DaimlerChrysler Green with Innovation for Earth Day 1999
15 April 1999
DaimlerChrysler Green with Innovation for Earth Day 1999 AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 15 -- To a casual observer, this
Dodge Stratus appears to be the same mid-size sedan populating driveways and
garages throughout the country.
But looks are deceiving, because this Stratus is made of materials that
might otherwise be populating the nation's landfills and scrap heaps.
DaimlerChrysler is marking Earth Day 1999 with the unveiling
of its CARE car, a prototype Dodge Stratus. From the tires to the tail lamps,
the CARE Stratus represents DaimlerChrysler's commitment to the powerful
potential of recycling. CARE is the Concept for Advanced Recycling and
Environmental project.
"The automobile is the most recycled product and we're trying to set the
bar even higher," says Ronald Boltz, DaimlerChrysler Vice President - Product
Strategy and Regulatory Affairs. "More than 95 percent of all vehicles are
recycled today. By comparison, aluminum cans are recycled at a rate of
51 percent and newspapers at 40 percent. No other product comes close.
"Even so, 75 percent of the total weight of each vehicle is recycled. We
are committed to analyzing the remaining 25 percent and seeing if there isn't
room to improve."
Concepts showcased in the "green" Stratus may find their way into
production vehicles within the next five years as part of DaimlerChrysler's
efforts to produce 85 percent recyclable products by 2002.
A pair of Stratus vehicles will debut on Earth Day, April 22, at the
DaimlerChrysler Technical Center. One has an interior designed by the Lear
Corporation of Southfield, Mich., and the other's interior is the work of
Johnson Controls, Inc., of Milwaukee, Wis.
While it is common for a car's metal to be recycled, glass, plastics and
textiles are more of a challenge. A little of everything in the Stratus CARE
car is made from recycled materials: tires, seats, trim, floor mats and
dozens of other components. Other parts with recycled materials include sun
visors, fuel tanks, air bag systems, door handles, carpeting, fascias, mirrors
and seat belts.
The project began eight months ago, when DaimlerChrysler issued a
challenge to 24 suppliers to introduce new concepts and manufacturing
processes using recycled materials at the same cost -- or less -- than
traditional components, according to Susan Yester, Senior Manager, Vehicle
Recycling Programs.
The work focused on assessing progress in three areas of recycling:
design features that will improve the recyclability of components; greater use
of recycled material content; and the use of resins, or plastics.
Engineers from DaimlerChrysler and its suppliers have begun testing for
performance and endurance in a variety of climates and conditions and will
continue those tests over the next year. The CARE cars already meet or exceed
company criteria established for model year 2005, Yester added.
All of the suppliers volunteered their services -- a contribution valued
at approximately $3 million.
Throughout the process, suppliers worked with DaimlerChrysler engineers
and purchasing officials to develop plans for the cars.
"Our suppliers rose to this challenge enthusiastically. They looked at
this as an opportunity to show their technical expertise," Boltz says.
DaimlerChrysler is asking its suppliers to increase the amount of recycled
materials used in their parts.
For example, among the items in the Stratus is plastic supplied by
Recovery Plastics International (RPI) of Salt Lake City. RPI's plastics are
created from "fluff," shredded residue taken from scrapped vehicles. Fluff
typically heads for the landfill once other materials, usually metals, have
been salvaged for reuse.
