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A material selection including a natural material is conducted using a Simplified Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA) according to SETAC within the framework of Ford's Design for Environment (DfE) process. The aim has been to check both, the environmental performance of a design option concerning a specific component and the feasibility of methodology. The result of the simplified LCA is the recommendation to substitute glass fibers by hemp fibers in a specific insulation. The methodology provides differentiated environmental information and seems to be feasible. However, a lot of LCA experience is necessary to be enabled to simplify LCA.

The European car manufacturers have combined their efforts and experience in the field of Life Cycle Assessment in a EUCAR working group. An overview on work program and status of project phase 1 and 2 is given. In particular, the efforts regarding end-of-life vehicle scenarios and key ‘in-use-phase’ parameters are addressed, e.g. real drive cycles and weight impacts on fuel consumption. In the field of impact assessment, available methodological approaches are evaluated from an automotive industries' point of view, targeting for a common position and prioritization.