The Hindu : National : Germany objects to Jairam's “gas-guzzlers” remark

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Germany objects to Jairam's “gas-guzzlers” remark

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh's remarks about “criminal gas-guzzlers” have irked the German Embassy here and provoked Ambassador Thomas Matussek into delivering a statement in defence of his country's auto technology.

Speaking at a workshop on promoting low-carbon transport on Friday, Mr. Ramesh had criticised the owners of large cars such as “BMWs, Benzs and Hondas” who had become the real beneficiaries of the diesel subsidy that was meant to benefit poor farmers.

Both BMW and Mercedes Benz are German auto firms.

“It is very difficult to imagine that Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Environment & Forests, has made such specific comments on fuel technology with reference to German automotive manufacturers,” said Mr. Matussek in a statement on Saturday.

He insisted that the German auto sector had “outstanding expertise” in engine development and used advanced technology to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

“The German automotive industry has been continuously progressing to secure a sustainable future with fuel saving engines, state-of-the-art recycling techniques and greener production facilities,” said the Ambassador.

He claimed that Germany had “some of the most sustainable car companies in the world who have pioneered CO2 emission cuts and have next generation fuel efficiency standards in engines”. In fact, German car makers are now developing “ground-breaking fuel efficiency standards which may define how cars of tomorrow may be conceptualised,” he added.

Mr. Ramesh had said the diesel subsidy was actually fuelling the demand for SUVs, or Sports Utility Vehicles, which have high diesel consumption rates.

He had suggested that policy changes to restrict fuel subsidies to LPG and kerosene could help in reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

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