GM to drive industry toward sustainable natural rubber tires

Detroit, Michigan – General Motors Co. is collaborating with rubber and tire suppliers to establish a plan to source more rubber through environmentally sound and sustainable natural rubber production.

Additionally, the auto maker also intends to move the industry toward net-zero deforestation and uphold human and labour rights.

Steve Kiefer, GM's senior vice president of global purchasing and supply chain, said in a press conference 15 May that GM is establishing commitments with suppliers such as Bridgestone Americas Inc., Continental Tire the Americas, Goodyear and Michelin to determine a plan for the future.

"Our supplier partners are an extension of our company," Kiefer said. "We want to encourage affordable, safer and cleaner options for our customers that drive value to both our organization and the communities in which we work."

Working with those suppliers is the first step in the plan, as the auto maker looks for ways to develop transparency into natural rubber usage and ensure its traceability throughout the supply chain.

After that, GM will convene stakeholders to establish criteria for the programme.

In June, GM will host a workshop at Michelin's Movin' On Conference, kicking off a series of multi-stakeholder dialogues and exchanges to discuss the company's commitment.

Then, GM will work with other auto makers to advance the movement. It expects to develop an industry road map of how to reach the goal of a sustainable, net-zero deforestation program.

GM will be working with tire suppliers, governments, rubber industry associations and environmental non-governmental organisations to drive alignment and reduce supply chain complexity.