DETROIT - General Motors made significant reductions in energy use and C02 emissions last year, set the automotive industry benchmark for plant safety, and continued to make major improvements in independent rankings for vehicle quality and dependability, according to its latest corporate responsibility report.
The 2004-05 report, titled "Finding the Balance," outlines the company's global achievements and challenges in the key areas of product, economic, environmental, and social responsibility. It documents the automaker's performance by region and globally, based on 2004 data. It is available online at www.gmresponsibility.com and can be downloaded from the site.
"GM's commitment to responsible business practices extends around the world and across our business," said Thomas Gottschalk, executive vice president for law and public policy. "This report highlights GM's challenges and achievements in managing the diverse elements of our business so that GM can contribute not only to economic prosperity in the communities in which we operate, but also to the quality of the environment and the lives of the people we touch."
Following are several highlights of the 2004-05 report:
GM Cars & Trucks
GM is attaining industry leadership in many benchmarks of initial vehicle quality and long-term vehicle dependability. The company's performance in key independent quality studies in 2004 improved significantly, and according to the current J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study, GM dominates the plant quality awards, capturing the top three spots in North and South America out of 84 plants total.
Globally, GM has near-, mid- and long-term strategies aimed at improving the fuel efficiency and environmental impact of our cars and trucks. Those strategies include improvements to internal combustion engine technology, expanding GM's hybrid vehicle portfolio, and ultimately producing vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. For the 2005 model year, GM in the United States offered more vehicle models that get 30 miles per gallon or better on the highway than any other automaker. In addition, GM began sales of the world's first hybrid pickup truck in 2004.
Environmental Gains
GM exceeded its goal to reduce energy use in its global facilities last year, reducing usage by 13.6 percent. GM also surpassed its goal to cut CO2 emissions in its global facilities, achieving a 12.5 percent reduction. Both goals were accomplished a year ahead of the target dates.
GM surpassed its global target for reducing water use, achieving a 23.3 percent reduction in 2004, a year ahead of schedule.
Social Progress
GM set an automotive industry benchmark for plant safety in 2004 by reducing injuries in its global facilities by 14.6 percent, to a total of less than three recordable injuries per 100 employees.
In 2004, GM strengthened requirements among its global suppliers for ethical procurement practices within the terms and conditions of all GM purchase agreements.
Economic Performance
GM's 2004 record revenue of $193.5 billion led the global auto industry. The company's global retail vehicle sales totaled more than 8.9 million in 2004.
-GM's most significant impact on communities is through capital investment, such as plant placement and investment, employment levels, and through philanthropic contributions and employee volunteerism. In 2004, GM and the GM Foundation contributed more than $68 million to charitable organizations. This included approximately $4 million, plus products and services, to support disaster relief efforts.
GM produced the corporate responsibility report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines, and has issued similar reports since 2000.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 325,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall.
