I was browsing the online edition of the 2010 Volvo XC60's owner's manual just for fun when I came across an entry about Volvo's environmental philosophy. Now when I think about such things, I just assume they mean the car's fuel efficiency and emissions. But according to the manual, Volvo also takes into account the following:
1. Clean air in the passenger compartment which is made possible by the carbon filter which prevents sinister-sounding nitrous oxides and bydrocarbons from coming into the cabin.
2. Textile standard: Apparently the car's interior is also designed with consideration for folks with contact allergies or asthma and is made with "environmentally-compatible materials" that fulfill something called the Oeko-Tex 100 standard.
3. Reducing environmental impact by suggesting drivers do stuff like "remove unnecessary items from the car" to decrease the load and fuel consumption, "drive gently," and service their cars regularly.
4. The hard copy of the owner's manual is made of paper pulp from "FSC certified forests."
I wonder how big a part does this philosophy play in a consumer's consideration of the car.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor
vt8919 says:
07:46 PM, 12/30/10
I'm sure there are people out there looking for the most environmentally friendly vehicle from all angles and not just fuel economy-wise.
While I personally don't mind either way if my owner's manual was made from recycled materials, I think it's great that automakers in general are trying things like what's listed in the article to make a vehicle better for the environment and its occupants. Any step in the right direction is good regardless how small or large an impact it makes.
firstwagon says:
01:07 PM, 12/31/10
I don't anyone who cares about the enviroment would be buying a 17 mpg SUV wannabe.
lucien4 says:
02:50 PM, 12/31/10
First 2 are hypo-allergenic, not necessarily top environmentally friendly. The rest isn't that special or uncommon and as pointed out the mileage is relatively poor compared to competitors. I think at least a start/stop system would have been nice to show some effort...
isend2c says:
10:33 PM, 01/ 2/11
Volvo has been doing this for ages (in relation to green-trendiness). Since 2000 at least. Also, keep in mine that this is a notch above most other compact / midsize crossovers as it's packing big power, AWD and is one of the safest (read: heaviest) in it's class.
legacygt says:
05:57 AM, 01/ 4/11
When will someone be brave enough to actually stand up and say that we are never going to buy our way to a greener planet? It's just absurd that we have become so susceptible to marketers that we can go out and buy 2 tons of steel, plastic and glass with some toxic chemicals mixed in for good measure and somehow believe that we've done something good for the environment because the manual is made from recycled paper. Want to help the planet? Keep using your current car and keep reading your current manual. The XC60 (or any new car for that matter) would have to be dramatically more efficient than your current one to balance out the materials, energy and toxicity that go into any new car.