Feb. 27, 2008 - Shanghai General Motors has launched a new environmental strategy aimed at developing greener products, manufacturing systems, and supply chains. The program, dubbed "Drive to Green," will focus on technical innovation as the key to boosting environmental performance across the value chain.

Green Products

Shanghai GM, a joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp., will partner with sister company Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center to roll out greener vehicles that achieve improved performance, lower fuel consumption, and lower emissions. All vehicles manufactured by Shanghai GM in 2008 will meet China’s Phase IV emission standard, with new models being capable of meeting emission standards up to the Phase V standard.

Between 2009 and 2012, the company will begin offering 11 engines that offer better fuel economy than its current engines. Shanghai GM also plans to introduce GM’s E-Flex drive system and Fuel Cell E-Flex electric drive vehicle in China after 2010 with the "ultimate goal of zero fuel consumption and zero emissions." The new Buick LaCrosse Eco-Hybrid, introduced in January, is Shanghai GM’s first green product in 2008 (the company plans to release three more by the end of the year).

Green Manufacturing

By 2012, Shanghai GM’s three manufacturing bases in China are expected to have reduced coal consumption per car by 35% compared to 2007 levels. The company also has set targets for decreasing average displacement of wastewater per car by 21% and doubling the quantity of reclaimed water by 2012 while saving about 400,000 tons of water over the next five years.

As a member of the World Environment Center's Green Supply Chain project, Shanghai GM currently has eight suppliers that meet environmental performance standards for equipment, facilities, manufacturing processes, and materials use. The company plans to increase the number of participating suppliers to 40 by the end of 2008. (For more on GM's participation in this program, click here.)

“Addressing the environmental protection and energy security issues is essential for ensuring the automotive industry’s long-term sustainable development,” Shanghai GM president Ding Lei said in a statement.