Detailed Version - Volkswagen AG

Predecessor model
Golf VI 1.6 MPI DSG
5 Results of the Life Cycle Assessment
3.2
3.0
2.8
2.6
2.4
2.2
2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
Comparison of the environmental profiles of the Golf petrol models
Average impact per inhabitant, EU 15, 2001
Manufacturing
Use Recycling
Global warming potential
Acidification
Photochemical ozone creation
0 km Kilometres driven (model calculation) 150,000 km
Fig. 20: Comparison of environmental impacts over the full life cycle – petrol models
Differentiation of environmental impact caused by manufacturing
While it is relatively easy to draw up life cycle inventories for the service life of a vehicle,
the procedure for the manufacturing phase is considerably more complex as a result of
the wide variety of different parts, materials and processes involved. In the past, it was
necessary to use cut-off criteria in order to simplify the process and to group together
material data for a number of different components. Today, the slimLCI process described
in Chapter 1 allows detailed analyses of the entire parts structure of a vehicle
and all the associated material data.
Furthermore, the LCI process means that a wide variety of information normally omitted
from life cycle inventories in the past can now be considered. This information includes
part numbers that clearly identify all the parts taken into account, the sources of
material and weight data (parts lists, MISS, drawings, etc.) and the assignment of parts
to the six separate disciplines within the Volkswagen Development department: engine,
transmission, equipment, electrical, body and chassis.
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