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ISU study finds large potential for biobased materials in auto industry, but with challenges

Green Car Congress

Their report, “Biobased Automobile Parts Investigation”, was developed for the USDA Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. Marketing the use of biobased materials being used in an automobile costs money and must be part of the consideration in the cost of using biobased parts. —“Biobased Automobile Parts Investigation”.

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Ford Increasing Use of Renewable and Recyclable Materials in Vehicles

Green Car Congress

Ford is increasing the use of renewable and recyclable materials such as the soy and bio-based seat cushions and seatbacks on the 2010 Ford Taurus. The 2010 Ford Taurus is the eleventh Ford vehicle to feature bio-based seat cushions and seatbacks. liter V-6 2010 Ford Escape. Ford vehicles are now 85% recyclable by weight.

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Cash for Clunkers Buoys US Auto Sales; Hybrid Sales Up 31.8% for Monthly New Vehicle Share of 3.55%

Green Car Congress

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury retail sales increased 9% versus a year ago. Other results included: Ford Fusion sales totaled 17,610, a July record and up 66% versus a year ago, and Mercury Milan sales were up 60%. Ford Escape sales totaled 20,241, a July record and up 94% versus a year ago, and Mercury Mariner sales were up 71%.

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July/August '06 - Activists Promote the Film, Ford Retreats on Hybrids

Plugs and Cars

A year ago Ford nabbed a significant endorsement from the Sierra Club for its limited edition Mercury Mariner hybrid (29/35 mpg - gasoline only) and a promise of 250,000 hybrids by 2010. Ford has now done an abrupt about face. Ethanol is the alternative fuels flavor of the month, and Ford jumped on GM’s yellow bandwagon.

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How Carmakers Are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

GM has announced plans for public sales in 2010, and almost every carmaker now says it will sell PHEVs or highway-speed battery electric vehicles (BEVs) sometime after 2010. Committed to sales of 10,000 or more vehicles in late 2010, with increasing production in 2011. Aims to get Saturn Vue on road in 2010; no production goal.

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