Earlier this year the California Air Resources board implemented green car stickers outlining a vehicle’s global warming score and its smog score on a scale of 1-10. So how are these environmental performance stickers being received?
According to Dimitri Stanich, an Air Resources Board spokesman, most car manufacturers refrained from placing the stickers on less-favourable cars until the January 1 deadline, whereas those with above average scores were put into place as early as last November.
Speaking to the SignOnSanDiego.com website, Bob Latiano, a general sales manager at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido said there has been “no reaction whatsoever” from customers to the stickers even though some have started to arrive at his dealership. Indeed Don Bishop, the general manager of the dealership, echoes his concerns stating that he doesn’t believe environmental issues top consumers’ concerns and that they simply want something more affordable that will offer good long-term value.
By contrast, Dave Haninger, a sales manager at Rorick Buick Cadillac in Carlsbad, stated that the stickers are a “pretty good resource” and that he expects there will be increased awareness about them as time goes on.
The labels did not need to be placed on existing dealer inventory and as such customers should start seeing more of the scores around the middle of the month when new inventory arrives.
