Complaint about the Suzuki ad

Most car ads are decidedly un-Green but some are worse than others - I have just submitted a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority about an ad in this week's Radio Times. I don't know where else it appears but it can be viewed here.

Update: reply received from ASA notes they do not agree and will not be taking action.

Heres what I said:

I write re the Suzuki ad showing a very stressful scene in a London underground carriage with the caption "Time for a swift exit? The Suzuki Swift from £7,999."

This is effectively urging people to switch from public transport to private car and is highly irresponsible. Climate change - quite likely the greatest threat to life on Earth - means that it is essential that people are not discouraged from using public transport to reduce carbon emissions.

I consider that the ad breaches principle 2.3 with regard to responsibility, and principle 10.1 regarding unsafe practices. As well as producing excessive CO2 emissions, private motoring has much higher accident rates and is therefore more dangerous in terms of accident and injury.

You can also complain from here if interested:
http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/how_to_complain/

Indeed with public transport fares continuing to rise, car maintenance costs continuing to drop, and fuel costs at the same level as a year ago, it's no surprise that UK car ownership is on the up. The government is pledging to do more for the environment, but the slowing rise in the cost of motoring is at odds with this. Findings from this month's RAC Direct Insurance annual cost of motoring index also showed that the average family car's running costs are falling. Although depreciation and higher motor finance costs mean that the average motorist is losing £45.33 a week on the overall value of their car, it is still becoming cheaper to be on the road. Until more enticing financial incentives are introduced to encourage the uptake of greener transport, motorists will continue to be wedded to their cars.