Environmental Issues In The Automobile Industry
In 2002 the digital equipment accounted for 22% of car total value, while the forecasts predicted digital’s equipment value increase up to 35% (M. Ehmer, 2002).
• Rising pressure for innovation in R&D activities and manufacturing.
Automobile development departments are pressed for time due to car lifecycle shortening. The flexible assembly lines were introduced here as an answer to the individualized buyers’ requirements. In the recent years environmental issues became one of the biggest priority in American automobile industry. A study made by DuPont and the Society of the Automotive Industry (SAE) shows that for the first time in 14 years, environmental concerns outpaced cost reduction to top the list of challenges that the automotive industry is pressed to challenge. Over 50% of survey participants pointed out the environmental factors, such as fuel economy, emissions or clean air regulations, to be the industry’s most acute challenges. Meanwhile only 32 % said cost as the biggest concern (L.Walter, 2008). The survey also casted light on how the concern is structured:
• Consumer concerns about vehicle fuel efficiency;
• Rise of alternatively powered