Chrysler 2004 Annual Report Download - page 24

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In 2004, the Fiat Group Sectors put a range of products on the
market whose environmental impact was lower than ever before
in all three key areas of fuel economy, emissions control and
efficiency. Corresponding improvements were made in
manufacturing processes.
For both products and processes, these achievements stem
from the kind of innovation that can only be made possible
by continuing research, and the dedication of all the people
involved.
The Group’s research work is spearheaded by the Fiat Research
Center, Elasis and the Center for the Study of Transportation
Systems, who work in partnership with public and private
organizations as well as with the R&D teams at each of the
Group’s companies.
This year, the Environmental Report has been combined with
the Sustainability Report, which illustrates the our most
important initiatives in the areas of social, economic and
environmental responsibility, as well as the year’s major
achievements.
■Research.Together with other European auto makers and
component manufacturers, the Fiat Research Center
participates in two 15-year projects co-funded by the
European Union to promote the introduction of hydrogen-
powered vehicles. In addition, the FRC worked alongside
IVECO - IRISBUS and component suppliers to develop an
advanced kit for ensuring safe operating conditions for natural
gas tanks on buses.
■Spark ignition engines.Research addressed the pressing
need to reduce fuel consumption and hence CO2 emissions
while maintaining the same or better levels of ride comfort,
performance and driveability.
■Diesel engines.IVECO reached an important goal during
the year, when it certified compliance of its Cursor 10 and
13 engines with SCR selective catalytic reduction and urea
injection with the Euro 4 emissions requirements which
will come into effect in October 2006, and the Euro 5
requirements slated for introduction in October 2008.
These engines versions were presented at the Hannover
International Motor Show in September, and will equip Stralis
trucks in order to satisfy the member states’ legislation before
the European requirements come into effect. Together with
the SCR and SCR-T particulate filter systems, vertical and
horizontal Cursor 8 engines will meet Euro 4 and Euro 5
emissions limits.
In Irisbus applications, they cut emissions by as much as 75%
compared to earlier engines. These powerplants will be
marketed starting in 2005.
■Ongoing process improvements.Concrete application of ISO
14001 methods and the associated continual improvement
programs also made it possible to improve our performance
in managing manufacturing waste, and to reduce volatile
organic compound solvent emissions from the Group’s paint
shops.
Corporate personnel involved in these areas were provided
with a total of 47,400 hours of specialized training.
Overview of the main environmental achievements of the Fiat
Group’s Italian industrial facilities over more than a decade
1991 2003 2004
Recycled waste 61.0% 82.8% 83.1%
Waste to controlled landfills 37.0% 7.4% 9.6%
Solvent emissions from paint shops (g/m
2
) 144.0 72.4 74.1
ENVIRONMENT