A CO2 emissions report released by the Motor Industry Association (MIA) has found that Audi vehicles had the lowest average CO2 output for cars sold from January to September 2009, compared to other luxury brands in the New Zealand market.

“Figures show that Audi has not only been the top-selling luxury car manufacturer in New Zealand in 2009, but in terms of CO2 emissions, it is also the most eco-friendly,” said Audi New Zealand General Manager, Dane Fisher. ”Audi has long emphasised the performance of its vehicles, but as the MIA research shows, it has also been successful at balancing the environmental impact of its vehicles”

Fisher added that the MIA’s findings reflected Audi’s strong commitment to developing environmentally friendlier vehicles. “Audi is dedicated to improving the fuel efficiency and emissions of its vehicles. Our goal is to reduce the CO2 output of our fleet by 20 percent by the year 2012. Having a focused, sustainable environmental policy is very important to both Audi and its customers”.

Audi, which recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary, has a long tradition of developing sustainable technology, including the introduction of its first hybrid model, the Audi duo, in 1990.

In recent years, Audi has steadily increased the efficiency of all its model lines, including the Audi A6, which consumes 15 percent less fuel than its predecessor. Accordingly, the Audi A4’s fuel consumption is as much as 18 percent lower than earlier models.

“When Audi won the 24 hour Le Mans endurance race in 2006 using a diesel car, it showed the world it was possible to have a clean burning, fuel efficient car, which was an absolute power-house. Audi has maintained its focus on reducing the environmental footprint of its vehicles, without sacrificing the benchmark performance, for which it is renowned,” Fisher concluded.