Thanks to a tremendous effort from the entire Ford team, the completely redesigned Explorer SUV is going to set new standards for fuel efficiency in its segment, boasting fuel-economy improvements of more than 30 percent. But that’s just one way—albeit an important one—that the Blue Oval is taking an environmentally friendly approach to this important new vehicle.
For example, instead of wasting the leftover steel from the door stampings of the F-150 pickup, Ford is using it to make the Explorer’s noise-dampening fender baffles, which go between the vehicle’s outer shell and its inner structure. That saves some 238,000 lbs. of virgin steel each year, which, in turn, reduces the CO2 emissions that come from smelting new steel by about 119 tons annually.
The Explorer also relies on 25 percent recycled fiber for its interior fabrics, including those used in the SUV’s seat upholstery, bolsters and carpeting—contributing to an estimated 20 percent cut in energy consumption, a 17 percent drop in waste and a 14 percent reduction in CO2 emissions as compared to manufacturing new fiber. And speaking of seats, the Explorer will become the newest Ford product to feature 40 percent soy polyurethane foam in its seat cushions and seat backs.
Since the automaker began using soy foam in the 2008 Mustang, Ford has seen its oil consumption drop by 10,500 barrels a year and cut the CO2 emissions from making seat foam by 11 million pounds.
Finally, it’s worth pointing out that not only has Ford put a lot of green into the new Explorer, but it also designed the groundbreaking SUV to let people get a lot of green out of it, too. The bottom line according to Ford: When you add up all the eco-friendly pieces that go into the 2011 Explorer, the result is a vehicle that is fully 85 percent recyclable.
“By increasing the use of recycled or renewable content in our vehicles whenever possible, Ford is helping reduce waste to landfills by millions of pounds – and the new Explorer is no exception,” said Amy Marentic, group marketing manager, Ford Motor Company. “We believe customers will value these green features, as they help the environment without sacrificing the Explorer’s capability, utility and safety.”
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