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Product Sustainability:
A Ford InitiativeCOLOGNE, GERMANY (Sept. 17, 2007) - In a first for the automotive industry, Ford of Europe has today published a ground-breaking Product Sustainability Index (PSI) report.
"It is clear that to address the enormous challenge that sustainable mobility implies, society will increasingly need integrated approaches."
- John Fleming, CEO, Ford of EuropePSI is a comprehensive and systematic approach to assessing how the environmental, social and economic impact of vehicles can be addressed from the earliest stages of their development. As examples, the 38-page report uses three models designed to date with PSI in mind: the all-new
2008 Ford Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy. They've been designed to deliver improved sustainability performance in all three key impact
areas.
"Ford is committed to continue making mobility more sustainable. The scale of the challenge means that it's not enough to introduce two or three new environmental products and leave it at that," says John Fleming, president and CEO, Ford of Europe.
"PSI demonstrates how sustainability can be integrated into mainstream product development to the benefit of our customers and the
environment."
Ford's PSI tracks eight product attributes identified as key sustainability elements of a vehicle. These are: life cycle global warming potential (mainly carbon dioxide emissions), life cycle air quality potential (other air emissions), the use of sustainable materials (recycled and renewable materials), substance management (including TuV allergy-tested interior certification), exterior noise impact (drive-by noise), safety (for occupants and pedestrians), mobility capability (seat and luggage capacity relative to vehicle size) and life cycle ownership costs (full costs for the customer over the first three years). These metrics echo the multi-dimensional nature of sustainability and Ford's holistic
approach.
An independent review of the Ford PSI, conducted by experts in the area of life cycle science and sustainability, Dr. David Hunkeler (formerly of the Universities of Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn., and Lausanne, Switzerland) and Dr. Walter Kloepffer (University of Mainz, Germany), concluded it was an initiative that aims to provide a full sustainability assessment, and that it was also compliant with ISO 14040, the international Life Cycle Assessment
standard.
"We are all part of the problem, and we are all part of the solution."
- John Fleming, CEO, Ford of Europe The PSI provides a basis for permanent evaluation and improved sustainability performance for new generations of vehicles. Consequently, the all-new Ford Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy show improved PSI performance versus their predecessors. For instance, more recycled and renewable materials have been used in these three models. At the same time as safety performance has been improved, these vehicles' life cycle air emissions and life cycle cost of ownership have been reduced.All three models have also been awarded the TuV Rhineland Group's "Allergy-Tested Interior" seal of approval, following in the footsteps of the Ford Ka, Ford Focus and Ford C-MAX. For a company to receive the award, TuV experts must certify that the car's interior materials were selected to reduce the risk of allergic reaction to the lowest possible level. Ford is the first manufacturer to offer vehicles that have received this
certification, and plans to get as many existing and future models as possible similarly
certified. "All future Ford vehicles will also be developed with PSI in mind. It shows that Ford is committed to continue to share in its contribution to make mobility more sustainable," Fleming says.
"It is clear that to address the enormous challenge that sustainable mobility implies, society will increasingly need integrated approaches - with all stakeholders in the transport sector contributing. We are all part of the problem, and we are all part of the solution."
(Source: Ford) 
