Almost half the nation’s 20 top-selling vehicle manufacturers will have to make “significant adjustments” if they are going to survive the government’s proposed vehicle emission standards, according to modelling by one of the nation’s leading automotive groups.

A colour-coded analysis prepared for the industry by Matt Hobbs, chief executive of the Motor Trades Association of Australia, shows that under the preferred option outlined by the government, nine of the top 20 manufacturers have at least one “code red” challenge in trying to ensure their small and light commercial fleets can reduce emissions by more than 60 per cent in five years.