The independent German-based technical inspection unit, TÜV Nord, has certified the Kia Optima Hybrid and new generation Kia Sorento R to the ISO 14040 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and certified the Euro-only Kia cee’d to the ISO 14062 Design for Environment (DfE). These are the two main environment related certifications from TÜV Nord and are highly sought-after.
The LCA inspection examines the environmental impact of both the car and its overall manufacturing process throughout the course of its lifetime, taking into account factors such as choice of materials, engine exhaust emissions and recycling. The DfE inspection examines the overall design of the product by measuring various eco-friendly factors including weight reduction, use of recyclable materials, fuel-efficiency, and so on.
From the very initial stages of product development, Kia applies eco-friendly processes with the aim of leaving the most minimal impact possible on the environment. Kia’s new product development process includes the following five major steps that cover the development, production, repair and disposal phases of all Kia vehicles:
* Application of an eco-friendly check-sheet throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle
* Utilisation of 3D drawings at the design stage for verifying recyclability
* Breakdown of the product during the development process to verify recyclability
* Usage of eco-friendly materials
* Streamlining of manufacturing process through improvements in materials and parts design simplification
The deployment of this new system has resulted in an overall improved manufacturing process in terms of minimising the environmental footprint of the three Kia vehicles named by TÜV Nord. This year’s ISO 14040 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) certifications were based on the confirmation of an up to 25% decrease in CO2 emissions in the overall manufacturing process.
Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand, says the environmental credentials of Kia Motors are a “success story that most owners are probably unaware of”.
He says: “Kia has made huge investments in environmentally clean production techniques to build cleaner cars, in cleaner factories and each year it publishes a book that outlines its progress for others to scrutinise – that’s real eco commitment.”
TÜV Nord, headquartered in northern Germany, is an international certification organisation with more than 10,000 engineers from approximately 70 different countries supervising the international certification process of all industries.
