The five largest car manufacturers in Europe have increased the prices of the cheapest models by an average of 41% since 2019, “almost double” the inflation rate accumulated during this period, indicates a study published this Monday.
The prices of a Peugeot 208, a Seat Ibiza and a Renault Twingo rose almost 6,000 euros, 37.56%, while the Mercedes Class A and B models increased more than 10,000 euros (38% and 37%, respectively). according to a new analysis published by environmental non-governmental organization (NGO) Transport & Environment (T&E).
Prices rose “well above” inflation levels or the cost of raw materials and other components, meaning that builders made “record profits” of €64 billion in 2022 and distributed stock dividends worth 27 billion euros this year.
According to the data analyzed, T&E highlights, this situation occurs at a time when manufacturers “fight to thwart the new anti-pollution measures, the Euro 7 standard, with a cost of 200 euros per car”, claiming that “they are too expensive and lead to unaffordable price increases.
“They have fought tooth and nail against anti-pollution technologies that save lives and cost only 200 euros per car. This shows that, for European manufacturers, profit always comes before people,” said the director of emissions and quality of T&E air vehicles, Anna Krajinská.
The European Commission proposed the standard in 2022, with the aim of reducing pollution from cars, vans, buses and trucks, to “save thousands of lives lost to air pollution” and “improve air quality” for all citizens. Europeans.
However, the car industry launched a campaign against the measure, with the main argument being that it was “too expensive” and would make cars, especially smaller and cheaper models, unaffordable for consumers.
The environmental NGO stated that “the European Parliament has one last chance” to act “in the interest of all Europeans and not just the automobile industry”, because, if it does not do so, between now and 2035 “100 million more highly polluting cars. will be sold and driven on European roads for decades to come.”
MEPs will meet in plenary on Wednesday for a final vote, before starting negotiations with the European Commission and the European Council.
Source: TSF
