Another lever is in the modifications of the vehicle

The implementation of the new scale of tax on company vehicles (TVS), which certain levels are especially brutal, resulted in a response of manufacturers. Indeed, slices of TVS grid applied to existing supply made some little attractive vehicle for business. The impact is net for vehicles located just above the threshold of 140 grams of CO2 per kilometre, which is then pass the tax from 5 to 10 euros per gram. Overnight, some models have become very difficult to sell to businesses.

In theory, the solution was to modify these vehicles poorly placed to make them lose the 2 or 3 grams of CO2 surplus. But it is not so easy. The cost of changes and a new certification can rise to "a few tens of thousands of euros", believes Claude Delarue, Deputy Director, technical and approval in Renault. Manufacturers may invest such amount unless additional sales volumes are substantial. This is why importers, who, by definition, less than the French sell can less easily overplay the re-specific certification by TVS. Another solution is available to them. Builders, fortunately for companies, meet the general application of the market by providing still more fuel-efficient vehicles in fuel. Over the launch of new models and the arrival of new engines, consumption fell. The importers will draw their parent offers to find those best suited to the French market. Thus, Mercedes now puts forward its class A 160 and 180 CDI, classified respectively 128 and 137 g/km of CO2. At Volkswagen, Golf TDI 105, just below the 140 g/km of CO2, is preferred over the more Golf, which displays 143 g due to consumption of 0.2 l / 100 km.

Absorb the additional costs

French manufacturers have quickly enough cushion the additional cost of new approvals. They first did when the first certification has left a margin to take into account the conformity of production. Indeed, the Utac, the body which is responsible for these controls, measuring a single car at a certain level of consumption and thus CO2 emissions. But, in view of the inherent in production technical tolerances and to make sure that all the copies out of the factory remain at the same level of performance, the manufacturer adds, by security, a few grams of CO2 to the measured value. If, subsequently, in its own measures, he finds that his production is stable, it can reduce its margin of safety. This only effect can save 1 to 3 g/km of CO2 in a model.

Another lever is in the modifications of the vehicle. "We can act in four main areas: aerodynamics, tyres, motor settings or a modification of the reports of transmission", continued Claude Delarue. Thus, Renault is currently homologate an evolution of the Grand Scénic 1.5 dCi 105 ch capable of displaying a level of 140 g/km of CO2, against 144 with a new engine calibration, previously. The TVS due by the company will fall in this case of 1.440 euros to 700 euros.

At Citroën, the HDI 110 C5 is now dropped to 139 g/km of CO2. In addition to a reduction in the margin of safety to compensate dispersions of production, mark worked on the injection of the engine parameters and Catalysis with so convincing result that the average measured cars is located 136 g/km. Prudent, it merely however display 139 g/km, which is sufficient for the application of the threshold of TVS. The same engine 1.6 HDI team Peugeot 407 in sedan, is now also to 140 g/km of CO2 since September, against 145 above.

Several families of vehicles sold to corporations are particularly sensitive to the threshold of the 140 g/km of CO2. It's compact minivans, which are suitable for middle managers in need of a family vehicle, typically the Scénic 1.5 dCi, but also the Xsara Picasso 1.6 HDI and the Ford Focus C - Max equipped with the same 1.6 engine. The same Ford equipped the 1.8 IDD 115 HP engine minivans are also registered to 140 g/km of CO2. The Opel Zafira and Volkswagen Touran are heavily penalized by greater than 155 g/km CO2 values.

As shown in the Citroën C5 and Peugeot 407, superior medium sedans are also affected by the limit of the 140 g/km. Strong the same 1.6 HDI engine, these two cars of the PSA group are currently without competition, and the Renault Laguna or imported sedans can compete for the moment. Over the renewal of the models, companies can no doubt draw an offer adapted to tax thresholds much broader.