Diesel decline down to emissions media coverage

A survey conducted by Carbuyer has found that media coverage of diesel vehicles has resulted in 61 per cent of consumers being put off buying one.

The questionnaire, which ran on Carbuyer’s website and social media, found that reports on the subject of diesel emissions have put almost two-thirds of consumers off the idea of a diesel car.

Those who took part were asked if recent news stories about diesel emissions had put them off buying a diesel car.

It was answered by over 1,100 people and of those, 61 per cent said they had been put off buying a diesel car, 33 per cent said they’d been unaffected by negative stories while six per cent weren’t aware of any news.

The research tallies with figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showing diesel sales down 9.2 per cent in February 2017 compared with February 2016.

Sales of alternative-fuel vehicles such as hybrids and battery-powered cars, meanwhile, were up 48.9 per cent over the same period.