2013 Ford Fusion Shows That Cars Can Be Sustainable

In January, I had the pleasure to attend the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and get a first hand look at the all new 2013 Ford Fusion. I was thoroughly impressed that this vehicle is going to be available in three different eco engines: EcoBoost, Hybrid and Energi (plug-in hybrid). But that is not all that makes the new Fusion a more sustainable vehicle.

When talking about sustainability, one has to consider all the components that go into making a vehicle as well as the end result fuel efficiency. Ford continues to be an innovator in this area by using green solutions to reduce petroleum-based content. In the 2013 Ford Fusion they used materials like recycled cotton and recycled plastic and even soy.

"Building vehicles with great fuel economy is our highest priority in reducing impact on the environment.With every new product design, we also are charged with increasing the use of renewable and recyclable materials in our cars, utilities and trucks to reduce impact on the environment."  ~ Carrie Majeske, Ford product sustainability manager.

Here is a quick look at some of the sustainable materials Ford is using in the new Fusion:

Cotton - Post-industrial, recycled cotton is used as a sound-absorbing material. In every Fusion, the denim equivalent of slightly more than two pairs of average-sized American blue jeans helps to nullify unwanted road, wind and powertrain noise.

Plastic Bottles - Fusion’s North American cloth seat surfaces are made with 100% REPREVE yarn, which is a hybrid of post-industrial and post-consumer waste.  Cloth-seat models contain the equivalent of 38.9 recycled, clear 16-ounce plastic bottles.

Battery Casings - Every 2013 Fusion utilizes plastic made from recycled car battery casings that were otherwise destined for a landfill. This plastic may be found in fender splash shields and other underbody components. Annually, these applications on the Fusion utilize close to 2 million pounds of recycled plastic.

Soy - The foam used in seat cushions, seat backs and head restraints is a soy-based sustainable material, with the equivalent of approximately 31,250 soybeans. Ford uses soy foam on every vehicle built in North America which has reduced petroleum production by more than 5 million pounds and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 20 million pounds annually.

The 2013 Ford Fusion hits the North American market in the Fall of 2012. To learn more visit www.ford.com/cars/fusion/2013.