Latest 2010 US cars over 6% greener than 2009 models

Environmental car data released by WhatGreenCar shows that the latest 2010 range of new cars available in the US is 6.6% greener than the 2009 Model Year (MY) range.

The WhatGreenCar Ratings also demonstrate that the shift to green is gaining pace – to date, this year’s 6.6% reduction is more than three times last year’s improvement of 2.1%.

Comparing MY2009 cars with the latest MY2010 line-up, 10 volume manufacturers are now offering a new model range above the average improvement of 6.6%. The ‘Top 10’ manufacturers achieving this are: Chevrolet (20.3% improvement), GMC (15.3%), Mercedes-Benz (13.6%), Lexus (13.2%), Mercury (11.6%), Kia (11.0%), Ford (10.4%), Acura (8.0%), Volkswagen (8.0%), and Suzuki (7.7%).

According to Dr Ben Lane, Managing Editor of WhatGreenCar: “US car makers are making huge strides to produce smaller, more fuel-efficient cars as well as pushing fast into the electric and hybrid markets. Cars such as the Chevrolet Volt and the Lexus HS 250h hybrid are proof that the US auto industry is genuinely trying to clean up its act as well as producing cars that consumers want to buy.”