GM Commits To Buying Sustainable Natural Rubber Tires
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In what appears to be an industry-first commitment to sustainability, General Motors is partnering with several tire manufacturers to purchase tires that are made from sustainable natural rubber. GM has said the sustainable rubber will come from sources that "did not lead to deforestation," was harvested to aid an area’s economic and social development, and is "managed in a transparent and traceable manner."
GM buys around 49 million tires annually, says that this new commitment will help preserve and restore forests, reduce carbon impacts in communities, boost the yield and quality for natural rubber farmers, and reduce its own business risk related to supply chain sourcing and help ensure the long-term availability of this key commodity.
Steve Kiefer, GM’s senior vice president of global purchasing and the supply chain, has said that there is no timetable yet for when the automaker hopes to achieve this goal. He cited issues -- such as tracing the rubber from the farm to the factory -- which need to be figured out first.
Kiefer simply said that GM would "have a better answer over the coming months."
The automaker is working with tire manufacturers Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, and Michelin, all of whom support GM's goal. The automaker said it plans to establish an industry road map for the goal by the end of the year and will be meeting with stakeholders to develop purchasing requirements and to develop traceability of natural rubber through the supply chain.
Kiefer also encouraged other automakers and suppliers "to join in this effort to accelerate this process."
GM buys around 49 million tires annually, says that this new commitment will help preserve and restore forests, reduce carbon impacts in communities, boost the yield and quality for natural rubber farmers, and reduce its own business risk related to supply chain sourcing and help ensure the long-term availability of this key commodity.
Steve Kiefer, GM’s senior vice president of global purchasing and the supply chain, has said that there is no timetable yet for when the automaker hopes to achieve this goal. He cited issues -- such as tracing the rubber from the farm to the factory -- which need to be figured out first.
Kiefer simply said that GM would "have a better answer over the coming months."
The automaker is working with tire manufacturers Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear, and Michelin, all of whom support GM's goal. The automaker said it plans to establish an industry road map for the goal by the end of the year and will be meeting with stakeholders to develop purchasing requirements and to develop traceability of natural rubber through the supply chain.
Kiefer also encouraged other automakers and suppliers "to join in this effort to accelerate this process."
