Going green

The ETA's annual guide identifies the most environmentally efficient cars available to British buyers and points out the reduced excise duty on least polluting vehicles.

This year, Daihatsu achieved two outright category wins and one second place.

In the City Car 0category, the 1.0 litre Cuore took top honours while the 1.3 litre Terios 4x4 was top in the Off-Road Vehicle section.

Daihatsu's 1.0 litre Sirion, meanwhile, was placed second in the Supermini category, just losing out to this year's overall winner, the two-seater smart City-Coupe, which won the Supermini category.

In the three years since the awards started, Daihatsu has won a total of eight category honours with its 1.0 litre Cuore, 1.0 litre Sirion and 1.3 litre Terios sport-utility vehicle.

The 1.0 Cuore was also voted the ETA's Environmental Car of the Millennium at the inaugural awards in 2000.

Commenting on Daihatsu's continued success, managing director of Daihatsu Vehicle Distributors Ltd, Andrew Edmiston, said: "We are committed to providing car buyers with a positive environmental choice.

"Of course, customers can choose a Daihatsu for its strong performance, excellent economy and high levels of equipment, but the ETA's endorsement of their strong 'green' credentials gives our customers further reassurance that both the environment and their pocket will also benefit."

Under the Government's new emissions-based vehicle taxation system, nearly every Daihatsu qualifies for reduced Road Fund Licence savings and reduced company car taxation.

Even the sporty 102PS Sirion 1.3 SL falls within the lowest possible company car tax value, thanks to an emissions figure of just 135g/km.

Daihatsu's range of 'green' compact city cars starts at just £5,995 on the road and every model comes with three years' warranty, three years' roadside assistance and three years' free servicing.

The ETA Car Buyers' Guide is available for £5 from the ETA. The ETA can be contacted on 01932 828 882 or by visiting www.eta.co.uk