Chrysler is shelling out their concerns for the environment. The car company known for just merely selling a controversial vehicle Fiat 500 EVs is gearing towards achieving environmental advocacies fuelled by their undying commitment to create a sustainable enterprise. During its second-annual Dealer Environmentally Conscious Operations (ECO) Program, the world’s known automobile manufacturer has given out awards to 30 US dealerships in 21 states (Michigan, Florida, California, Texas, North Carolina, New York, Washington, Indiana, Minnesota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Colorado, Connecticut, Ohio, New Jersey) for implementing environmental advocacies throughout their car dealership sales. See if small town dealerships like Lynch Chrysler made the list or not.
The Environmental Initiatives Taken by the Awardees
One of the awardees, the Westgate Chrysler in Raleigh North Carolina has took advantage of the abundance of sunshine in the central part through installing 420 solar panels in the roof of their service department. The sunlight converted to usable electricity through the photovoltaic modules in the array of the installed device. Instead of using the acquired energy, they are selling it to electric power companies in a fixed rate in the region. Fortunately, they got a monthly savings of $1800 to $3,000 through selling the generated power from the solar panel. And because their electricity usage has no charge at all, they managed to install a large LCD monitor in the showroom, displaying the performance in a current, daily, monthly and annual basis. Also, they kept track of the local weather and an educational page on how the solar panel system works. Westgate’s initiative has extended way beyond the solar panels. They have implemented another eco-friendly innovation related to their dedication to renewable energy generation through installing furnaces that are clean burn while still utilizing used oil waste in heating the service department. This kind of activity has also reduced the dependence on raw materials like water and the usage of fossil fuel. Aside from the Westgate, there are seven other dealers that implemented the same solar energy converter that eventually reduces their usage of electricity and emissions of carbon dioxide.
The Selection of Awardees
The recognition of the 30 dealers is done in various process and there are some guidelines that were followed in carefully choosing the awardees. Data are useful in identifying the awardees; these are through in-dealership images and online surveys. Community relations program, energy efficiency, waste water control, waste recycling, vehicle lift maintenance and bulk oil contentment are some of the major initiative that became basis for judgment of winning dealers.
The ECO Program is a good way of encouraging other Chrysler dealers to put some effort in implementing eco-friendly practices aside from just doing purely business. It is a good opportunity for them to be appreciated the demonstration caring for the environment.
The awardees from the 21 states received an ECO plaque. Souvenirs are given out for the dealership employees as well. Corporate social responsibility is important when you aim for having a totally sustainable enterprise and for Chrysler to implement this kind of environment advocacy is a good example that even the large companies is investing much for the welfare of the ecosystem.
