Ford, General Motors and Stellantis Work to Reduce Their
Environmental Footprint

Ford, General Motors and Stellantis are taking a comprehensive, all-inclusive approach to “going green”. Combining innovation, engineering and ingenuity, the U.S. automakers have implemented environmentally friendly measures from the start of production, to the final sale of the vehicle.

Not only have the automakers designed eco-friendly, fuel-efficient vehicles, but they have also implemented factory-standards to further minimize their total environmental footprint. From reducing energy consumption and water usage, to recycling vehicle manufacturing waste, to building eco-friendly facilities, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis are working to be responsible stewards of the environment.

To name just a few examples, General Motors is repurposing used wood pallets into wood beams for the homebuilding industry. Further, General Motors has transformed the grounds of their Grand Blanc, Michigan Customer Care and Aftersales Headquarters into a wildlife habitat, certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council. In constructing the habitat, they used recycled materials such as Chevrolet Volt battery covers, converted into duck nesting boxes.

Ford has aimed to reduce their footprint by extensively using recycled materials in their vehicle production. The seat fabric on the Ford Fusion is made from recycled water bottles, and post-consumer recycled nylon is used in vehicle components, such as engine fans, HVAC temperature valves, engine covers, cam covers and carbon canisters. Ford also uses soy oil in the production of the seat foam for all of the company’s North American vehicles.

Stellantis has made extensive corporate efforts to encourage its dealer-network to put in place high environmental standards for their facilities. The company has established a new Dealer ECO (Environmentally Conscious Operations) Program, to recognize dealers that demonstrate eco-friendly practices. Among other implementations, some dealerships have installed extensive solar-panel systems and rainwater collection systems, to lower their overall environmental footprint.

The American Auto Industry is doing its part to innovate and reliably and dependably “go green.”

 

  • Chrysler recognizes 30 dealerships for eco practices [w/video]

    It looks like Chrysler is going a little further with its eco-friendly ways than merely selling Fiat 500 EVs. The US automaker recognized 30 US dealerships for their eco-friendly ways, giving out awards for its second-annual Dealer Environmentally Conscious Operations (ECO) Program to 30 Chrysler dealers in 21 states.

     

  • Ford Further Improving On-Road Hybrid Fuel Economy and Hiring for Future, as Electrified Vehicle Share Quadruples

    DEARBORN, Mich., July 16, 2013 – As Ford’s share of the U.S. electrified vehicle market has quadrupled in the past year, the company is announcing improvements to the on-road fuel economy performance of its hybrid vehicles, hiring new engineers, and expanding its research facilities for expected continued growth.

    This year, Ford’s share of the U.S. electrified vehicle market is up 12 share points to nearly 16 percent, while Toyota’s share is down 8 share points, and more customers are trading in their Priuses for the new Ford C-MAX Hybrid.

    “Strong consumer acceptance of Ford hybrids shows that our plan to lead in fuel economy across our lineup is working,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Our commitment to deliver great fuel economy in our cars, utilities and trucks is a key reason we are seeing strong growth in coastal markets and with import buyers.”

  • Lincoln to double production of MKZ Hybrid

    Ford Motor Co. will double production of its MKZ Hybrid sedan for the 2014 model year, a top executive said this week.

    Forty percent of overall MKZ production will be dedicated to building the hybrid model, said Raj Nair, Ford’s group vice president of global product development, at the automaker’s Dearborn campus on Tuesday.

    That’s double the 20 percent production mix from the 2013 model year, the first year for the revamped luxury sedan.

     

     

  • Ford Provides Energy-Efficient Technology to Another American Home in Commitment to Sustainable Living

    DEARBORN, Mich., July 17, 2013 – The winners of the Ford-led MyEnergi Lifestyle Retrofit contest – designed to showcase how a typical American family can affordably move to an energy-efficient lifestyle – are Lindsay and Ben Sattler of Parker, Colo.

    Ben Sattler teaches alternative fuels and home energy efficiency courses to inner-city school children, while Lindsay ensures the Sattlers keep a sustainable home life. As the second winners of a MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit, the Sattlers will receive a grand prize package enabling them to integrate today’s plug-in vehicle technology, smart appliances and solar energy into their home to reduce their electricity bills and carbon emissions. In May, Susan Berry of Ventura, Calif., won a MyEnergi Lifestyle giveaway on the “Katie” show.
     

  • Chrysler Group-NextEnergy V2G Project Probes Promise of Battery Power

    July 18, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group engineers are helping to determine if electric-vehicle (EV) batteries can generate revenue as well as power.

    Chrysler Group has partnered with NextEnergy to evaluate vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology using four all-electric minivans.
    Detroit-based NextEnergy is a non-profit energy-technology and business accelerator.

    If the EVs prove to be viable storehouses of electricity, they could provide energy savings by sending surplus power to the grid.