Environmental Challenges Facing The American Auto Industry

effect the American auto industry are; global competition in the industry, new technology for powering

The American automotive industry has been under a lot of pressure over recent years due to increased concern for the environment and increased global competition. An environmental scan on the American automotive industry shows that the global competition is a great cause for concern, new technology is providing an edge, emissions and laws regulating them are as tight as ever, and consumer opinion is reflecting concern for this.

Some of these studies, analysed the association between traffic pollution and the rate of asthma hospitalisation, concluding that traffic-related pollution was one factor that affects asthma (Pereira et al., 2010; Puig-barbera & Bellido-blasco, 2009; Sahsuvaroglu et al., 2009). However, the study of M??lter et al., (2015) suggests a negative association between traffic-related pollution and asthma is

Ozone (O3), also referred to as smog, is a strong oxidant that reduces lung function, intensify asthma, increase chances for respiratory illness, and lead to permanent lung damage. Also, it may damage plant-life. O3, not being a direct vehicle emission, is produced by reactions of nitrous oxides and atmospheric air in the presence of sunlight. The formation of O3 generally occurs more often in urban areas rather than rural. (“Alternative”)

The American Auto Industry has evolved for many decades with pioneers such as Ford Motor Company. The United States Auto Industry was once upon a time a global leader in the automotive industry but due to knowledge and skills acquisition by other automobile manufacturers such as Toyota, the once American Auto Industry leadership has been surpassed. I will give discuss this following paragraphs.

The negative effects of automobile emissions pollution were recognized long ago. The Department of Health, Education and Welfare estimated in the late 1950’s that nationwide, cars contribute 48 percent of the carbon monoxide, 4 percent of the sulfur dioxide, 32 percent of the nitrogen oxides, 59 percent of hydrocarbons and 8 percent of the particulate matter in our atmosphere. With all of these figures together, it meant that the automobile was by far the nations largest polluter, being responsible for 43 percent of all air pollution (Patterson 6). These numbers were staggering and brought many people to the opinion that something had to be done.

The use of automobiles has since increased in the US and other parts of the world. By 1999, the US alone had over 200 million passenger cars and light trucks. The number of cars worldwide grew thrice faster than the human population. The increase in the number of automobiles has become a matter of great concern as it leads to serious air pollution. For instance, European Environment Agency reported that transportation emission presents a huge threat to the environment.

The first topic I’m going to discuss is the global competition in this industry. The American Auto

According to the Environmental Protection article at www.eponline.com, it states that the environmental issues top the list of challenges in the automotive industry, outranking the cost reduction for the first time in 14 years. The survey was conducted by DuPont and the Society of the Automotive Industry. The survey results included the following results and statistics:

Although the first steam powered automobile dates back to the 1760s, it was not until 1789 when

Vehicle are one of the lead contributors to air pollution; in the United States transportation causes seventy five percent of carbon monoxide (Brinson). The author Linda Brinson states “the U.S. has thirty percent of the world's automobiles, yet it contributes about half of the world's emissions from cars” (Brinson). Also, air pollution poses a serious threat to human health; it ranges from birth defects to lung diseases like tuberculosis. According to the Urban Environment Unit “urban air pollution is linked to up to one million premature deaths and one million pre-native

Today, air quality is something that plays a major role in all of our lives. The types of chemicals or substances that are present in our air can be very alarming depending on where you live or who you are. Air pollution can cause various health effects to children and one major issue is asthma. In the past, researchers have indicated that heavy traffic leads to asthma if a child lives close to traffic. Also, other studies have looked at heavy traffic near schools and found that the prevalence of respiratory symptoms has increased. The studies mentioned did not provide strong associations or highly sound data, which lead to the Southern California Children’s Health Study (CHS). McConnell et al. (2010) wanted to investigate air pollution and

This essay will analyze the current environmental challenges faced by the auto industry in the

Introduction Automobile usage has increased in America and elsewhere in the world. In a research done by Sutherland, J., et al. (2004) “The US has a contributed to 200 million passengers in cars and light truck over the past few years. Further in 1990, studies showed that US cars increased six times faster than human population. The leaders in the automotive industry must adopt some key elements to ensure success in this fast-moving environment. They must invest in knowing their markets, building brands, adapting product strategies and taking long-term view on their goals and objectives. This paper outlines some of the key factors which should be considered. Environmental factors automotive designers and engineers have always said the main threats in the American Automotive industry are the environmental factors such as fuel economy and the clean air regulations. Automotive Emission posed different problems than manufacturing discharges such as coal smoke. Increased fossil-fuel emission has resulted from the million car increase. Irritation smog, which is comprised of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, sulfur oxide and other various chemical mixtures are cited in major cities such as Los Angeles. These auto emissions are also said to cause headaches, visual pollutions, contribute to lung cancers and other respiratory disease. In the end, the engineers have designed cars that are better environmental performers, cost effective and fuel efficient to reduce the environmental

Increase in motor vehicles use and increase exposure to traffic emissions has been linked to adverse health effects such as asthma exacerbation, decrease pulmonary function, adverse health outcomes, and childhood cancer. 2 In urban areas, motor vehicles contribute to more than 50 % of the air pollution. 2