4x4's HIT BY CHANCELLORS TAX HIKE!

Despite the Chancellor imposing further road fund tax hikes on 4x4 users in the Budget, he has somewhat missed the point. People who buy 4x4 and SUV vehicles are not all of the Farming fraternity (some of best and most loyal customers), many will never go off road, but do need a large, spacious, rugged and 5 or 7 seat vehicle. There is then the fact that many of our 4x4 customers are serious business users, Builders, Construction Workers, Veterinarians, Chandlers; and above all ‘towers’, pulling caravans, boats, trailers and the like, hence 4x4's and SUV’s are more suited to lifestyle than many other vehicles available today. Increasingly the physical size of people generally, and the size of families has seen an increase, as better diet and better healthcare has evolved. Therefore customer demand to purchase 4x4's and SUV's exists; it is not all 'Chelsea Tractor Brigade ' as the Chancellor, the media and the misguided believe.

At NMG we care as much as the next person about the environmental issues and we do recognize that something has to be done globally to curb emissions, taxing 4x4's and other 'emission high vehicles' clearly will have some impact, it will raise awareness further of the Green Issues and of course it raises massive amounts of revenue for the Government easily, 'Lets hit the motorists again'.

However, consider this please, this year alone the various car manufacturers and importers will release a further 25 new models into the UK during 2007, which encompass the 4x4 and crossover 4x4/4x2 and SUV sectors alone. Taxing these vehicles will not stop the manufacturers and importers bring these cars into the market. Even if they could turn off the production cycle today (which they cannot), it would take years to sell off and sell out of the pre-built production. The impact on the UK employment market and global economy would be massive, millions would be unemployed, as the diverse number of businesses involved in the component supply, the manufacturer and the distribution of these vehicles is endless.

Not all 4x4's are 'gas guzzlers' not all 4x4's are high emission vehicles, the latest generation of modern diesel and petrol engines are super efficient and in some cases can out perform some production cars when it comes to fuel efficiency and emissions. In our ranges of vehicles we have some of the best 4x4’s and SUV’s available, many awards and accolades have been won, these are not given because of looks alone. So all we ask is that the media who just love a platform to sell newspapers and those who are misinformed, climb off their soap boxes and find out more about 4x4's and SUV's. Not all of them are bad, not all drivers and owners are irresponsible and certainly, whatever happens, and the production and sale of these types of vehicles is not finished. Taxed we might be, but ready to give in, never.

People must be allowed to choose what they want from their motoring and how best to deliver their needs in a vehicle of their choice.

Thank you for considering our views, safe and happy motoring to one and all.