Shirak defends eco-premium

Shirak defends eco-premium

The statements of the WWF and VCÖ in connection with the eco-premium proposed and supported by the Viennese vehicle trade and the entire Austrian automotive industry cannot remain unchallenged, especially since the majority of the statements contained therein cannot be surpassed in terms of “unobjectivity and populism”. “If Mr. Schellmann from the WWF dismisses the proposed eco-bonus as a ‘marketing gimmick and climate policy prank,’ then he has probably not dealt with the content of the proposed campaign in any way, but rather – as is usual with these environmental improvement associations – reflexively dismissed this idea,” says Schirak angrily. For this “marketing gag”, the Austrian motor vehicle industry (manufacturers/importers and authorized dealers together) would have to spend an impressive sum of millions in the double-digit range (!), depending on how many “pollutant-rich stinkers” would have to make room for new, modern and therefore low-emission and significantly safer cars. The fact that the vehicle industry is making and co-financing a significant contribution to improving environmental pollution and road safety appears to be a logical conclusion to everyone - except to the WWF.

At this point I would also like to say a word about the “emission-free mobility versus inefficient fossil vehicles” that both clubs have repeatedly brought up – as Mr. Schellmann presented in his press release: “I think it is currently pointless to consider whether the future belongs to electric, hybrid, hydrogen drives or gasoline and diesel engines or a surprise type of drive that cannot yet be foreseen: “There will be a mix of all of the above for a long time to come There are different types of drive systems for automobiles and it has not yet been agreed that fossil fuels will completely disappear from the market. The international automobile industry invests enormous amounts of money and considerable manpower in the development of optimal drive systems for automobiles and therefore any utopian-seeming specifications regarding pollutant emissions in automobiles are unnecessary Motor vehicle industry, dear Mr. Schellmann? Presumably at the WWF itself, which is fighting for attention with populism in order to be noticed at all, at the expense of others,” said the retail spokesman.

And Schirak is convinced: "Of course, the eco-bonus would bring about the same level of success as the result of the financial crisis about 10 years ago. It would also help the Austrian vehicle industry and of course this would mean a few thousand more new car sales, which we are committed to and the industry would be very happy about. Above all, it also pleased the finance minister in anticipation of significant tax revenue. All very positive aspects, because it would create a large number of jobs both at home and abroad Manufacturing plants could be saved, which does not seem to be a particular concern for Mr. Schellmann from the WWF and probably also the representatives of the VCÖ.”