Uncovering Mexico
Jeremy Schwartz is the Mexico correspondent for Cox Newspapers. He is based in Mexico City.What's on this page?
The entry titled "Green Dreams for hybrids in Mexico."
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Home > Uncovering Mexico > Archives > 2007 > November > 30 > Entry
Green Dreams for hybrids in Mexico
President Felipe Calderon is trying to boost miserable sales of hybrid cars in Mexico, proposing this afternoon that all new hybrids be exempt from a stiff annual sales tax. Mexico City, one of the world’s most polluted cities, already has waived the tax on hybrids. Last year only 485 hybrids were sold in Mexico, compared to 143,000 in the first five months of this year in the United States.
Hybrid mania has yet to catch on in Mexico, despite the high cost of gas (nearly as much as consumers pay in Texas even though Mexico produces its own oil). Mexicans much prefer bulkier SUVs: in Mexico City last year 43,915 SUVs were sold, nearly 10,000 times as many as the 48 hybrids that were bought.
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By Alex Sierra
November 30, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
Mexico has much bigger problems than environmental ones. For example, perhaps more of an effort should be made in creating jobs in their country?
By namsmog
December 4, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this
While producing oil, like many countries, Mexico does not produce all its gasoline. As much as 1/3 of the premium grade gasoline in Mexico City comes from the Shell/PEMEX refinery in Deer Park, TX. Along the USA/MX border, PEMEX gets some of its gasoline from nearby terminals in the USA. And, most of PEMEX gasoline contains significant amounts of MTBE, which is not produced in Mexico.