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ALEX MCCUAIG
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Some Hat auto dealers are upset at the
city’s purchase of a SmartCar, citing a move away from
purchasing products locally.
Tim Nadeau, sales manager at Southland
Volkswagen, says the city should have considered purchasing a fuel
efficient car that is available locally – no matter from what
dealership – as a way to show support for the city’s
businesses.
“We are wondering, as local
businesspeople who are selling cars in the local area, why they
went and purchased a car outside of Medicine Hat,” he
said.
“SmartCars aren’t sold here in
Medicine Hat nor is there a service facility in Medicine
Hat.”
Nadeau said whether it’s VW’s
TDI Clean Diesel or Toyota’s hybrid models, the city should
have looked at other options.
Medicine Hat energy conservation officer
Wayne Perehudoff was showing off the new SmartCar at city hall
yesterday and explained the city’s reasoning.
“It matches perfectly with our Hat
Smart campaign,” he said.“And it gets 50 miles to the
gallon.”
Before he could say much more, an eager
trio of passersby asked if they could get a picture of themselves
beside the car.
“We have to encourage energy
consumption and this is a good place to start,” he
continued.
Hatter Jim Cocks, who has owned a SmartCar
since 2005, said he supports the idea of buying locally but if
businesses aren’t going to sell what the public wants, they
have no other choice but to go elsewhere.
“This car is highly unrecognized. It
gets the best mileage of any car on the road,” he said.
Cocks said his model is a diesel version
– as opposed to the city’s gasoline powered version
– which can bump his mileage to 70 miles to the gallon. |
