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Why tasty cars lose favor.

1/28/2015

9 Comments

 
PictureToyota Aygo
In the latest trend, manufacturers are using eco-friendly materials in vehicle construction. Food sources such as soy, peanut oil and even rice husks are used by some manufacturers, according to Auto Express.

Ford announced last year it was working with food giant Heinz to see if discarded dried tomato skins could be used to develop an alternative to petroleum-based plastic.

British sports car maker Lotus has experimented with body panels made from hemp fibers.

Toyota uses plant-based plastics in the Aygo model. Door trims, seat cushions, spare tire covers and boot liners are among the parts that the Japanese firm now makes with materials derived from natural sources, such as the castor oil plant.

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But on the news today, one driver driver has claimed squirrels ‘ate’ his new Toyota. His car was singled out and repeatedly attacked by the rodents only days after it was delivered, and has been back for repairs four or five times.

‘The aerial’s been chewed off twice, the oxygen sensor’s been damaged and various rubber-like trim parts have been chewed and damaged,’ he told motoring magazine Auto Express.

The dealer paid for the repairs each time the customer returned the car, and eventually swapped it for another model.

In England, many motorists park their car on the street. Garage space is limited on our tiny island. My husband parks our car in a lay-by outside, close to a wild stand of trees. But hungry squirrels have shunned our old metal vehicle.

I like the idea of using natural materials for cars, but if rodents eat the product, sales will fall. I guess scientists need to work out how to remove the flavor.


9 Comments
allison link
1/27/2015 09:09:14 pm

Haha, that's kind of hilarious, but it's also unfortunate. The idea is great, but we have quite a bit of wild life around here. I'd hate to have the deer eating up my car... :/

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Amy link
1/27/2015 09:34:41 pm

Gosh, Francene, it seems like a no-brainer to me: make your car out of edible materials and something's going to want to eat it! Incredible!

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Toni Nelson link
1/27/2015 10:43:37 pm

This takes "my dog ate my homework" to a new level! Imagine telling your boss you couldn't make it into work because the squirrel ate your car!

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Kandas link
1/27/2015 11:52:11 pm

I know, right, Toni?

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Kandas link
1/27/2015 11:51:38 pm

I don't know if I should laugh or cry about this story. I love that manufacturers are being more conscientious and it just sucks that the squirrels are eating the eco-parts!!

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Joan Harrington link
1/28/2015 03:36:03 am

Hi Francene,

Oh my great post and funny :) Thanks for sharing!!

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Suzy link
1/28/2015 06:24:39 pm

Thank goodness my car's made of metal. I'm not sure I'd like an edible car. Cute story.

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used car dealer link
1/31/2015 03:15:20 pm

Door trims, seat cushions, spare tire covers and boot liners are among the parts that the Japanese firm now makes with materials derived from natural sources, such as the castor oil plant.

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best new cars link
5/8/2015 02:15:37 am

Funny Toyota Aygo is made of foodstuffs, it looks like if I could have it be my home infested with rats.

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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