Fiat crowned leader in CO2 emissions reduction

Fiat automobiles have been recognised as having the lowest value for CO2 emissions for the second year running.

JATO found Fiat's average value for CO2 emissions for vehicles sold in 2008 was 133.7 g/km, ahead of major manufacturers Ford, Toyota and BMW.

Lorenzo Sistino, managing director of Fiat Automobiles, said: "The result of this important analysis rewards Fiat's ongoing quest for innovative solutions for the reduction of polluting emissions and levels of CO2.

"Our aim is to reinforce our European record in emissions reduction by introducing new engines, new technologies and new applications. New engines, like those with our innovative MultiAir system will gradually be installed in all our group cars and will enable further reductions in consumption and emissions."

Fiat, Europe's leader in the production of compact vehicles, says by the end of 2009 most engines in the entire range will exceed Euro Five standards.

Mr Sistino added: "New technologies, like Start&Stop, already introduced in the Fiat 500 and soon to be seen on all our latest models, will play their part, as will new applications like eco:Drive, an innovative software developed with Microsoft, that uses a USB port from the versatile Blue&Me system to achieve analysis of the driver's vehicle handling, thus helping to optimise behaviour in terms of consumption and emissions."