailers, manufacturers and leading designers are fully aware of this growing trend, especially within the motoring industry, where continued price hikes in oil, petrol and diesel are a concern for every motorist.

Consumer Pressures

Individuals and businesses alike are constantly looking for ways to ensure precious finances go further in a fragile economy. Continued increases in prices at the fuel pump are prolonging the misery of the recent double dip recession for many households and businesses. Such is squeezing already tight disposable incomes meaning there is now less money in people’s pockets throughout the economy. 

Petrol prices around the globe hit an all-time high earlier this year and many leading experts warn that such trends are only going to continue as oil reserves diminish. With this in mind the once large consumer demand for idealistic larger vehicles is now being replaced with requests for more eco-friendly, efficient automobiles. Consumers are now less likely to worry about what the neighbours might think and the social status connected to their motor vehicle due to urgencies for financial savings.

Despite proactive changes made by consumers and businesses to reduce the need and use of vehicles and generate savings through the implementation of company fuel cards.

Industry Changes

The powers of demand have urged car manufacturers to develop and supply vehicles with fewer emissions, cost saving potential and increased miles per gallon. 2012 has proven to be a fantastic year for the development of such; the market is now full of “mean green cost effective machines”.

It is apparent that shifts in the marketplace have already begun towards vehicles powered by alternative fuel methods such as electricity, bio fuel, LPG and the highly popular hybrid technology. Recent times have seen the release of the eagerly anticipated Nissan Leaf, which is solely powered by electricity. Many sceptics, in the past, have criticised the production of electric cars by suggesting that the models are simply not viable. Such preconceptions were formed on earlier models that were expensive and had poor battery range.

The Nissan Leaf is answering most of these questions through the use of a battery with a range of over 100 miles, a starting price of £25,990 and fast recharge times. Time will tell us if the Nissan Leaf can be the environmental and economic answer it promises to be.