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One of the global ecological problems is the excessive carbon dioxide emissions generated by vehicles in the transport sector, including passenger transport. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to develop a model that supports the prediction of vehicle variants that will be satisfactory to the customer in terms of: (i) quality level and (ii) environmental impact throughout the life cycle. This model was developed with the following techniques: TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), SMARTER (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound), Pareto–Lorenz, and the Multi-Criteria Decision Method rule (7 ± 2). A model test was carried out for production variants of the electric vehicle BEV (battery electric vehicle) for which the quality level and life cycle assessment were estimated. Vehicle quality levels ranged from 0.15 to 0.69, with a weight of 0.75. However, vehicle life cycle scores were estimated in the range of 0.25 to 0.57, with a weight of 0.25. Ultimately, the level of the vehicles' LCA ranged from 0.18 to 0.62. As a result, it was shown that on the basis of various modifications of the quality level of vehicle variants and the corresponding environmental impacts throughout their life cycle, it is possible to predict the vehicle variant that is most satisfactory for the customer and, at the same time, environmentally friendly. The originality of the model relies on supporting the making of sustainable design decisions and the planning of vehicle improvement actions according to customer expectations. Therefore, the model can be used to analyse different types of vehicles by producers and dealers of these products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability is at the heart of continuous product improvement, where social, environmental, and economic considerations are key. This is a difficult task, especially in the area of the following economic and environmental changes, as well as changes in customer expectations. Additionally, it has become crucial to make product decisions that will be based on their entire life cycle (LCA). Although these aspects of sustainability and LCA are popular, bringing them together in one analysis remains challenging. Therefore, the article's objective was to develop a simplified model that supports decisionmaking, taking into account the criteria of sustainable development and life cycle assessment (LCA). The originality is the proposed model, which operates based on a qualitative indicator (product quality level), an environmental indicator (the product's impact on the environment throughout its life cycle) and a price indicator (purchase price of the product). These indicators are created using the TOPSIS method and the modified ACJ-E method. As a result, a product ranking is created. A novelty is the combination of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) criteria with quality criteria and the actual purchase price of the product. The model test was carried out on the example of CATERPILLAR mini excavators. However, the model can be dedicated to any company that wants to make decisions in accordance with the idea of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]