The global credit crunch has taken its toll on the automotive industry with the new car market falling by 18.6 per cent during August. However, those being hit the hardest are the manufacturers producing vehicles with the highest levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

According to research by Clean Green Cars, the four brands with the highest CO2 profiles - namely Land Rover, Porsche, Chrysler and Jeep - saw sales slide by more than half during August.

Porsche topped the rankings of the worst brands by average CO2 versus sales performance. Its CO2 average is 275.6g/km and its August sales dropped by 57.8 per cent to 119. Land Rover, featured second in the table, actually suffered a more significant sales percentage drop - with an average CO2 level of 249.6g/km, it saw sales slump by 57.9 per cent to 422.

Jeep, which ranks in third place in the table, saw its sales drop by 58.2 per cent to just 92. The highest percentage fall in the table however, belonged to Chrysler which suffered a 66.6 per cent dive to sales of 125.

There were further slumps for Jaguar (CO2 average 200.3g/km, 41 per cent fall in sales); Lexus (CO2 average 194.8g/km, 59.4 per cent fall in sales); Dodge (CO2 average 194.5g/km, 41.4 per cent fall in sales); Mercedes (CO2 average 192.8g/km, 35.3 per cent fall in sales); and Alfa (CO2 average 182.8g/km, 32.5 per cent fall in sales).

The only manufacturer to buck the trend was Subaru, which enjoyed a 12.9 per cent sales increase despite having average CO2 levels of 201.0g/km.

It seems the age of powerful performance vehicles is over and small, low-emission green cars are the future for the industry.

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