GM fuel sticker raises bar

As carmakers turn to the environment as the next tool to market their wares, GM has raised the bar with their Ecologic sticker. 

It is a step up from the standard fuel consumption stickers seen on new cars in Australia and the US and comes after GM realised many potential buyers want information on what impact their purchase will have on the planet. 

All 2013 Chevrolets sold in the US will have an Ecologic sticker affixed to the rear driver side window explaining the vehicle's impact on the environment throughout its life cycle. 

GM North America president Mark Reuss said at last month's Washington Car Show that "customers want companies to be honest and transparent about their environmental efforts and sustainability goals, and rightly so.

Putting an Ecologic label on each Chevrolet is just one more way for us to share our environmental progress." The Chevy Sonic that goes on sale in March will be the first vehicle to have the Ecologic labels applied.

The sticker shows the environmental impact in three areas: 

Before the road - aspects related to vehicle manufacturing and assembly. 

On the road - fuel-saving features such as advanced engine technologies, aerodynamics, lightweight components or low-rolling resistance tyres. 

After the road - what percentage by weight of the vehicle can be recycled at the end of its lifespan. 

The data will be verified by Two Tomorrows, an independent sustainability agency that audits companies' environmental initiatives. Holden spokesman Sean Poppitt says there are "no immediate plans" to introduce the innovative label in Australia.

"As with all GM product and initiatives, we'll look at it to see if it's appropriate for this market and `never say never' as it's a very nice idea," he notes.