Case $2$: Ecologically smart

When Daimler$-$Chrysler started to examine the feasibility of the Smart town car, the challenge was not just to examine the economic feasibility of the product but also to build in environmental sensitivity to the design of the product and the process that was to make it$.$ This is why environmental protection is now a fundamental part of all production activities in the company$$s $$Smartville$$ plant at Hambach near France$$s border with Germany.

The product itself is designed on environmentally compatible principles. Even before assembly starts, the product$$s disassembly must be considered. In fact, the modular construction of the Smart car helped to guarantee economical dismantling at the end of its life. This also helps with the recycling of materials. Over $85$ per cent of the Smart$$s components are recyclable and recycled material is used in its initial construction. For example, the Smart$$s instrument panel comprises $12$ per cent recycled plastic material. Similarly, production processes are designed to be ecologically sustainable. The plant$$s environmentally friendly painting technique allows less paint to be used while maintaining a high quality of protection. It also involves no solvent emission and no hazardous waste, as well as the recycling of surplus material. But it is not only the use of new technology that contributes to the plant$$s ecological

credentials. Ensuring a smooth and efficient movement of materials within the plant also saves time, effort and, above all, energy. So$,$ traffic flow outside and through the building has been optimized, buildings are made accessible to suppliers delivering to the plant and conveyor systems are designed to be loaded equally in both directions so as to avoid empty runs. The company even claims that the buildings themselves are a model for ecological compatibility. No construction materials contain formaldehyde or CFCs and the outside of the buildings are lined with $$TRESPA$,$ a raw material made from European timber that is quick to regenerate.

Study case study $2$ on $$Ecologically smart$$ and answer the following questions.

Question $8(5$ marks$)$

Discuss the various objectives that the Smart car$$s manufacturing processes must achieve? $(5)$

Question $9(5$ marks$)$

Which do you think are the most important objectives? $(5)$

Question $10(5$ marks$)$

By $2006$ the Smart car was still not profitable for Daimler$-$Chrysler. Does this necessarily mean that some process objectives were neglected?