• Reducing the fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of its vehicles
• Developing alternative powertrain and fuel technologies
• Optimizing the recyclability and reuse of raw materials during car manufacture
• Reducing vehicle noise levels and tailpipe emissions to support human health

The new guidelines will apply to all of the company’s global brands, Volkswagen says.

“Each of our brands defines its own positioning in terms of environmental concerns,” according to Günter Damme, Volkswagen’s head of environmental affairs. “The Volkswagen brand, for example, is seeking to position itself as the world’s greenest automaker.”