VFACTS RESULTS for July, and a poll conducted by The Motor Report, confirms that measures to get more Australians into LPG vehicles are failing.
In the context of a total national vehicle market down just 10.3 percent in July 2009 compared to July 2008, and down 15.3 percent year-to-date (YTD), sales of new LPG vehicles to private buyers are down 81.8 percent for the month and down 67.2 percent YTD.
July saw just 14 total sales by private buyers of LPG-dedicated passenger vehicles, struggling to a paltry 118 total sales (private buyers, passenger vehicles) for 2009 YTD.
Fleet sales, though better are similarly poor, managing 549 sales for the month, down 26.6 percent compared to July 2008.
Given the $2000 Government cash rebate for purchasers of new cars with factory-fitted LPG systems, and given the strong upward movement in the price of petrol, these results are certain to be perplexing both the LPG industry and the Federal Government.
LPG as an alternative fuel clearly has an image problem. The TMR poll indicates that motorists are not motivated by price alone in choosing at which bowser they fill their cars up.
As a previous Motor Report poll showed (November 2008), many motorists regard LPG as an inferior alternative fuel.
In the recent Motor Report poll, when responding to the question: If Unleaded Petrol hits $1.50 a litre, which of the following best describes your likely response, 40 percent of poll respondents selected the response that they will make “no change to my car choice nor driving habits”.
Only 12.0 percent responded that they “will convert to LPG (or purchase an LPG vehicle)” if unleaded petrol hits $1.50 a litre, while 31 percent responded that their next car will be a diesel.
While Australian motorists are now readily embracing diesel as an alternative to petrol, LPG seems to have simply missed the boat.
For a locally produced fuel that Australia holds in plentiful supply, burns cleaner than petrol, offers such savings at the pump, and with both Ford and Holden offering LPG-dedicated vehicles, the underperformance of this sales segment must be of concern to both the industry and the Federal Government.
About The Motor Report Poll:
Conducted over the month of July, with a total of 972 respondents.
If Unleaded Petrol hits $1.50 a litre, which of the following best describes your likely response:
- My next car will be a smaller petrol-engined (or hybrid) fuel miser (17.0%)
- My next car will be a diesel (31.0%)
- I will convert to LPG (or purchase an LPG vehicle) (12.0%)
- I will make no change to my car choice nor driving habits (40.0%)
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I would be happy to go LPG for my next car but the government axing of the LPG rebate has me a bit peeved, even if it is going to take another few years.
I think Holden and Ford are the only ones to offer a factory fitted system, am I correct?
The Holden one results in too much power loss from what people have told me and the Ford one uses the old vapour system.
At least Ford are looking at using the newer injection system next year.
Also I think if manufacturers didn’t void warranties that would help. I was looking at an Aurion conversion but read that Toyota will automatically void the warranty on the engine if you do.
Even with the government adding excise in 2011 (I think) LPG is something we should be embracing and the govt needs a huge kick up the arse for not doing their bit.
LPG just isn’t sexy.
Diesels= europhiles/outback survivalist; petrol= powerrrr!!!!; LPG= taxis and forklifts.
If the government was serious about it, why not promote LPG in a federally funded campaign. Provide the average buyer with more information which in turn would promote confidence in the fuel. After all, going by all the latest energy reports, LPG ‘is’ Australia’s future and ‘will’ provide so much economical benefits as the demand for oil increases.
LPG is great, however for particular cars, the packaging issues still outway the cost benefit. We have a 4WD fitted with a 90 litre tank under the floor, we lose no room and lose minimal ground clearance. But the loss of space in a sedan or wagon (car based) to me is to great an issue.
I am also not a fan of dedicated Gas as I always want the added security of a petrol tank if for some reason I run out of LPG or need the extra touring range.
And I also think ‘hoks’ nailed it on the head.
And thats why a federally funded marketing campaign is required to change the image of LPG!
I would not buy LPG as the current systems available are crap. The economy is woeful and power is down 20%, why would you. When the Liquid injection systems become the norm, and the pwoer and economy are comparable to pretol, then you will see people seeing it as a good alternative. Until that happens, I will stick with Petrol, even if it costs me more.
Current systems are crap, and it isn’t sexy, as said by other readers. This is the reason. If suddenly all alfas were on gas, and engines were released to exploit the higher octane rating of gas, it would be popular.
I am interested in the next gen injected cars from Ford and Holden, and HSV releasing a LPi V8 is the first step to gas sexyness. Bring it on I say.
From the off i want to mention i *LOVE* LPG, and have tried to convince others to get it, alas they are like this surveys finding, they are NOT interested in it…..Go figure!
I have had 4 LPG vehicles and 2 DIEsel, the LPG running costs are around 1/2 overall of a DIEsel, i will NEVER buy another DIEsel every again [unless DIEsel fuel is cheaper again]
I am NOT going to bother trying to convince others any more, its like flogging a dead horse and lost cause.
The ONLY good thing from this will be that perhaps LPG will become cheaper as demand is reduced.
1st. July strict emissions come into force, all new factory systems will be injected, it will be my 5th LPG purchase!
I have already chosen my wifes next vehicle, the Kia Cerato/Forte Hybrid which is battery/LPG combo, talking about $1 per day for the average 15,000km punter, as long as its mid $20k’s its a done deal, once it gets high $20’s/$30’s it becomes like DIEsel and you really struggle to make a saving.
Amazing what the Korean have done, i believe Hyundai have similar?
Cheers,
F-0
Ive had 2 cars running on LPG so far and i will have every one of my future cars on LPG. It svaes me shit loads of money.
And what most people dont realise is that you dont need the power petrol gives you in peak hour traffic or cruising on the freeway or in the country. And when you need the power switch it back to petrol?? how hard can that be? I run a V8 on gas and save myself $75 a week.
I think LPG may have a second coming if marketed correctly when liquid direct injection makes it’s debut.
The problem early on, was that LPG was fitted by some butcher eager to bore holes in your panel work, and piggyback a wiring system on to your petrol one with scotch locks and insulation tape. You just didn’t get that factory fit feeling, or adequate performance. Trying to save on fuel costs, meant never running on petrol, and by the time you started to to turn the corner, where the conversion started paying for itself, your petrol system needed extensive work and your convertor was all gummed up. The smart people run on petrol regularly, which means forking out for two fuels.
Dedicated LPG is the only way to go, having the engine designed specifically for LPG which is a dry fuel. But as reported, you are instantly down on power, compared with the petrol equivalent, and have no emergency plan if you run out of LPG because your gauge fails!
I’ve always believed gas is for BBQ’s. Maybe the new LPG injection will change my mind!
I guess really, LPG is only for sixes and eights. Just seems pointless on a four
What has Holden done with their V8?
Most LWB V8s are sold to Companies, then sold at auction
after 18 months to VIP drivers. Then to local lads to lower etc.. They are all autos and ALL
have AFM and to date non have been/? can be converted to
gas, although the new gas system is great, runs better that
petrol. Put your foot down and it changes to petrol, starts on petrol
as already mentioned around town when the new V8 still runs
around 20l per 100km, and 15 through the suburbs driving like your grand mother!
I wish you could turn off the AFM and put it on gas.