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Production output decline slowing

By Alex Michaelides Motor Industry 24 July 2009 12:09 It appears there may be some light at the end of the tunnel for ailing car manufacturers as the most recent vehicle production figures are released. The data, presented by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), show that, while production levels are still on the decline, the pace at which they are declining is slowing. Car production figures for June 2009 are still down by 30.2% compared with this time last year, however this is an improvement on the 50.2% by which production is down so far this year.

MG Dynamo EV Concept debuts at SMMT

The MG Dynamo EV Concept (pictured) is on display at the SMMT MG may not be what it once was (which you can take either way), but as a marque MG is 90 years old. As part of celebrations for the 90th birthday of MG, there’s an exhibition of MG’s models at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) offices in London this week, which include a global debut for an electric MG city car. The MG Dynamo Concept is MG’s vision of an electric city car which, say MG, encompasses “the latest in design and engineering technology”.

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.