Official: Gas Guzzler Tax Discussion

[Stuff]

Just a strange idea I had.

Special benefits for drivers of small cars such as compact sized parking spots in the front half of the parking lot for small cars & mopeds etc.... Any kind of large vehicle (Buick, Trucks, SUV's etc..) would need to park in the back half of the lot were normal sized spots would be.

[random006]

Just a strange idea I had.

Special benefits for drivers of small cars such as compact sized parking spots in the front half of the parking lot for small cars & mopeds etc.... Any kind of large vehicle (Buick, Trucks, SUV's etc..) would need to park in the back half of the lot were normal sized spots would be.

Nice idea.  However, I can just see the parking lot attendant yelling:

Hey you!  Go to the back of the lot!

Reminds me of the public transit policy of the American South in the 50s and 60s.

[Diesel Advocate]

Big Three auto makers will take a hit from budget incentives

All for the sake of the "green vote", pure politics 

Canadian Press
TORONTO — Federal incentives to encourage a shift from gas-guzzling SUVs to fuel-efficient “green cars” could hurt struggling North American auto makers by keeping some drivers out of the marketplace without significantly boosting sales of gasoline-electric hybrid cars, industry watchers say.

Auto analyst Dennis DesRosiers said Tuesday the government should be concerned with how auto makers might react to its budget plan, which favours hybrid cars with a rebate of up to $2,000 on the purchase but puts a $4,000 tax on SUVs and other vehicles that use high amounts of fuel.

“If I was General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, I'd be real (upset). Right now, these companies are in real sensitive mode in terms of their very survival,” Mr. DesRosiers said.

“Key decisions are being made in their head office boardrooms in terms of plans of what to keep open, what plants to close and where to put their investments. And what does the federal government do? They send a bomb — a missile — into these boardrooms saying we're going to put a $4,000 tax on your most profitable vehicles,” he said.
 
 Mr. DesRosiers suggested consumers will find other ways to acquire an SUV, if they really want to make the purchase, such as buying used — an area that isn't covered by the incentive plan — or travelling stateside to make a purchase.

The taxes “don't deter consumers from buying these kinds of vehicles, mainly because you can drive a large SUV through the loopholes in them.”

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty applauded the hybrid incentive, saying manufacturers have to help protect the environment by curbing greenhouse gas emissions, despite any short-term effect on the province's huge manufacturing operations.

Ontario and some other provinces already have existing incentive programs that double rebates when a hybrid vehicle is bought.

Mr. McGuinty said he wants to work with the Canadian auto industry — heavily concentrated in Ontario — so it is producing products and models that are more environmentally friendly.

Toyota Motor Corp., which has been a long-time supporter of hybrid vehicles but doesn't plan to make any in Canada, also lauded the incentives plan.

“Toyota has long believed that the global automotive industry must take real measures to make things better for the planet,” Toyota Canada managing director Stephen Beatty said in a release.

“This is why we have invested so heavily in fuel-efficient engines, smaller vehicles, emission-fighting systems and advanced technology such as our industry leading gasoline-electric hybrids.”

Toyota plans to open a new plant in Woodstock, Ont., next year to make the RAV-4 mini sports utility vehicle.

Chris Johnsen, Canadian automotive leader at Deloitte & Touche consultants, said auto makers were unlikely to shift hybrid manufacturing to Canada in response to the new incentives. He added that he's skeptical of how much impact the entire program will have on consumer spending.

“The incentive, while it certainly causes people to take notice, won't shift consumer buying,” he said.

“A consumer up in northern Ontario, for example, would have very little benefit buying a hybrid. Where they make a huge impact is in big-city driving, stop-and-go in places like Vancouver or Montreal.”

Mr. DesRosiers added that even if the tax incentives did affect sales, the Canadian SUV market is too small to make a lasting impression on climate change.

“I respect that people who buy one of those big gas-guzzlers potentially should be a target, but last year in Canada there were 15,000 (SUVs sold) and that's it.”

He said a major effect would be felt if Canadians started to sneak through the taxation loopholes, sending auto sales downward.

It's about time, Gas-Guzzling SUV owners were squeezed. Maybe now we can all drive down the road safely with being threathened by these P3nis enlargers.

[airbalancer]

Diesel Advocate  what the difference between Kia Sedona (Unfortunately) :rofl2:13.2 / 8.8    and a SUV like a  GMC - ACADIA 13/ 8.3
Maybe you shoould be driving a Gas-Guzzling  P3nis enlargers, since it is better then your Sedona

[Accordingly]

It's about time, Gas-Guzzling SUV owners were squeezed. Maybe now we can all drive down the road safely with being threathened by these P3nis enlargers.

Perhaps you should buy one. You might like having a larger penis. 

[Diesel Advocate]

Diesel Advocate  what the difference between Kia Sedona (Unfortunately) :rofl2:13.2 / 8.8    and a SUV like a  GMC - ACADIA 13/ 8.3
Maybe you shoould be driving a Gas-Guzzling  P3nis enlargers, since it is better then your Sedona

Actually I was talking about Escalades, Tahoes, Hummers etc. You know 20.4 l/100 km (14 mpg) 14.5 l/100 km (19 mpg). Since when is a GMC Arcadia et al, a gas-guzzling SUV? They are in fact CUV's   


I am aware that the Arcadia et al is better than my Sedona tell me somthing new!!

[Diesel Advocate]

It's about time, Gas-Guzzling SUV owners were squeezed. Maybe now we can all drive down the road safely with being threathened by these P3nis enlargers.

Perhaps you should buy one. You might like having a larger penis. 

I drive a Kia Sedona! I obviously don't need a larger Penis!

[UmroAyyar]

Canadian government announces ecoAUTO rebate forms are now available

Ottawa, Ontario - The federal government has announced the availability of ecoAUTO rebate forms, which allow consumers who bought eligible vehicles to apply for rebates ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. The rebates apply to fuel-efficient vehicles purchased after March 20, 2007; Transport Canada and Service Canada are partnering to deliver the program.

The forms are available at auto dealers, by calling 1-866-506-6804, or visiting ECOAction.gc.ca/ecoauto. To obtain a rebate, consumers must fill out the application, include appropriate documents for validation, and mail the form. If the application is complete and successful, a cheque will be sent.

The rebates cover select model-year 2006 and 2007 vehicles; a full list is available on the Transport Canada Web site. Eligible vehicles include cars with a combined fuel consumption of 6.5 L/100 km or less; SUVs and other light-duty vehicles with a combined consumption of 8.3 L/100 km or less; and flexible-fuel vehicles with a combined E85 consumption of 13.0 L/100 km or less. A list of eligible model-year 2008 vehicles will be added in the coming weeks.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/071002-1.htm

[Rupert]

The move to smaller lighter weight vehicles should be encouraged in any way that is feasable. There is no reason why high powered trucks, that never see a payload, should be used for personal transport. In the main large SUVs similarly are mostly not required except for vanity. When these heavy vehicles are in an accident with smaller ones you know which one is going to come off worse. Non-renewable resource use is putting pressure on reserves now and conservation should be the order of the day IMO.

[inco]

Today I had a real nice surprise with a little over 12k on the meter. Filled up and up until today the best I have been getting is a combined city highway of 13.6/100. This tank it dropped to 9.36 / 100 combined city and highway.

That's 30.16 mpg in the imperial sense and this is for an AWD Acadia. That made me smile. I like it.

[safristi]

  ALBERTA CLIPPER blew thru TOWN...... and Noel Noel the First NOEL did away wif the Angels of Saudi Arabiaaah.......... remember remember the 5th of Nov when Gas went ta $99 a barrel...so shake that nozzle before putting it back........drip   drip..trickle down economics 101 per Litre

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I don't think the Green Levy changed on inefficient vehicles.

VW.ca claims the Touareg 2 no 'exempt from the Green Levy Tax', but had $1,000 on the V6 and $2,000 on the V8 before. I can't imagine they increased the mileage much, so anyone have the scoop?

The '07MY list:
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/whatsnew/items/list_veh-e.pdf

[Stuff]

The only thing Canada can do for the de-acceleration of global warming is act as a signal to other nations to do the same.

[JerryJ]

before any one gets their in a knot, I bought my Explorer SUV before they were really taboo. Hitting the middle age crisis thingy after the kids left home I wanted a toy for me for a couple of years. I had the 4.6 V8 with a Magna Flow with a 4x4 etc. That was before the fuel started to climb in crazy ways. When I bought it there were several on the lot.
Times up, had my fun and time to move foward. Just trying to make the right move. But I will say one thing for and against the SUV.
I drive for a living (as a technician) I see a lot of SUV owners that should be shot for the boneheaded moves they make. I have to agree with observers that MOST SUV drivers are idiots.
Believe me or not I don't drive like that. Your vehicle is as safe as the driver driving and as good as the tires beneath.

SUVs are good for certain things and too many people do not know how to drive SUVs. I see way too many in the ditch
That's one more reason I'm trading mine, to get away from that stigma. When I'm in my company vehicle I see tons of SUVs especially the high end SUVs flying by me.
So far that SUBURU sounds good but still thinking about a Montana (different breed)

[JohnSocal]

I do NOT believe that the government should decide what type of vehicle one wishes to own. Let the free market place determine your choice of vehicle.

[UmroAyyar]

Green auto-rebates running over budget
 
Transport department documents show Ottawa underestimated costs of program
Jun 02, 2008 01:05 PM
THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA – New documents suggest the federal government underestimated the amount of money it needs for its clean-car rebate program.

Internal estimates from Transport Canada forecasted the federal eco-rebate program would go over budget by at least $37 million – and by as much as $65 million – in its first year alone.

The Conservative government's 2007 budget earmarked a total of $160 million over two years for the program.

The estimates show the department expected to spend between $117 million and $145 million in the first year of the two-year scheme.

Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon has said the Tories didn't extend funding for the eco-rebate program beyond the initial two years because it "served its purpose."

Transport Canada was not immediately available to comment on the forecasted cost overrun of the program, which offers rebates of up to $2,000 based on vehicles' fuel efficiency.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/435496

[wing]

"served its purpose" eh?

Got us votes!

[wannabe4x4ing]

I work for an oil and gas company. We have several divisions and do everything from Instrumentation to pipeline construction to boilers. Our company and its subcontractors require heavy vehicles. I support that work vehicles be exempt.

To a point.

I don't understand why every office manager in our building - who, mind you, don't step foot on location and use their vehicles primarily to drive to and from the office - requires a new 3/4 ton pick up, an avalanche or a Yukon. This makes absolutely no sense. Our safety guy could easily get by with a CUV for his trips out to locations because he doesn't have a tool deck to haul around. The most heavy hauling our managers do is using their company vehicles to haul their RV's out to their camping spots on the weekends.

I don't think its fair for the government to start bullying us into buying one thing when we want something else.

HOWEVER!

Obviously, letting people do their own thing for the last couple of decades had done nothing but reflect how obnoxious we are as a society. Families with two children driving Yukon XL's to and from the grocery store and play dates, idiot companies like the one I work for handing out trucks to an office admin who will never use it except to maybe haul home her new patio furniture. But don't worry! They take their bottles to the depot every month like clockwork. They've done their part: they've recycled.

From a sociologist's point of view, this could mean disaster for the families of the laid off workers. 

This is just another situation where there's no "right answer". I really don't think though that enough has been done to minimize the sacrifice and maximize the benefits.

[bobblehead]

 How does the success of a program = cost over run ? It did what it was supposed to do. Lower oild/gas consumption. They are making billions on the taxes on gas and it is all found money. Mr Dion will help the economy by adding a few cents to the price of gas as Bc has already done. Lets see. The price of fuel is crippling the economy and he wants to make it worse. Manufacturers and on the bring and he wants to push them over.
 Oh yes I almost forgot. It will be revenue neutral. If that were true why not divert taxes already coming in to the carbon issue. Well that is just not good politics. Let him show you how green he is. I wonder if he deals with the company called Bull Frog. Its no longer good enough to say you are green You can now buy a certificate that proves you are green.
 I wonder what caused the last great melt from the last ice age. Cars have only been here for a very short time. People are not causing global warming period but it is a nice money maker.

[Stuff]

I was just wondering if this topic is still worthy of a sticky?