Autoblog

Click on the image above for high-res shots of this wacky scene

Running diesel vehicles on biofuels is a good thing, right? Not always, according to Greenpeace Argentina. It seems that the export of soybeans from Argentina is causing more pollution than was initially estimated. Also, too much of Argentina's native forests are being mowed down for the soybeans. These issues are in stark contrast with two of Greenpeace's stated charters: (1) catalyzing an energy revolution to address the number one threat facing our planet: climate change and (2) supporting sustainable agriculture by encouraging socially and ecologically responsible farming practices.

No Greenpeace protest would be complete without some sort of outlandish stunt, and this one follows suit. Because most of the Argentinian biodiesel goes to Germany, a Mercedes-Benz M-Class and a Porsche Cayenne were made to look like bulldozers by men and women wielding German flags. The two SUV's were surrounded by fake tree stumps. Once again, Greenpeace has done an admirable job of catching plenty of attention. Whether the group's wacky efforts have any effect, though, is another matter entirely.


[Source: Argentina Auto Blog - translated]

The 2008 Mustang that appears in August will be full o' beans. Soybeans. Ford has teamed with automotive supplier Lear Corporation on the creation of soy-based seat foam. Car seats currently contain roughly petroleum-based foam, and the new soy-based variety will substitute nearly a quarter of that mass with renewable content, as well as lower the amount of C0² emitted during the creation of the foam. Ford's been playing around with soy ever since with Model T, which contained 60 pounds of beans in its paint and molded plastic parts. This is the kind of environmental tech we can get behind -- and sit on -- without reservation. We do wonder, however, what it will do to that new car smell. This isn't the only "green" material Ford's using with regard to seating accommodations in '08 models, either. The new Escape's seat upholstery is made of eco-friendly recycled materials. For Ford's full press release on the new soy foam seats, click the image above or the "Read" link below to see it at AutoblogGreen.

[Source: AutoblogGreen]