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General
Motors Receives the Inaugural EARTH ANGEL
Award at 2008 International Car of the
Year Awards
 In
response to the fluctuation of gas prices
and growing concern for global warming,
the International
Car of the Year Awards (ICOTY)
recently polled automakers about the strides
they were making in addressing environmental
issues and global warming.
Based
on a review of the automakers' answers by the ICOTY
Awards jury, General Motors Corporation
was awarded the inaugural EARTH
ANGEL Award for being the most
environmentally-friendly automaker.
U.S.
Senator Carl Levin presented the award
to Beth Lowery, vice president of Environment,
Engery and Safety Policy for GM at the
12th annual ICOTY Awards diner in Detroit
on Jan. 12. ROAD
& TRAVEL Magazine Editor in
Chief Courtney
Caldwell and Edmunds.com Editorial
Director Kevin Smith, both judges on the
ICOTY jury, co-presented the award, sponsored by Bridgestone.
Eight
major automakers including BMW, Mercedes-Benz,
Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Honda,
Hyundai, Subaru and Toyota particpated
in the competition. Factors considered
were established present and future environmental
initiatives sponsored or supported by
the automaker; current hybrid electric,
diesel and flex-fuel vehicles available
to the public; and the automaker’s
company position and mission on global
warming.
"Automakers
are too often criticized for environmental
insensitivity when the reality is that
they're making enormous strides on a global
level to help improve the earth's environment,"
said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY producer
and creator. "Our goal is to shed
light on these many positive accomplishments,
especially those not known to the general
public or media, therby inviting a more
balanced distribution of recognition and
responsibility."
Throughout
the past year, General Motors has worked
to reduce its energy and water consumption
at manufacturing facilities worldwide.
The company has succeeded in cutting its
CO2 emissions by more than 16 percent
in the last five years as well. Additionally,
GM has led the way in solar power energy,
unveiling the largest corporate-based
solar power warehouse in September at
its Service and Parts Operations warehouse
in Fontana, Calif.
Recognized
for its multiple environmental partnership
programs, GM will continue work in 2008
by launching Project Driveway, the largest
test fleet of fuel cell vehicles to hit
the worldwide market. Project Driveway
will offer drivers in multiple cities
across America the opportunity to become
more familiar with earth-friendly vehicles
including the Chevrolet Equinox.
View
EARTH ANGEL responses from all participating
automakers.
Learn more about the 2008
ICOTY Awards.
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