Garelick Boat Hook 55170/02 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.

Revealed: the most expensive areas for car insurance

A study by AA Insurance has found that drivers in London are paying the most for their car insurance – with the average premium costing a whopping £922.44. And – despite a recent fall in car insurance premiums – the average cost could soon increase, with some areas already noticing insurance getting more expensive. Top 25 new cars that are cheap to insure Cheapest cars to insure for 17-18 year olds The AA found that car insurance is the most expensive in London, followed by the IG postal area (including Ilford, Barking and Chigwell), with an average premium of £912.07.

Citroen Cactus concept car (2013): the first bubble-wrap, bump-free car

French car firm Citroen has enjoyed some success with its range of upmarket DS models – but now it’s turning its attention to the bread-and-butter C-line cars. And the new 2013 Citroen Cactus concept car is the first look at what’s in store for the mainstream Citroen car range. The Citroen Cactus immediately stands out from the crowd of same-again European crossovers because of its novel Airbump system: think of protective bubble-wrap on the doors and bumpers to protect them from scrapes and dings in car parks and you’re not far from the truth.