LIFE CYCLE APPROACH

Life-cycle thinking is part of the design process at GM. Design engineers are aided by Design for the Environment (DfE) engineers to apply the appropriate tools to make informed decisions on materials, processes, and implications for end-of-life disposal. Environmental improvements of the components of a given model are tracked through the design phase and reported in our Environmental Features brochures. This approach tracks environmental improvements made to the vehicle and identifies the plant where it was built. The Environmental Features brochures are available at many GM dealerships and on the web.

GM's life cycle approach is updated by the following:

• A global life cycle analysis subcommittee, which manages skills and resources
• GaBi 3 Professional software for life cycle analyses
• One of the largest databases of automotive life cycle inventory (LCI) data.

Part of GM's DfE approach includes:

• designing to reduce fuel consumption and emissions
• designing for safety
• design for recycling