Vauxhall has been cleared of misleading advertising after the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) dismissed a complaint relating an internet advert for the new range-extended Ampera.
An automotive blogger challenged whether Vauxhall could substantiate the claims that about the car’s mpg and CO2 emissions (in case, you are wondering the blogger in question wasn’t me). The advert stated: "under normal driving conditions where 80 per cent of daily journeys are less than 30 miles, the combination of battery power and extended range technology deliver up to 175 miles per gallon of fuel whilst emitting less than 40g/km of CO2”.
Vauxhall responded to say that the fuel economy claim was based on a pre-production Ampera and that the vehicle actually had a combined fuel consumption of an even more impressive 235 miles per gallon. Vauxhall also pointed out that the ad-which appeared on car maker’s own website- also stated that the car was tested under the ECE R101 regulation for measuring fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and submitted a copy of the EC vehicle type-approval certificate, which confirmed that the combined fuel consumption was 235 miles per gallon.
Secondly, the car maker defended the CO2 emission figure of 40g/km on the basis that there is no industry standard to measure CO2 emitted from electricity powering a vehicle and a number of variable factors relating to how the electricity is produced could mean that any figures released could be unintentionally inaccurate.
ASA cleared the advert on both counts after investigating it under CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 and 3.3 (Misleading advertising) and 3.7 (Substantiation) and 11.4 (Environmental claims) but did not find it in breach.
The Ampera is Vauxhall’s first range-extended model which combines a battery pack and a 1.4 petrol engine. Vauxhall has just opened the order books for the model in the UK, with the first deliveries expected by May.
