Toyota and Fiat have dipped under the target for emissions for 2012 set by the EU.

The manufacturers recorded average CO2 emissions of 127.9 g/km and 129.7 g/km for 2009 respectively, beating the target of 130 g/km three years early.

Ford also performed strongly, just missing the target with a figure of 131.7g/km.

These results helped reduce new car CO2 emissions over the year by 5.6 per cent, with the average output of 149.8 g/km, a record 8.9 g/km less than the previous year.

Jay Nagley, cleangreencars.co.uk publisher, said: "The fact that two mainstream car manufacturers have now met the target means that no major car company has an excuse if it cannot reach 130 g/km by 2012."

Mr Nagley added, though, that the government’s scrappage scheme – due to last until the end of February, or when funding runs out, whichever comes first – was responsible for much of the progress and significant improvement will be necessary in order to keep up the momentum in 2010.

Please share your thoughts

You must be logged in to post a comment.