Fiat Automobiles dominates CO2 emission reduction ranking in Europe for the third year running

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Among Europe's best-selling automotive brands and for the third year running, Fiat Automobiles has logged the lowest average value for CO2 emissions of cars sold in 2009: 127.8 g/km (it was 133.7 g/km in 2009). The accomplishment was recognised by JATO, the world leader in automotive advisory and research services, founded in 1984 and now operating in over 40 countries. The bottom line shows FIAT ahead of Toyota (130.1 g/km), Peugeot (133.6 g/km), Renault (137.5 g/km), Citroen (137.9 g/km), Ford (140.0 g/km), Opel/Vauxhall (148.9 g/km), Volkswagen (150.4 g/km), AUDI (160.9 g/km) and Mercedes (176.4 g/km).

Fiat also ranks first among groups (131.0 g/km), ahead of Toyota, PSA, Renault and Hyundai. The success of the Group is driven firstly by Fiat's achievement, but also by the excellent result of Alfa Romeo, which with an average reduction of 18.3 g/km and 109,542 cars sold, totalled the best global reduction on the entire range.

Fiat’s commitment has always aimed at the real needs of the public and will not be stopping here. The eco-friendly achievement is the result of a long-term strategy based on a two-pronged approach: implementing technological solutions aimed at containing consumption and emissions and raising the awareness of motorists to spur a more responsible, eco-compatible use of their car.

Firstly, unique, exclusive engines, such as the unprecedented Twin-Air two-cylinder which will be debuting in world preview at the Geneva Motor Show from 4th to 14th March 2010. Visitors to the Swiss event will have the opportunity to admire the first application of the engine in a Fiat 500 - the first Fiat model on which it will be introduced next September. With a displacement of 900 cc, a power of 85 HP and CO2 emissions equal to 95 g/km, it is the benchmark in its class.

Innovative solutions which are already available today include Multiair technology for petrol engines: by implementing a new electro-hydraulic valve control system, combustion is optimal at all times, CO2 emissions are cut by 25% and power is increased by 10% at the same time.

State-of-the-art technology is implemented also in the field of diesel engines, with second-generation 1.3 Multijet engines delivering a power of up to 95 HP. With 8 injections per cycle, the 1.3 Multijet II improves low rpm torque delivery by up to 25% and cuts emissions by 6%.

A fundamental boost to obtaining this result was given by the extraordinary growth of methane, the eco-friendliest, most cost-effective fuel available on the market today. A forward-thinking choice, started over ten years ago, has made Fiat become undisputed European leader, as demonstrated by 350,000 units sold until today and a wide range counting seven models for responding to all mobility needs.

Furthermore, Fiat has other innovative eco-tech solutions not strictly related to motor engineering, like the Start&Stop system, introduced on most models of the Euro 5 range, which temporarily stops the engine and starts it up again when the engine is idling and the car is standing: this reduces average fuel consumption by up to 12% on the urban cycle.

The second approach of the Fiat environmental protection strategy consists in raising the awareness of motorists to promote an increasingly more responsible, eco-compatible use of their car. These principles are implemented in eco:Drive, an innovative software program for analysing driving behaviour and helping motorists to optimise consumptions and emissions by connecting through the USB port of the Blue&Me system.

Since it was launched in October 2008, the application has been downloaded (free of charge from www.fiat.com/ecodrive) approximately 100,000 times and is habitually used by nearly 35,000 motorists. This is a remarkable success in terms of popularity and above all a success for the environment, considering that the eco:Ville community has saved in total nearly 3,000 tons of CO2. The system has been recently complemented by the introduction of eco:Drive Fleet, a very easy to use, new version of the program dedicated to more efficient fleet management providing benefits for the ecosystem and for business.