INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
Ford continues its push to be a global leader in electric vehicles and sustainability with two new announcements.
Earlier this year, Ford announced a new multi-million-dollar pilot project in partnership with Transport for London (TfL) to reduce emissions and improve air quality in London through the use of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) transit custom vans that run solely on electric power. The automaker has now revealed the five fleets that will be participating in the program.
COLLABORATION & CO-CREATION -
The auto industry continues to look towards a sustainable future with the development of a new partnership between 10 of the world’s biggest automakers.
PRESS RELEASE -
Leftover scrap sound-deadening material that insulates a variety of Chevrolet engines is now insulating the walls of the NEW Life Center, a jobs development and training facility in Flint, Michigan. General Motors tested the material diverted from its Rochester Operations facility in New York for building applications. Now more than 200 pieces have been reused, benefitting the environment and community.
PRESS RELEASE -
The Chicago Assembly Plant – home of the Ford Taurus and the award-winning Ford Explorer –implemented efficiency efforts towards the end of 2016 that helped the plant reduce water usage by 13 million gallons last year – expected to be significantly higher in 2017 after a full year of use.
In marking this year’s World Water Day, Ford Motor Company continuously strives to go further in its commitment to water leadership. Ford recently announced its updated manufacturing water strategy, which calls for an additional 30 percent reduction in water use per vehicle from 2015 to 2020, along with a long-term aspirational goal of zero drinkable water use in manufacturing.
SUPPLY CHAIN -
Supply chain transparency, management and engagement are crucial components to the transition towards a more sustainable business model and with a growing arsenal of tools and research at their disposal, it’s now easier than ever for brands to engage in transformative activities.
PRESS RELEASE -
Green Standards oversees landfill diversion of tens of thousands of GM office assets including in-kind donations to community
More than 30 nonprofits have benefited and 1,500 tons have been diverted from landfill to date
Company donation of $4,500 boosts crowdfunding effort for Michigan Urban Farming
PRESS RELEASE -
With its focus on being a good corporate citizen, Ford Motor Company has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the eighth straight year – the longest streak for any auto manufacturer.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
While electric vehicles have long been identified as a leading solution to reduce emissions and combat climate change, hydrogen fuel cells are still met with significant criticism. The flammability of the element leaves many skeptical about the feasibility of fuel cell vehicles, but for companies such as Toyota and Shell, hydrogen is the future.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
Two new announcements from Ford highlight how the auto and mobility company is harnessing technology to get ahead.
With ambitious plans to launch an autonomous vehicle in 2021, Ford has announced that it is investing $1 billion over the next five years in Argo AI, an artificial intelligence company founded by former Google and Uber leaders, to develop a virtual driver system.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
In moves that will spur new energy vehicle demand, two new auto industry partnerships provide a look at a low-carbon economy of the future.
First, Honda Motor Co Ltd and General Motors Co (GM) have announced ambitious plans to expand pollution-free hydrogen fuel power systems in the US from 2020, a move that will not only create new jobs, but also drive forward the shift away from fossil fuel-dependent vehicles.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY -
Energy companies are grossly underestimating low-carbon advances with a business-as-usual approach says a new report co-authored by the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London and the Carbon Tracker Initiative.
The report also points to the falling costs of electric vehicle and solar technology as having the potential to halt the growth in global demand for oil and coal from 2020, challenging the wisdom of backing fossil fuel expansion.
PRESS RELEASE -
General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) and Honda (NYSE: HMC) today announced establishment of the auto industry’s first manufacturing joint venture to mass produce an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system that will be used in future products from each company.
Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, LLC will operate within GM’s existing battery pack manufacturing facility site in Brownstown, Michigan, south of Detroit. Mass production of fuel cell systems is expected to begin around 2020 and create nearly 100 new jobs. The companies are making equal investments totaling $85 million in the joint venture.
COLLABORATION & CO-CREATION -
Ford and Transport for London have announced a new multimillion-pound project designed to help improve air quality in London. The project features a 12-month trial of 20 new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Transit Custom vans that reduce local emissions by running solely on electric power.
The arrival of the new program is well-timed: Just five days into the new year, the City of London surpassed its 2017 air pollution limit, calling major attention to the serious air pollution problems the city currently faces.
PRESS RELEASE -
Cisco has launched a targeted investment program called Digital Acceleration Netherlands (DAN), aimed at helping to boost the digitization of the Dutch economy and society. Over the next three years, Cisco will be working closely with the Dutch government, industry and education, through the DAN program and its strategic activities. This program is designed to run in parallel to, and help accelerate the “Digital Agenda for the Netherlands” (which was published by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs in July, 2016). By accelerating the national digitization agenda the Netherlands can grow its GDP, create new jobs and provide innovation and education across public and private sectors.
PRESS RELEASE -
Toyota Motor Corporation has agreed to collaborate with Masdar, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Air Liquide, and Toyota distributor Al-Futtaim Motors in a joint research program to explore the potential of hydrogen energy use in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the creation of a sustainable, low-carbon society. As part of the program, Toyota will begin driving and refueling demonstration tests of the Mirai fuel cell vehicle (FCV) in the UAE from May 2017.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
History has a tendency to repeat itself, but in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions scandal in 2015, it would seem unlikely that other automotive companies would make the same mistake.
PRESS RELEASE -
In 2016, General Motors awarded $1.7 million to nonprofit organizations located in and serving General Motors communities across the U.S. through the company’s Community Grants Program.
With a special focus in the areas of STEM education, vehicle and road safety, neighborhood revitalization and workforce development, the program allows facilities to designate grant funding to organizations vital to addressing the needs of the employees and customers in their region.
“GM’s commitment to our local communities runs deep,” said Lori Wingerter, senior manager, Global Corporate Giving at GM. “While building cars that people love is why we’re there, the Community Grants Program empowers our neighbors and fosters sustainable change in the communities we serve.”
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
Ford today detailed seven of the 13 new global electrified vehicles it plans to introduce in the next five years, including hybrid versions of the iconic F-150 pickup and Mustang in the U.S., a plug-in hybrid Transit Custom van in Europe and a fully electric SUV with an expected range of at least 300 miles for customers globally.
ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE -
The Chief Sustainability Officer is a crucial position within any business, working at the very core of a company’s sustainability strategy. When Nissan decided to appoint its first CSO, CEO Carlos Ghosn personally chose SVP Hitoshi Kawaguchi for the job. We spoke to Kawaguchi about Nissan’s approach to CSR and CSV (Creating Shared Value) and the role each plays in working towards a society of sustainable mobility.
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY -
Ambitions to reduce environmental impact by slashing water use are driving brands in industries of all kinds to rethink their manufacturing processes. This week, both Wrangler and Toyota announced they have risen to the challenge and have plenty to show for their efforts.
Having recently reached a milestone of three billion liters of water saved since 2007, denim and casual apparel brand Wrangler announced on Wednesday that it plans to reduce water usage at its facilities by 20 percent by 2020.