Because of its reliance on the use of energy resources, heavy industrial production, and mass distribution, the automotive industry is one that has frequently found itself at the focal point of conversations regarding sustainability. Whether green initiatives are made a priority or not, this industry is one that can clearly have a tremendous impact on the environment for generations to come.
Fortunately, in an effort to do what is good for both our planet and our greater society, many manufacturers have been consciously taking strides to make production processes more sustainable. As consumers continue to demand more environmentally responsible practices from the brands they trust, and as manufacturers continue to adopt certain practices on their own, the automotive and OEM industries will inevitably advance towards a state of greater sustainability, with special programs and practices like proactive remanufacturing. Here are some of the companies who are doing well as well as doing good.
FCA’s sustainability efforts have been wide reaching and present in essentially every component of their operations. The company is striving to reduce its carbon footprint by 70,000 tons of CO2, conduct over 28,000 hours of environmental training, and completely reinvent its environmental management system. Additionally, the company has adjusted its line-up to meet a variety of environmental and business goals.
The primary business objective of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is to “create an exciting lineup of vehicles that consumers want to buy.” Naturally, as consumer tastes, preferences, and values have shifted over the past few years, FCA North America has been changing its approach to manufacturing in response.
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid debuted in 2016 as the first electrified minivan in the industry. This particular model, which has already proven to be quite popular, is capable of travelling 33 miles without producing any emissions and can reach a fuel economy equivalent of 84 MPGe. The Pacifica Hybrid is a perfect example of the kind of automobile FCA has been trying to create; it is one that simultaneously appeals to the general needs of consumers and is able to do so in a relatively sustainable manner.
Another major breakthrough made by FCA has been the development of Eco:Drive and its sequel Eco:DriveLive. These revolutionary pieces of software help monitor individual driving habits and offer personalized tips that can help drivers learn to be more energy efficient while driving. Making efforts to improve the energy outputs of both their cars and the people who drive them is one of the many reasons FCA has effectively established itself at the forefront of the industry’s movement towards sustainable practices.
If any automotive manufacturer wants to be truly sustainable—and do more than simply create the illusion of sustainability—then they have a duty to make sure their suppliers are engaging in sustainable practices as well. The primary purpose of utilizing an environmentally-conscious technology developer such as Aptiv is to help ensure that all supplies are delivered and produced in the most feasible and sustainable way possible.
Aptiv describes their business as “built around the megatrends of Safe, Green, and Connected.” Each of these trends are abundantly apparent throughout every element of the company’s current engagements ranging from their advance supplier networks to their innovative V2E& technology. This technology is specifically designed to help simultaneously promote safety and engine performance while a vehicle is in operation.
At a corporate level, Ford represents yet another member of the automotive industry that is doing all that they can to promote sustainability. One of the company’s proudest developments has been their Partnership for a Cleaner Environment (PACE) initiative which seeks to reduce their environmental footprint with key suppliers.
Ford has also been heavily investing in the advancement of their patented EcoBoost technology. These investments have been made not only for the well-being of the company, but also for the well-being of the planet. Through the continuous reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, owning a Ford now leaves less of a carbon footprint per mile than at any other time in the company’s modern history.
Ford has also successfully decreased the water and energy usage involved in its production and continues to ambitiously impose new standards for sustainable operation. Between these developments, the investments made in EcoBoost technology, and the investing of “$4.5 billion in electrified vehicle solutions by 2020,” Ford has been actively demonstrating a commitment to sustainable operations that will surely continue into the future.
Volkswagen has acknowledged the very real threat of human-caused climate change and has been actively working to decrease the total carbon footprints of its vehicles. While some sustainability initiatives are limited to a single component of the manufacturing process, such as automotive electronics remanufacturing, Volkswagen has been focusing on the life of its vehicles as a whole, with a focus on sustainable PLM.
In its 2017 Sustainability Report, Volkswagen stated that its primary focuses include “the continuous reduction of its carbon footprint, pollutant emissions and resource consumption.” These focuses, naturally, have coincided with efforts to enhance electric vehicle offerings in its vehicle lineup, increase self-imposed standards for emissions, and source its manufacturing materials in a more environmentally friendly way.
Volkswagen recognizes that energy and water consumption are major indicators of the company’s overall ability to sustain itself. The company has made clear that by the end of 2018 it hopes to reduce each of its primary consumption figures to be just 75% of 2010 levels. Furthermore, keeping a holistic approach to sustainability in mind, the company is also taking active strides to make sure that materials are either recycled or reclaimed at the end of each vehicle’s life. Approaching sustainability with a multi-dimensional perspective is the surest way any manufacturer will be able to achieve its greater objectives.
Ultimately, it seems that adopting sustainable operations is something that is good for all three components of the triple bottom line. Profits are enhanced through the reuse of old materials, efficient use of resources, and increased appeal to eco-friendly consumers. People are better off because they can finally begin purchasing new automobiles guilt-free, and employees can feel better about their work’s impact. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the welfare of our planet is also taken into consideration through the conservation of our most valuable resources.
The pursuit of total sustainability is no longer just a fringe movement. The push towards sustainability has become a permanent component of seemingly every major industry in the modern world. Though in order to be totally sustainable, automotive and electronic manufacturers certainly have a significant amount of more work to do, the progress that has been made thus far is certainly something worth celebrating.