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In the US, Ford has announced that its latest version of
the Explorer is 85 percent recyclable.
The SUV also includes 25 percent recycled fabric in its interior
and the bio-foam seat padding Ford has been developing in
recent years.
Ford said the use of recycled fiber instead of virgin fiber
results in an estimated 20 percent reduction in energy consumption,
17 percent waste elimination and 14 percent reduction in CO2
emissions for the Explorer's seating materials.
The Explorer is the latest Ford vehicle to feature 40 percent
soy polyurethane foam in seat cushions and seatbacks - Ford
aims to use the bio-based material in nearly 100 percent of
its North American vehicles by the end of the year.
Ford also is reducing its use of virgin steel by an estimated
119 tons a year by making the vehicle's fender baffles from
the steel left over from stamping out the door openings of
its F-150 truck body sides.
The company also said the 2011 version will be a class leader
in fuel economy - achieving a 30 percent improvement with
Ford's latest powertrain. Ford did not give mpg figures for
the new vehicle.
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