General Motors

General MotorsProtecting the Environment

Company ProfileAmerican automaker headquartered in Detroit, MIFounded in 1908 by William C. DurantWorlds 2nd largest automakerProduces cars and trucks in 31 countriesBrands include: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Opel, Vauxhall and Holden

GMs Environmental PrinciplesAdopted Environmental Principles to serve as a guide for all GM employeesGM is one of the leading users in renewable energy. Principles includeCommitment to actions to restore and preserve environmentCommitment to reducing waste and pollutantsGreener VehiclesFuel Economy12 vehicle models that achieve 30 mpg or more highway ratingMade vehicles more efficient through Active Fuel Management, 6-speed transmissions, variable valve timing and direct injection5 hybrid vehicles: Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Silverado, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon Denali, GMC Sierra & Cadillac Escalade

Greener VehiclesBiofuelsLooking at alternatives to gasoline as fuel sourceOffer 19 vehicle models that can run on E85, a fuel blend made of 85% ethanol and 15% gasolineWorking to expand availability of the fuel to new places Electric vehicle Chevrolet VoltProject Driveway Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

VoltRecycling in Vehicle DesignUse recycled & bio-based materials from renewable resourcesRecycled materials like old pop bottles, blue jeans, used tires and recycled vehicle bumpers are used in the new vehiclesExploring opportunities to use recycled waste products from own facilities in new vehicles.

The 2010 Chevrolet Corvette uses renewable balsa wood, the fastest growing tree in the world, in its floor panel.Components of the headliner in the 2010Buick Lacrosse are made from recycledcardboard scrap salvaged from manufacturing operations at GMs MarionAssembly plant in Marion, Indiana.

Today, GM vehicles are at least 85 percent recyclable and 95 percent recoverable (by weight)!!Greener ManufacturingEnergyUse energy from solar, hydro and landfill gas resourcesReduced overall energy usage by more than 40% between 2005 2009EmissionsReduced CO emissions from facilities by 39% from 2005-2009

Solar panels at a GM manufacturing plant.9Greener ManufacturingWaterReduced amount of water used by 35% from 2005 2009WasteFocus first on decreasing amount of wasteFor unavoidable waste, GM finds ways to recycle those materials for use in products like the Buick Lacrosse example (refer to slide 7)

GM currently has 69 facilities around the world with landfill-free certification!!

Greener ManufacturingVideo showing how a landfill-free GM plant operates.Click on video to play.

Referenceshttp://www.gm.com/corporate/responsibility/environment/index.jsp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors

http://www.gm.ca/inm/gmcanada/english/about/Environment/environment.html