Buyers beware
Automobiles impact the environment most when the consumer is at the wheel. But not many buyers accord priority to the ecofriendliness of their cars. According to the GRP evaluation, this ignorance is inextricably linked to the industry's ecologically unsound policies. Automakers are not making a concerted effort to educate the end-users about vehicular pollution.
The consumer manual can be an ideal primer for communicating the green message. But manufacturers provide limited information on reducing emissions during product use in this document. Though some passenger car and commercial vehicle companies have made a passing mention of the environmental facet, units making two and three-wheelers are the worst performers in this regard.
The concept of listing visible environment-related cautions and warnings on the manual has not yet arrived in India with the entire sector performing poorly.
Half the companies rated have neither published any newsletter for the consumer nor released a public advertisement to enhance environmental awareness. Even those who have done so have tried to promote their products by giving them the green label.
Automobile manufacturers steer clear of mentioning the negative ecological impact of their products. As many as 80 per cent of the companies have never cared to divulge any information on vehicular emissions.
No measures have been taken by the industry to encourage proper maintenance of vehicles except the free servicing offer to consumers for the first couple of years of the product's life. After this period, expensive service packages deter users from making regular visits to the workshop.
"Only when some major repair work is required do I visit the authorised service station. Otherwise, I go to the one located in my neighbourhood,' says Pawan Goel, the owner of a Maruti Esteem. He points out that the latter is "unauthorised but dependable'. The price factor also works as a deterrent. "At the authorised unit, the servicing cost is more than double of what I pay at the local repair shop,' he says.
"Trained humanpower, genuine spare parts and professional aftersales service push up costs. Customers who care for their cars will not be guided by the price factor,' Ashok Sharma, senior manager, Saket Motors, Delhi-based authorised dealer for Honda Siel Cars Limited, contends. Ravi Patel, director of Patel Auto Services in Delhi, also justifies the high cost. "We are more expensive because of the standards that we maintain here.' Patel is the authorised dealer for Mercedes Benz India Limited.
Automakers do not have training or orientation programmes on raising environmental awareness for their dealers and distributors. Though some of them did say they were undertaking fuel-saving training drives, their claims could not be verified.
On their part, consumers too can make a contribution. They should take into account the environment policy of the manufacturers before making the purchase decision.
Vivek Kalra, the owner of a Daewoo Cielo, feels there should be more awareness campaigns to keep consumers informed about the environmental aspect. "Since an ecofriendly car is also more economical (read fuel efficient), the green factor can influence the buying decision,' he feels.
Clearly, the economics-environment connection needs to be brought forth to involve the users in the green campaign.