greencars.za.net

We all know that going green is big business. Big enough, in fact, to reach the pages of business newspapers every week - if not every day. In the Tuesday 17 June edition of Business Day, a double page spread focussing on international company news had no fewer than four reports on international companies meddling in greening the way we travel. It gives some insight into the business implications of cutting CO2 levels. Take a look at these links: 

MERCEDES-BENZ GEARS UP FOR LOW-EMISSION LONDON CAB – about MB building a clean 6-seater Vito diesel to compete with the good old London taxi.
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/companies.aspx?ID=BD4A785684

Relevance for South Africa: This will likely reduce South Africa’s carbon footprint … considering how many South Africans are in London and would use cleaner cabs.

BIOFUELS AND JET FUEL TO BE MIXED – about Lufthansa aiming to use 10% biofuel by 2010
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/companies.aspx?ID=BD4A785692

Relevance for South Africa: Cleaner international travel, maybe?

HONDA THINKS BIG ON FUEL-CELL CAR – about the Japanese company looking a starting mass production of a fuel cell car by 2018
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/companies.aspx?ID=BD4A785675

Relevance for South Africa: Hydrogen is still a long way off for South Africa, but commitments by the world’s biggest automotive manufacturers to look at mass production within the coming decade should speed this up (if only slightly).

BATTERIES SHACKLE TOYOTA HYBRID SALES – about the shortage in nickel-metal hybride battery production hampering Prius sales
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/companies.aspx?ID=BD4A785697

Relevance for South Africa: With Toyota only selling around 10 units per months due to various reasons, an increase in local sales is unlikely in 2008 in part due to this development.