New CO2 Emissions Findings for Auto Manufacturers

Environmental Defense recently published a report called Global Warming on the Road.  Here is their summary of findings for the six largest automobile manufacturers (the Big Six):

General Motors - GM’s new fleet average CO₂ emissions rate was 3 percent higher in 2005 than it was in 1990, while market share dropped 10 points. Rising light truck share and flex-fuel vehicle (FFV) credits more than offset the recent increases in the fuel economy of many GM models. Carbon burden fell 6.5 percent but remained the largest overall.

Ford - Ford’s market share dropped 7 points from 1990 to 2005, leading to a 5.8 percent drop in carbon burdens. Heavy use of FFV credits caused a 4.3 percent increase in fleet average CO₂ emissions rate, accounting for most of Ford's total 4.7 percent increase in emissions rate.

DaimlerChrysler (DCX) - As a result of higher truck share and net lower fuel economy, DCX’s CO₂ emissions rate was up 4.8 percent from 1990 levels, and the worst among all automakers. Market share increased 3 points. DCX had the greatest dependence on trucks, though showing recent signs of fuel economy improvement.

Toyota - Toyota’s CO₂ emissions rate decreased 3 percent while its market share rose 7 points from 1990 to 2005. Its carbon burden growth — the greatest among the Big Six — was due entirely to increased sales.

Honda - Rapidly growing truck fraction pushed Honda’s CO₂ emissions rate up 4.4 percent while market share gained 1.6 points from 1990 to 2005, but the company remained the fuel economy leader with a combined car and light truck average of 29 mpg.

Nissan - Growing truck reliance and declining truck fuel economy pushed Nissan’s CO₂ emissions rate up 9.2 percent, the most among the Big Six, while the company gained 2 points of market share from 1990 to 2005.