GM Dumps Mercury Pollution Partnership

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The Detroit News reveals that GM has stopped paying dues to the End of Life Vehicle Solutions Corp., an industry group dedicated to the safe disposal of mercury switches in scrapped vehicles (some of the dangers of mercury pollution and toxicity here). GM had paid the group $700,000 to $1,000,000 annually to prevent mercury pollution from its switches, “a substantial portion of the program’s funding,” according to the DetN. But since declaring bankruptcy, the New GM seems to think that the approximately 18 million mercury switches in its pre-2000 vehicles are no longer its problem. New GM “has never produced vehicles with mercury switches and has no mercury switch responsibility under the terms of the bankruptcy court order,” say spokesfolks. And though technically the New GM is a not the same company that built cars with mercury switches, GM’s green image-building is radically at odds with this decision. With cash-for-clunkers keeping crushing yards humming, this is going to be one of the busiest years on record for the ELVSC. In short, the perfect time to lose a major funding source. You stay classy, GM!

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 12 comments
  • Lynn Ellsworth Lynn Ellsworth on Aug 11, 2009

    New GM got (probably illegally) to use Old GM's debts to offset any future profits but isn't willing to clean up after Old GM. I can't imagine buying anything from such a sleazy outfit. Mercury contamination is bad news. There is a reason for the phrase, "mad as a hatter".

  • Npbheights Npbheights on Aug 12, 2009

    @runfromcheney if you read the article, General Motors Corporation phased out mercury from the switches from their cars in 2000, so yes, your 1994 Cavalier probably has mercury switches. General Motors Company, LLC (New GM) just started building cars. Even today, most of the cars on GM branded dealerships were not made by them but by General Motors Corporation, (Old GM) Now proudly called Motors Liquidation Company. I am not defending them at all, but General Motors Company, LLC hasn't built many cars at all, let alone ones with mercury switches.

  • Mtypex Mtypex on Aug 12, 2009

    "I imagine Mercurys have the same sticker, which is bizarre in its own way." I'm sorry, but I need to file suit, as there should only be Ford in my Mercury.

  • Fincar1 Fincar1 on Aug 12, 2009

    Mercury in even very small amounts poses hazards to stainless steel and other similar metals that are used to build nuclear reactors, so you can always find these big official-looking signs "MERCURY EXCLUSION AREA". I gave one of them to a co-worker who owned a Grand Marquis to put on his garage. and: BASS COUGHT BEYOND THIS AREA? Please...!

Next