New Chevrolets Get Ecological Label
Chevrolet says it will start putting new informational labels on its vehicles to help consumers understand the vehicle's ecological impact. But is it just a marketing gimmick?
Starting in March with the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, each new model will have a small label on the rear driver-side window. More Chevrolets will get the label starting with the 2013 model year.
The label helps explain the ecological benefits of choosing a Chevy over competing vehicles, or possibly a used car. Facts on the Sonic's label include that it was produced in the U.S. — thus reducing emissions related to transportation — and that the car is 85% recyclable. An independent third-party sustainability agency verifies the information on the labels.
We don't know of any other manufacturers with labels like this, which actually puts Chevrolet's facts into a bit of a vacuum. How will consumers know if other vehicles don't offer the same green benefits? For instance, a car is one of the most recyclable items on the planet, with about 75% to 80% being reused on average. That makes the Sonic's recyclable figure, while still better, seem less impressive.
If other automakers started printing labels like this and there were more comparative analysis and context, we could see how the labels could benefit car shoppers.
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An utter marketing gimmick with tons of false info, nothing more.
How many consumers will really care, when
(1) they are buying air polluting ICE vehicle; and
(2) they are techno geeks that need to know, say, how variable valve timing work (as if Chevy is the only brand that has it)?
Sonic, for example, is really "assembled" in US with parts such as engine and transmission being shipped from Korea, as well as many internal mechanicals parts from China. Teleporting technology is still in its infancy stage after some 30 years of having it shown on TV. Are those being listed on the label?
How about all the trees that need to be cut down for the label, the garbage that these label creates, and the detergent that needs to be used to clean those adhesives?
Seem to me that this is an idea from the same team/person who put forth the "GM badge" on all GM vehicles, deja vu.
The Expert has spoken.
How can you criticize Chevy for doing something first? Its not their problem that competitors don't have such a label. Its just information for the consumer, some may think this is valuable, others wont care. The point is to show how "green" is more than just EPA mileage. I see the fact that the Sonic is one of only subcompacts not being shipped from Asia (I think Versa is from Mexico) wasn't mentioned. I dont think you need labels from other brands to verify where the Sonic stacks up in that regard.
@ WTF,
I ain't the EXPERT. You are. I'm just a fool.
Besides, whose authority is there that says "[T]his is a green vehicle?"
By just slapping a sticker, with green color and a leaf shape graphic, and all of a sudden, it's green?
I don't realize that GM is a green environmental company or organization...I thought that they are just in automotive business.
I recall how many have slapped a "Turbo" emblem on a beat down 4 seater, and suddenly, the car has turbo power!
See similar tactics being used in the food industry, esp on cereal boxes, health food, and alike?
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Health/fda-scrutinizes-food-labels-cereals-smart-choices-program/story?id=8878025#.TyLavJi83u0
http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Children_s_Health_200/Parents_Often_Misled_by_Health_Claims_on_Children_s_Cereal_Packages.shtml
Laughable.
he is clueless.
Amuro makes good points.
LOL! Like what? The CONSUMER will determine if this info means something to them- not Amuro. He is saying GM is somehow being shady for offering this information- its absurd. LOTS of companies are stressing their "green" credentials- automakers are no different. And his food analogy is totally off base. With food there arent clear standards on what things like "organic" or "all natural" mean. Those terms are used a lot on packaging but they are ambiguous. The data on the label is factual, not ambiguous.
AR really stepped into it this time!