Mercedes-Benz scores 9 out of 24 at Rank a Brand: Compare how transparent, green and fair your favorite brands are

Mercedes-Benz Info

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9 out of 24
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Brand Owner: Daimler AG
Head Office: Stuttgart, Germany
Sector: Automotive
Categories: Passenger Car
Free Tags: Luxury, Benz, SLK, SLR, Mercedes

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Last Updated: 16 December 2011
Last Verified: 16 December 2011

Mercedes-Benz Score Report

Questions about Climate Change/ Carbon Emissions

7 out of 16


1. Has the brand formulated the objective to reduce its CO2 emissions from its own operations (including owned production facilities), by at least 30% in 2020 compared to 1990 CO2 emission levels?	Daimler AG (Mercedes Benz's parent company) intends to reduce its average CO2 emissions by 20% by the year 2015 compared with 2007 CO2 levels. No objective for the year 2020 is mentioned.	SOURCE
2. Has the brand disclosed the annual carbon footprint of its 'own operations', including owned production facilities?	Daimler AG (Mercedes Benz's parent company) reports on its carbon footprint (see page 61 of its Facts on Sustainability 360, 2011 report).	SOURCE
3. Has the brand already reduced or compensated its CO2 emissions from its own operations (including owned production facilities), by at least 10% in the last 5 years?	Daimler's carbon footprint from own operations has decreased by 4,6% from 2008 (3,879 tonnes, highest number) to 2010 (3,699 tonnes) (click Greenhouse Gas emissions in graph).	SOURCE
4. Does the brand disclose a full carbon Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of its main car models or series, so that the carbon emissions caused by the car production (from raw materials to final product) are also transparent?	Daimler AG, (Mercedes Benz's parent company) does mention that producers should be responsible for the full life cycle of their products but they do not specifically disclose a full carbon LCA assessment in their 2011 sustainability report.	SOURCE
5. Does the brand plan to achieve an average CO2 emission of 130 grams per kilometer (g/km) or lower for its European car fleet prior to 2015?	Daimler AG has formulated a goal which seeks to achieve CO2 emission of less than 140 g/km for its passenger car fleet by 2012. It also mentions that their target will help them achieve the EU required reduction of 135g/km by 2015.	SOURCE
6. Has the brand achieved an average CO2 emission of 160 grams per kilometer (g/km) or lower for its European car fleet?	Daimler AG states that the average emission of the Mercedes-Benz car fleet in Europe is 158 g/km in 2010.	SOURCE
7. Has the brand achieved an average CO2 emission of 150 grams per kilometer (g/km) or lower for its European car fleet?	See remark for climate change question 6.	SOURCE
8. Has the brand achieved an average CO2 emission of 140 grams per kilometer (g/km) or lower for its European car fleet?	See remark for climate change question 6.	SOURCE
9. Has the brand achieved a 4% CO2 emission reduction of the car fleet average in the last two years?	Mercedes-Benz's CO2 emissions car fleet average in 2007 was 178g/km and in 2010 it was 158g/km which is a reduction of over 11%.	SOURCE
10. Has the brand achieved a 10% CO2 emission reduction of the car fleet average in the last five years?	See remark for climate change question 9.	SOURCE
11. Does the brand sell a car that has a CO2 emission of 100 grams per kilometer (g/km) or lower?	In the UK Mercedes car catalogue no such car was found. The automobile with the least CO2 emission found is the Mercedes B 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with 115g/km (p. 12).	SOURCE
12. Does the brand sell a car that has a CO2 emission of 90 grams per kilometer (g/km) or lower?	See remark for climate change question 11.	SOURCE
13. Has the brand developed a prototype car that has a CO2 emission of 70 grams per kilometer (g/km) or lower?	Mercedes is working on several hybrid models with lower reduction of CO2-emissions. Its F800 Style concept car has a CO2 emission of 68g/km. However, the energy efficiency of the car is not given, so it is not clear if comparable emissions, based on EU average carbon emissions/ kWh for electricity production, is met.	SOURCE
14. Does the brand sell a hybrid, electric or fuel cell car on the European market?	The Mercedes S 400 Hybrid and the ML 450 Hybrid were introduced to the European Market in 2009. (See p. 43 of the 2011 Sustainability report)	SOURCE
15. Has the brand announced that a full electric or fuel cell car will be brought to the European market by 2012 at the latest?	Mercedes first completed developing emission free driving with electric vehicles powered by the battery and the fuel cell in 2009. The Mercedes Benz B-Class F-Cell is on the market and the first cars have been sold in Europe and the US (p. 44).	SOURCE
16. Does the brand clearly give the carbon emission or fuel efficiency rates for all models on its website?	Through certain country specific websites information on a particular model's carbon emission or fuel efficiency can be easily accessed.	SOURCE

Questions about Environmental Policy

1 out of 5


1. Does the brand disclose the smog forming exhaust gas emissions rates per km for at least its main car series?	Mercedes does not communicate the smog forming exhaust gas emissions rates per km for any car series.	SOURCE
2. Does the brand report on the emission of air pollutants from its own operations, including owned facilities?	Daimler AG does give an overview of its direct and indirect emissions.	SOURCE
3. Are the materials in each new car model of the brand at least 85% recyclable or reusable?	In its 2011 sustainability report, Daimler AG mentions there is an emphasis on using materials that can easily be recycled after use. There is however no mention of exactly what percentage of the materials used in the manufacturing of new cars comes are recycled or reusable. (see p. 53 under 8.0 Recycling)	SOURCE
4. Can at least 90% of all new and redesigned car models of the brand be reused or recycled, and does the brand have a plan to phase out PVC?	See remark for environmental policy question 3.	SOURCE
5. Does the brand have clear achievements and targets to increase the use of recycled and biodegradable materials in its car fleet?	The sustainability report does not present a policy on the use of ' green materials'. However, the Dutch website gives a view on natural materials used, but no percentages or time bound targets to increase the use of these materials.	SOURCE

Questions about Labour Conditions/ Fair Trade

1 out of 3


1. Does the brand (company) have a Code of Conduct (CoC) for own factories and suppliers, which includes the following standards: No forced or slave labour, no child labour, no discrimination of any kind and a safe and hygienic workplace?	In Daimler AG's Code of Integrity all standards are mentioned (see p.16-17)	SOURCE
2. Does this CoC include at least two of the following workers rights: 1) a formal employment relationship; 2) a maximum working week of 60 hours including paid overtime; 3) a living wage; and 4) to form and join labour unions and bargain collectively; and in those situations where these rights are restricted under law, to develop parallel means?	Daimler AG acknowledges the right to collective bargaining and trade unions, even in countries where law restricts these rights. They also state that compensation may not be lower than the legal local minimum wage. They do not specifically mention living wage. Also no statements are made regarding formal employment relationship or maximum work hours.	SOURCE
3. Does the brand annually report on the results of its labour conditions policy?	Daimler AG's supply chain working group brought together suppliers and others to discuss suitable measures for monitoring partners. There is however no indication as to whether this is a consistent effort in line with reporting of labour conditions policy. (see p. 39 of the 2011 Sustainability report)	SOURCE