Ford Touts Sustainability Gains (F, GM, TM)

Automaker Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) today released its annual sustainability report, claiming a 22% reduction in energy used to build cars over the past 6 years and a plan to cut another 25% over the next 5 years. The company also noted reductions in water use, waste-to-landfill, and CO2 emissions to go along with better vehicle fuel economy.

Competitors General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) released a similar report in January and Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) released its environmental report in November 2011.

Ford also noted progress in its efforts to improve working conditions, non-discrimination, and factory health, safety, and environmental conditions all through its $75 billion supply chain. Regarding these human rights issues, a company spokesperson said:

Detailing our progress on human rights and sharing stories of our projects in the sustainability report is our primary source of communication regarding issues of social sustainability – and not just to media and customers. Investors are paying attention to working conditions, conflict minerals and trafficking more intensely, and our stakeholders want to be kept updated on all developments.

Ford’s shares are trading up about 0.2% in the pre-market this morning, at $10.43 in a 52-week range of $9.05-$14.22

Paul Ausick