THE Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is launching a £12 million campaign to change public attitudes to the car. The SMMT is eager to promote the benefits that the car brings to society, and the progress car makers have made to reduce vehicle emissions.

'Our message is clear and simple,' said an SMMT spokesman. 'We produce clean and efficient vehicles. These must be maintained regularly and driven properly by their owners to minimise the levels of emissions from them. As a responsible industry we are now seeking to explain the issues to a wide audience with an ongoing educational campaign.' The campaign starts in the second week of September.