Renault Introduces the New eco² Product Line
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 05.14.07
The new eco² product line from Renault sets some laudably high standards for the company’s already appropriately-sized cars. This new “appellation” (as the press release poetically puts it) pins three main criteria on cars in the eco² line: 1) the car must be manufactured in an ISO 1400-certified factory, 2) The car’s CO2 emissions can’t exceed 140 grams per kilometer if it runs on gasoline, or it must be able to run on E85 or B30 (30% biodiesel), 3) At least 5% of the plastics used in manufacturing must be from recycled sources. Renault’s program is specifically focused on carbon dioxide emissions and the impacts on climate change, which is somewhat heartening, considering the company has ambitions to sell cars to the developing world for around $3000 USD. It is also encouraging to see Renault putting an emphasis on B30, a slight upping of the typical B20 blend that we often have to settle for in the States. Pictured above is the Renault Clio Rip Curl, a youth-oriented model with a 1.2 Liter, ethanol-capable motor. ::via Autoblog Green
One word in this article requires a comment - "laudably". When it comes to any articles about cars, come on Treehugger, laudable is not a word that fits.
Mainstream car manufacture is not worthy of praise even if they are suddenly setting below par standards for themselves (prior to citizen power demanding legal curbs?). It may be worthy of comment - good work, keep getting better - but it's not commendable. The car industry has had many years to improve on dated practices and we're only hearing about these new initiatives because green power is topical right now.
I've spent over 10 years in media - greenwashing is standard preparation for any press intel you receive from the big industries. Keep a look out for it, stay relevant as your success continues and save the praise for later in the day when a new car initiative has been proposed, funded, rolled-out and proven it's effectiveness. Until then it's just eco-hype.
Don't confuse this line of cars with the $3000 cars for the BRIC market.