NEW YORK: Car makers bag four of the top 10 positions for greenest companies, according to brand management company Interbrand.
Each of the brands was selected from Interbrand's annual "Best Global Brands" report which ranks the world's 100 most valuable brands, and ranked on a wide variety of criteria including "[the company's] environmental programs," "performance in measuring, reporting and mitigating the environmental performance of their supply chain," and "the green attributes of its products."
This year automotive brands appeared eight times in the top 50 Global Green Brands, four of which (Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen and BMW) ranked in the top 10.
In a statement on Tuesday, Interbrand attributed this year's strong environmental performance by auto brands to "long-term goals [centred] around fuel efficiency, superior energy use and the reduction of toxic emissions."
Interbrand also drew attention to the fact that manufacturers across the auto industry have released a range of alternative fuel-consuming and fuel-efficient vehicles that have improved both the automakers' environmental performance and public perception.
Toyota, which maintains the number one spot, was singled out for its commitment to achieving near zero-landfill status at its North American plants and the brand's construction of eco-friendly dealerships. - Relaxnews