Politicians from Whitehall to the nation’s town halls are waging a ‘stealth war on the motorist’ with ‘increasingly anti-car policies’ that must be rolled back, a leading motor industry boss warned UK media chiefs today (WED).
Robert Forrester, CEO of leading dealership network Vertu Motors, highlighted the damaging ‘cumulative effect’ of a range of policies including: the blanket imposition of 20mph zones; camera-controlled road restrictions; controversial government rules to force a greater take-up of electric vehicles that are hurting UK industry; and ill-thought out pay-as-you drive taxation plans which are ‘complicated, expensive and uncertain’.
Delivering a pre-Budget broadside he concluded: ‘Over the past decade we have seen policy after policy which nobody explicitly voted for and which make driving more expensive, more restricted and less convenient – almost a stealth war on the motorist.’
He said: ‘Every one of these policies can be defended: but perhaps we should also look at their cumulative effect.
He stressed: ‘The motor car is not simply a consumer product. For millions of people – particularly outside London – it means freedom. It means getting to work, taking children to school, hospital visits and reaching places public transport simply doesn’t.’
Mr Forrester made his comments in a speech to more than 150 senior editors, journalists and broadcasters at the London Press Club Awards where his firm is headline sponsor for the second year running.
Speaking at the Awards – the ‘Oscars’ of UK journalism – held at the historic Stationers’ Hall near St Paul’s Cathedral and Fleet Street – the ‘spiritual home’ of the national press – he spelled out in detail where he believed motorists are being betrayed by national and local government.
Ahead of next week’s Budget he said: ‘Many newspapers have reported on the complex issue of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, under which manufacturers must reach a target for electric vehicles sold or face crippling fines of £12,000 per petrol car above the target.
‘The targets and fines for vans are even more onerous, as ‘white van man’ will know!’ This has damaged UK car and van production,’ he said.
Mr Forrester welcomed that the government has now begun to review the controversial ZEV mandate, but stressed: ‘The review has to recognise commercial reality and perhaps should consider rolling back other increasingly anti-car policies.’
He noted: ‘For example, electric cars are going to face mileage-based taxation. Wouldn’t it be better to keep vehicle excise duty and base it on weight? But no, the government wants it to be complicated, expensive and uncertain.’
He added: ‘Other rules are introducing more 20-mile-an-hour speed limits, less road space, restrictions on where cars can travel and, from last month, camera-controlled traffic restrictions for locals in Oxford.’
Mr Forrester said: ‘Automotive is one of Britain’s great industries, it employs nearly a million people from manufacturers to Vertu’s showrooms.’
‘It’s a great pleasure for Vertu Motors to support the London Press Club Awards. And since this room is full of journalists, let me thank you for scrutinising the Government’s policies on cars.
‘I want to express my admiration at the way you – our free press – have the ability to explain important things to the great British public.
‘Today we are recognising these skills and your talent across all manner of subjects, and I am proud to be able to support this event and stand with a free press in a free country.’
Established in November 2006, Vertu Motors has grown to become one of the largest and most respected automotive groups in the UK and recently retained its best Retailer of the Year title in the AutoTrader Awards.
It has a network of 196 UK showrooms selling new and used cars from more than 30 brands including BMW, Ford, Peugeot, Kia, Audi, Toyota, MG, Renault, Volvo, VW and Land Rover, as well as motor bikes such as Ducati.
FROM SPEECH: Robert Forrester, CEO Vertu Motors, headline sponsor at London Press Club Awards
Ray Massey is deputy chair of the London Press Club
