NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, 09 April 2005

LANCASTER LAND ROVER TARGETED BY CLIMATE PROTESTORS

A coalition of green activists groups from across the region converged on Lancaster Land Rover in Bennett Road, Reading on Saturday, 09 April 2005. Activists from Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire and London, including Berkshire Greenpeace and Reading Rising Tide, joined forces as part of the ‘Alliance Against Urban 4x4’s’ to engage the public and draw attention to the damage done by gas guzzling SUV’s at Land Rovers “Too Big To Miss” sale event.

Activists leafleted the climate destroying vehicles and talked to the public about Land Rover and SUV’s wrecking our children’s and our grandchildren’s planet through the excessive use of fossil fuels. Land Rover have aggressively promoted the use of its gas-guzzling vehicles in cities. Four by fours like Land Rovers are designed for heavy off-road work and have few uses in the city. Yet Land Rover has spent millions on advertising to an urban audience.

John Hoggett from Reading Rising Tide commented, “Urban four by fours, such as Land Rover use huge amounts of fuel to get around. Climate change is one of the most serious threats to human life and the environment. Driving a four by four produces a lot of CO2 that drives climate change.”

The activists found success in the bid to change the buying habits of the people of Reading. One customer, shocked at the amount it costs to run an SUV, left the showroom commenting to the activists that he was going to find a more efficient car.


ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Greenpeace’s clean energy campaign is committed to halting climate change caused by burning oil, coal and gas. For more information visit www.choosecleanenergy.com
2. The Alliance Against Urban 4x4’s are a growing campaign that is uniting environmental, consumer, road safety groups and concerned individuals all over the UK. The campaign began in London but is now active in towns and cities across the country. More information at www.stopurban4x4s.org.uk
3. A Range Rover (engine size 4398cc) has an Urban Fuel Consumption of 12.2mpg, releasing 389g/km of CO², with a fuel cost of £1,129 for 6000 miles. Compared to hybrid cars such as a Honda Insight (engine capacity 995cc) with a fuel consumption of 83.1mpg, releasing 80g/km of CO², with a fuel cost of £249 for 12000 miles. Or a Toyota Prius (engine capacity 1497cc) with a fuel consumption of 104mpg, releasing 65.7g/km of CO², with a fuel cost of £316 for 12000 miles. Figures based on petrol cost of 80p/litre. More information from www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk
4. To help stop climate change now, get active with Greenpeace Berkshire. Visit www.greenpeaceactive.org.uk/berkshire