Automaker Rankings: The Environmental Performance of Car Companies

The report evaluates the environmental performance of the 'Big Six' automakers—Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Ford, General Motors, and DaimlerChrysler—using government data on smog-forming pollutants and greenhouse gases. Honda is ranked as the cleanest, while DaimlerChrysler is the dirtiest. The analysis highlights a significant pollution gap between cars and trucks, noting that trucks are permitted to emit more pollutants under current regulations. While smog-forming emissions decreased across the industry due to the National Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) program, global warming gas emissions increased, driven by a shift toward larger, less efficient vehicles. The report argues that voluntary corporate commitments, such as Ford's effort to reduce truck emissions, can improve rankings, but emphasizes that government regulation is necessary for industry-wide progress.

• Honda is the cleanest automaker by a significant margin, with its average model year 2001 (MY01) vehicle emitting 21 percent fewer global warming gases and 31 percent less smog-forming pollution than the average of the Big Six.
• DaimlerChrysler is ranked as the dirtiest automaker, with its average MY01 vehicle being 9 to 10 percent dirtier than the Big Six average. The company is noted for its aggressive use of fuel economy loopholes for ethanol-capable vehicles, such as the Dodge Caravan.
• There is a stark difference in pollution levels between vehicle types; the average MY01 truck emitted 2.4 times more smog-forming pollution and 1.4 times more global warming gases than the average MY01 car.
• Despite progress on smog, the industry failed to reduce global warming gases, with average heat-trapping emissions from new MY01 vehicles reaching their highest levels in over two decades.
• Ford improved its ranking from fifth in MY98 to fourth in MY01 due to a voluntary commitment to build trucks with lower smog-forming emissions, making its largest trucks 16-18 percent cleaner than the class average.
• The 'Big Three' (GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler) have a disproportionate environmental impact, accounting for 75 percent of all smog-forming emissions and 72 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions from new vehicles.
• Nissan regained third place in MY01 after meeting new tailpipe standards for smog-forming pollution, though this was offset by poor performance on global warming gases and a rapid shift toward truck sales.

APA

Mark, J. (2002). Automaker Rankings: The Environmental Performance of Car Companies. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/autorank2002.pdf

Chicago

Mark, Jason. Automaker Rankings: The Environmental Performance of Car Companies. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2002. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/autorank2002.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mark |first1=Jason |title=Automaker Rankings: The Environmental Performance of Car Companies |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=September 2002 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/autorank2002.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mark2002automaker, author = {Mark, Jason}, title = {{Automaker Rankings: The Environmental Performance of Car Companies}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2002}, month = sep, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/autorank2002.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }