Ford finds way to use soy oil in car rubber

DEARBORN, Mich.

Ford Motor Co. says it has developed a new rubber for car parts that uses soy oil to improve the stretchability of the material and reduce the use of petroleum in rubber.

The automaker said Wednesday that it will apply for a patent for the rubber that can be used in parts such as deflector shields and baffles, cup holders inserts and floor mats.

Ford said that replacing up to 25 percent of the petroleum used in rubber with soy oil can double the stretchability of the material. The company already uses soy oil in seat cushions, seatbacks and vehicle headliners in models such as the Ford Escape and Ford Mustang.

For shares rose 28 cents, or 2.76 percent, to $10.44 in afternoon trading.