New Twist on Green: 2008 Ford Mustang Seats Will Be Soy-Based Foam

DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford has announced that it will use soybean-based foam cushions, co-developed with Lear Corp., in the 2008 Mustang. The automaker says the move will "eventually" save "thousands of barrels of oil" that are traditionally used to make petroleum-based foam for vehicle seats.The soy-containing seatbacks and cushions will be installed in the Mustang at the Flat Rock (Michigan) Mazda-Ford Auto Alliance International assembly plant. Ford says this is the industry's first use of the soy-based flexible foam. However, the automaker also notes that it has a history of using soy in vehicles that goes back to the Model T — which had 60 pounds' worth of soy in its paint and molded plastic parts.