International Study from Continental: French Open to Alternative Drive Systems

HANOVER - October 21, 2008: Although very few French motorists (10.2%) know the hybrid drive as a fuel-saving drive system, 46.2% of them would be very likely to consider buying one – nearly 10% of which would most certainly buy such a vehicle. "Although in France at present the number of hybrid vehicles on the road is the lowest in the world, we do see very high potential in the French market. The driving habits – primarily short distances and in city traffic – and the high consumer acceptance in France speaks for them," explained Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Executive Board chairman of the Continental AG.

At the beginning of this year, the German market research institute TNS/Infratest surveyed for the first time approximately 1,000 motorists each in China, Germany, France, UK, Japan, Austria, Switzerland and the U.S.A. on behalf of Continental AG. The study focused on the motorists' current state of knowledge and opinions of hybrid drive systems, their driving habits and their views on battery-driven vehicles. 1,004 French car drivers from all regions of the republic were surveyed, many of which were from the greater Paris area.

A total of 46.2% of French motorists would be very likely to consider buying a hybrid vehicle. Of them, 9.9% would most certainly buy such a vehicle – which is the highest rate in the world, and 36.3% would be very likely to buy one. But 31.5% would probably not buy a hybrid car. 14.7% are certain that they do not want to buy a hybrid car.

If it were to be subsidized by the state, however, 58.7% would change their minds and consider such a purchase. That is most likely due to the fact that 64.5% of French motorists expect extra costs when buying a hybrid vehicle compared to a car with a conventional drive or engine. That is the second highest percentage, exceeded only by German drivers (65.7%). The French expect an average addition to the purchase price of €4,651 for a hybrid vehicle. The French thus expect the highest additional costs compared with all other nationalities. "It is the task of the automotive industry as well as the automotive suppliers to report and share information about the advantages of alternative drive systems more intensively and effectively. After all, these systems provide substantial added value, nut just for the car driver but for the environment as well," explained Dr. Neumann.

When French drivers were asked about alternative drive systems, nothing came to mind to 12.7%. Instead, the French often came up with drive systems such as electric drives, liquefied petroleum gas or bio ethanol. A mere 4.9% are aware of the hybrid drive with diesel engine and electric motor. Although the French know a lot about hybrid drives in comparison to other countries when asked specifically about such systems (38.1%), it seems that they are not yet convinced by these drive systems.

French driving habits do, however, clearly speak in favor of the hybrid drive. 35.5% of the French drive between 15,000 and less than 30,000 kilometers each year. All in all, one out of every two motorists drive less than 15,000 kilometers a year. So most French drivers travel short distances, and they see it that way as well. "City and short-distance drivers can reduce their energy consumption with a hybrid drive by more than 25% – while at the same time reducing CO2 emissions as well. In addition, this drive system also saves a lot of fuel," said Dr. Neumann, stating another of advantages over conventional vehicles. 31.2% of those surveyed would listen up when it comes to the possibility of saving gas, as one third of the French said that they modify their driving style to save fuel as fuel prices rise – which is unique worldwide.

It is also unique worldwide that a further 33.7% do not change their driving behavior at all in response to rising fuel prices. A total of 61.9% do however modify their driving style at times. For instance in Germany 70.7% also said that they modify their driving style sometimes. "Driving with conventional fuels will become even more expensive in the future as oil fields are depleted and fuel prices increase. The vast majority of the drivers in all countries are aware of this," said Dr. Neumann, commenting on the current trends at the gas pumps.

28.5% and thus the largest percentage of the French surveyed, as well as all those questioned worldwide, feel that the purchase does not have to pay off since it is a matter of protecting the environment and preventing climate change. For 24.4% of the French, the environment is the only factor that matters, the highest percentage worldwide. 15.8% would be satisfied if the vehicle pays off in a period of five or more years. A total of 39.9% would like to have the hybrid vehicle pay for itself in three years at the latest.

In France, they are even more familiar with electric drives than with hybrid vehicles, which combine an electric motor with a combustion engine. At 31.7%, nearly one out of every three French motorists is familiar with this environmentally friendly kind of drive. For French motorists, other fuel-efficient drive systems include vehicles powered by liquefied petroleum gas (27.1%) or bioethanol (22.3%). More than half of all motorists (53.5%) could “definitely,” “very likely” or “quite likely” see themselves buying a car exclusively designed for city driving that runs on battery power and produces no emissions at all. French motorists would change their attitude if such vehicles were the only ones permitted in cities and if they were also exempt from motor vehicle tax. In this case, about 58.2% could envision buying a suitable electric vehicle.

The international automotive supplier Continental currently has a workforce of approximately 7,500 in France. It produces at 11 locations for all well-known customers, supplying products such as passenger, light truck and commercial vehicle tires, hoses and hose lines, car radios, navigation devices, cockpit modules, chassis control units, tire information systems, keyless entry/go systems, hands-free systems, injection pumps, engine control units for gasoline and diesel, as well as sensors.