GM, CEOs' hybrid drive to DC make the list of 2008's Top Greenwashes
The public radio MarketPlace focuses on the economy writ large, but when some contributors to the show decided to put together a list of the top greenwashes of 2008, three automotive-related items made the list. The team singled out GM for its "gas friendly to gas free" campaign, Shell's attempts at trying to put a green sheen on its policies, and the whole hoopla surrounding the Big Three CEOs scrapping their private jet flights and taking hybrids instead as examples of egregious greenwashing. For the Detroit-to-DC drive(s), Marketplace figured that the carbon output of driving and flying on a commercial flight were pretty much the same, and that, "The only reason I can think of for them to drive hybrids is to make the companies look green." What do you think needs to be added to the list?
[Source: MarketPlace]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jo 12:52PM (12/22/2008)
I have to disagree with the statement "The only reason ... for them to drive hybrids is to make the companies look green."
Simply, the big 3 were/are trying to show that they can build exciting, advanced vehicles, and the examples from GM and Ford are just that: quality vehicles that can compete (and win) against the very best from Toyota and Honda's US offerings.
(Chrysler's hybrid and ENVI/EV programs are iffy, at best)
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sydbot 1:17PM (12/22/2008)
The Volt is a hybrid?
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Derek 8:09AM (12/23/2008)
Uh, just what did you think it was?
Chris 1:21PM (12/22/2008)
What!?!
You mean someone thought that Wagoner driving most of the way in a Malibu BS-hybrid and then changing over to a "Volt prototype" for the last few miles was greenwashing?
I NEVER... the nerve...
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/081204-GM-CEO-Drives-a-Chevy-Volt-to-Washington-Sort-Of/
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Mike!!ekiM 3:21PM (12/22/2008)
Give me a break. A couple of guys driving cars vs. the EPA?
The EPA is the clear "GreanWash" winner for 2008:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/business/19coal.html
Coal, destroyer of clean water along with CO2 emissions is the clear winner.
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why not the LS2LS7? 1:58PM (12/22/2008)
Yeah, the drive was stupid. But the stupid public demanded it by getting annoyed at the execs flying.
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Nudger 2:05PM (12/22/2008)
Be careful with the greenwash broadbrush (except relative to incompetent PR). There are very big differences between GM, Ford and Chrysler, and it's a mistake to throw them out the window together.
http://blog.vanno.com/index.php/2008/12/22/the-auto-bailout-behind-the-music/
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pwg 2:43PM (12/22/2008)
the entire conceit that we can continue to live with cars in the future. Alas. I love to drive, but it's not going to go on for ever. Build trains. Now.
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gorr 3:18PM (12/22/2008)
The ultimate greenwash is that none or the green-label are attractive. Like the prius with his 10 000$ more for saving 2 $ of gas a week or electric battery like tesla for 70 000$ more then an equivalent gasoline conterpart. All the green thing are worth sh*t nothing else. Only downsizing can be see as greener, LOL. The clarity is the best green thing with his fuel been made with electricity and water that return to water once use, a natural equation made by jesus and all humans long long time ago.
But the ultimate stupid greenwash is that nobody is talking for the eco-fueler that pollute 10x times less that the equivalent gasoline conterpart and is made entirelly in u.s.a with his fuel too and cost few, 20 000$ total. This is a great buy and nobody here is helping that, why? At least it's the better choice for now, even if it have 3 wheels. If it become succesful then a 4 wheels can be made later-on.
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Woodenbee 4:43PM (12/22/2008)
I just realized what the coded talk about detroit making the wrong cars, bad decisions etc is all about, and now Toyota is struggling, that got me thinking the Toyota Tundra= big oversized piece of junk, why ever would Toyota forget all common sense and make these things without their usual regard for common sense and fuel consumption?? why because the Bush admin (Cheney) told them we would be floating in cheap gas by now thanks to the exclusive drilling deals prearranged before the Iraq war plus there'd be all these war contractors coming home with bulging pockets of tax payers money looking for shiny new trucks for the whole family!!! things didn't quite pan out that way, so now all the automakers are stuck with these giant trucks and SUV's and a dying economy, nice job Cheney. I guess the automakers thought they were onto a sure thing, thats why they completely ignored making any economical cars, oh and guess which is the only manufacturer still turning a profit, VW, don't see many full size VW trucks around do ya!!! they were too smart/decent to buy into Cheneys lies/secret energy plan.
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ronnie schreiber 2:54PM (12/23/2008)
You need to have your tinfoil hat resized. Your BDS has made your brain swell.
Woodenbee 5:29PM (12/23/2008)
well which part can you dispute??
Secret energy "plan" fact
exclusive Oil contracts with big oil Corporations fact
cheney warmonger fact
big three + toyota focus on big trucks and suv's fact
Utter failures due to greed and incompetence fact
Derek 8:08AM (12/23/2008)
Bigger Greenwash: Toyota Prius. Toyota makes one (low volume) green car and immediately gets a free ride for their SUV's and other cars that get similar to worse mpg than GM's.
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gmporschenut 9:42PM (12/23/2008)
Thank you,
Toyota builds a 100,000 priuses and then a million SUV's and the world loves them.
GM builds a hybrid SUV and the world lampoons them dispite an SUV getting 5-6 miles per gallon more saves more gas a year then from switching from a yaris to prius.
I would say the winner is all the bs products that marketing departments try to green up "we added some solar panels to our roof" if you really wanted green furniture you would just use an old one and not ship one from india.