For Release: Monday, March 15, 2011
Eco-Friendly Parts Help Terrain’s Fuel Efficiency
GMC crossover’s lightweight recycled and renewable materials also absorb noise
DETROIT – With gas prices rising, GMC Terrain owners can take solace in the compact
crossover’s segment-leading highway fuel efficiency of 6.1 L/100km, achieved in part by the use
of lightweight eco-friendly parts.
Terrain also has one of the quietest interiors in its segment thanks in part to plant fibrereinforced ceiling liner and recycled textile insulation in its carpet assembly, dashboard and
cargo area. Terrain demonstrates GMC’s commitment to delivering professional grade
performance in an environmentally responsible package.
“We’re not just using renewable and recycled materials for the sake of being ‘green,’” said Lora
Herron, GM bio and recycled materials engineer. “They often are more energy efficient to
manufacture than parts made from virgin materials, and they can be lighter weight as well,
which helps improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions.”
Much of the sustainable material on Terrain insulates the interior from external noise. At 70
miles per hour, Terrain’s interior is quiet enough to allow conversation in normal tones of voice.
The rigid substrate between Terrain’s steel roof and the soft fabric headliner uses kenaf fibre as
reinforcement. Kenaf is a rapidly renewable plant sustainably cultivated in south Asia and is
hollow like bamboo, which makes it an effective sound dampener. In addition, kenaf-reinforced
substrates weigh less and use less energy to manufacture than those using glass fibres.
Terrain uses an acoustic insulator made with cotton and polyester recycled from varied
consumer products, including jeans and carpet. The material insulates Terrain’s dashboard,
carpet, cargo area and other body sections as well as parts made with more petroleum-based
raw material. As insulation, it is 50 percent lighter and easier to recycle.
GMC also uses recycled plastic from soft drink and water bottles in the rigid plastic grille frame
behind Terrain’s unique chrome-trimmed grille. It also is as strong and durable as a part made
from all-virgin material, and it meets all impact and load requirements. GMC only uses parts
made from sustainable materials if they meet the same high standards as parts made from
virgin material.
Terrain's sustainable attributes extend to recycling some of the post-industrial scrap produced
from making the sound absorber in Terrain’s doors and mixing it with used tires to make air
baffles on GMC's Sierra pickup trucks and Yukon sport utility vehicles.
Terrain, like all GMC vehicles, is at least 85 percent recyclable by weight, with recycled steel
accounting for the greatest contribution. In fact, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), automobiles are among the most-recycled consumer products.
GM’s CAMI stamping and St. Catherines powertrain plants that produce Terrain’s body panels
and engine, are both landfill-free facilities, meaning all waste generated from normal operations
is reused, recycled or converted to energy. In total, GM has 76 facilities with this designation,
achieving a global operations commitment established in 2008 to convert 50 percent of its
plants to landfill-free by the end of 2010.
“By increasing the use of recycled and renewable content in our vehicles we’re helping to
reduce waste to landfills by millions of pounds,” said John Bradburn, GM environmental
engineer. “Our goal is to continually increase the amount of recycled and bio-based material we
use in our vehicles to help improve the end product for our customers and help reduce the
impact on the environment.”
Combined, GM facilities worldwide recycle 90 percent of the waste they generate. In 2010
alone, the automaker recycled or reused 2.5 million tons of waste materials at its plants
worldwide – enough to fill 6.8 million extended-cab pickup trucks that, if parked end-to-end,
would stretch around the world.
About GMC in Canada
GMC has built trucks since 1902, and is one of the industry's healthiest brands. Today GMC is
evolving to offer more fuel-efficient trucks and crossovers, including the Terrain small SUV and
Acadia crossover. The new GMC Sierra Heavy Duty pickups are the most capable and powerful
trucks in the market. Innovation and engineering excellence are woven into all GMCs, including
the Yukon and Yukon XL and full line of Sierra pickups. Today, GMC is the only manufacturer
offering three full-size hybrid trucks. Details on all GMC models are available at www.gm.ca
-30CONTACT(S):
George Saratlic
Office: 905-644-2848
Mobile: 905-442-2927
E-mail: george.saratlic@gm.com
For media enquiries in Quebec contact:
Robert Page
Office: 514-630-6221
robert.page@gm.com
All other (non-media) enquiries:
1-800-463-7483