South Africans addicted to motoring fantacy more than any other car market in the world

Here, 53% would choose "fantasy" - the highest percentage of any market. Synovate executive Richard Rice says: "People love their cars for the freedom, the image they create and what they say about their status. That image is far more important than how environmentally friendly a car is.

SHOOT: I'm not surprised; we're in denial about everything else.

clipped from free.financialmail.co.za South Africans are the world's most "un-green" car buyers, suggests a study by international market research firm Synovate. The study, across 18 countries, found 60% of people would buy an environmentally friendly car ahead of their "fantasy" one. Not in SA. Here, 53% would choose "fantasy" - the highest percentage of any market. Synovate executive Richard Rice says: "People love their cars for the freedom, the image they create and what they say about their status. That image is far more important than how environmentally friendly a car is." Not necessarily at the top end of the market, says Kevin Flynn, GM of Lexus SA, which has launched a range of petrol/electric hybrid vehicles in SA. He expects to sell 350 this year and predicts hybrids will outsell petrol Lexuses within five years. He says their advantage is that Lexus models don't sacrifice performance for environmental correctness.