Greens attack BMWs

The Dom Post reports that the new Ministerial BMWs do not meet the targets set by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy issued in October.  The target is 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres travelled and the BMW 730Ld uses 8.01 litres. That more than 20% greater.

You really have to question the political judgement skills at the Beehive currently.  Regardless of arguments over whole-of-life costs and slightly improved energy efficiency, you don’t have to be a political genius to work out that replacing $70,000 cars with $170,000 cars is going to go down like cold sick with the public.  Throw in the fact that they are a BMW which in NZ (unlike Australia) has a luxury perception to it, and you really have to wonder why Internal Affairs were not told “Whatever you fucking do, don’t buy the $170K BMWs – we’ll get crucified”.

I once gave similiar advice, but on a larger scale, to a Minister in the late 90s as Cabinet was about to decide whether to buy a third frigate – something which was desirable and could be justified – yet was hugely unpopular with the public.  My words were along the lines of “Whatever you fucking do, don’t buy the effing frigate.  You can buy anything else, but not a frigate.  Probably even an aircraft carrier would be okay, just not the bloody frigate”.