Title: When Size Matters
Description: Custom Fleet Australia commissioned this article on Car Choices.
Author: Charlotte Malycon © 2008
Credits: Please credit author and link to www.decypher.com.au
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As one of Australia’s largest Fleet Leasing & Management providers, we get a good snapshot of the changing attitudes in Australian car choices. Over the last few years our figures have mimicked those of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Annual Car Surveys.
We are seeing a significant shift away from large and luxury cars to smaller cars, fuel efficient SUVs and increasing requests for diesel, LPG and alternative-fuel cars. The 2007 ABS Motor Vehicle Survey (MVS) recognised that “the number of vehicles registered as using diesel fuel made up 11.2% of the total fleet, representing an increase of 34.5% since 2003.”
Here at Custom Fleet, we have seen similar shifts. Over the last quarter, large cars were down 5 per cent, and small car were up almost 6 per cent. Over the last year, fuel changes were also significant, with petrol down 3.59 per cent, diesel up 2.77 per cent and LPG up 1.83 per cent.
As discussed in last edition’s story on Fuel Choices, since the government introduced its substantial LPG rebate scheme, LPG conversions are steadily on the increase. Industry body LPG Australia claims that as at 23 December 2007 almost 100,000 grants have been paid.
Amongst discussion panels, the switch to more fuel efficient and alternative fuel vehicles has been attributed to Australia’s steadily increasing cost of petrol. However, the cost of these cars often makes it less economic to package them within the leasing sector. Regardless, our clients’ are increasingly requesting these vehicles. They are reflecting the change in buyer behaviour seen across the general automotive sector.
It seems that drivers are becoming as concerned about their environmental impact as they are their back pocket. Nowadays driving a smaller, fuel-efficient car is a much more impressive status symbol than steering a gas guzzling machine through crowded city centres.
There are of course times when we need larger vehicles. When transporting high volume goods or passengers, there is no denying that more space is required. But many are reconsidering the times they use it.
Executives with school age children often only need a big car for family holidays. A recent survey by Vroom, Vroom Vroom Car Rentals discovered that “During the past holiday period, bookings for full size, 4Wheel Drive and People Mover vehicles went up by 21 per cent in Australia, across all major suppliers.” Author Leah Bradicich attributes this increase to many city drivers sticking with smaller vehicles for work and renting the larger cars for getaways.
For those that need bigger vehicles on a daily basis, take heart in the fact that improved fuel efficiencies are high on the agenda for any manufacturer and weigh heavily in any model upgrades. Given most manufacturers release an upgrade every few years, it is here that the vehicle leasing sector really comes into its own, in allowing drivers to move into the most environmentally friendly model as soon as its released.
If you are interested in checking the fuel efficiency of your car visit the government’s independent, Green Vehicle Guide. Think carefully about what you use your car for and how many regular passengers you have and we’ll package a car to suit. If you have any questions, we can help. Call us on 1800 812 681.
