Recycled paper honeycomb material give the new Ford EcoSport four-way parcel shelf what is claimed to be exceptional strength. The adjustable cargo floorboard is made from all-natural paper and water-based glue. Ford says the six-pound honeycomb floorboard can handle nearly 700 pounds of cargo. The technology came from honeybees, and was first introduced in household door manufacturing 50 years ago. It is now used in automotive and furniture design, as well as packaging. (Ford Rouge Complex Hosting 80,000 Honeybees)
“Customers can slide the shelf into multiple different slots like an oven rack; even store it on the back of the seats,” said Mike Mazzella, Ford EcoSport assistant chief engineer.
Configurations
The parcel shelf can hold any of four positions in the cargo area to best suit a driver’s needs:
- In the lowest position, it serves as a load floor for maximum storage
- In the middle position, it creates a secure storage area beneath the floorboard
- In the high position, the area underneath increases to create a cargo floor that lines up with the fold-flat second-row seats
- Removed and stored vertically against the back of the second-row seats
See: https://youtu.be/WMueZDcu93o
