Citroen says drivers are paying less for fuel

Citroen has made the remarkable statement about rising fuel prices, claiming that, in fact, people are paying less per mile for fuel, in real terms.

As oil firms Shell and BP announce massive first-quarter profits, the price of fuel at the pump has soared by up to 39 per cent since the protests of September 2000.

Citroen believes advances in vehicle design means some motorists have actually been able to reduce their costs. Drivers could be paying 27 per cent less per mile for fuel, in real terms, than eight years ago.

With unleaded petrol at 108.1 pence per litre, it costs just 7.99 pence per mile to fuel a Citroen C1 1.0i city car.

Back in September 2000, a similar model (the Saxo 1.1i) would have cost an inflation-adjusted 10.94 pence per mile.

Citroen's C4 1.6HDi family hatchback boasts 62.8mpg overall, costing 8.49 pence per mile to run. Its predecessor, the Xsara, could have cost 11.12 pence after inflationary adjustments.

"Whilst improved fuel efficiency and advances in vehicle design have reduced the cost of filling up, in real terms the economic benefits of improved efficiency could soon be cancelled out altogether if prices continue to rise at their current rate," explained Marc Raven, spokesman for Citroën.

"Although our commitment to reducing CO2 and harmful emissions will not be lessened."