Idle Speed Control Motor Acdelco Pro 19160423 on 2040-parts.com

Ford eyes dandelions as sustainable alternative to synthetic rubber

Ford, in conjunction with Ohio State University, is turning to the humble garden weed as sustainable resource, researching the dandelion's potential use as an alternative to synthetic rubber. While the automaker already makes considerable use of sustainable materials in its vehicles – such as soy foam seat cushions and straw-filled plastic for interior trim – this latest discovery opens up a wealth of new possibilities for automotive applications. According to research conducted by Ford, a milky-white substance that is found in certain dandelion roots can produce a sustainable rubber that could be used to create plastic parts for vehicle interiors.

Hyundai ix35 FCEV Hydrogen Fuel Cell heading for Copenhagen

Hyundai has announced that the Municipality of Copenhagen is taking delivery of 15 Hyundai ix35 FCEV as Hyundai roll out the FCEV. We recently reported that Hyundai are planning to have the hydrogen fuel cell powered ix35 – the ix35 FCEV – commercially available by the end of 2012, and that’s on track with the news that Copenhagen is taking fifteen ix35 FCEVs for its fleet. The decision by Copenhagen to take a small fleet of ix35 FCEVs is part of their quest to have a CO2-free city by 2015 (we assume that means all plant life will end), but the important thing is that running hydrogen cell cars round city roads will get rid of NOx and particulates – which is what really matters.

U.K. firm plans modern Jensen Interceptor

CPP, a British specialist automotive group co-owned by Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov, said it will build a modern version of the iconic Jensen Interceptor grand tourer, starting in 2014. Healey Sports Cars Switzerland, which owns the Jensen brand, has appointed CPP to engineer, develop and build the car, CPP said on Tuesday. CPP will build the Interceptor in a new factory on the site of the former Jaguar Browns Lane plant in Coventry, England.