Fords new 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine has received international acclaim by winning the 2012 "International Engine of the Year" award for its outstanding fuel economy.

You might have heard that chocolate has more antioxidants than strawberries and helps to relax blood pressure and lower cholesterol.  Well, we've got a new one for you...one we can actually verify. Ford has been inspired by the tasty treat to develop lighter plastic parts for Ford vehicles. This news is not only interesting, but positions Ford a leading innovator in the worldwide auto industry.

How did Ford do it? After scrutinizing an Aero chocolate bar, the American automaker decided to try introducing gas bubbles into plastic as it was molded. The addition of gas bubbles resulted in…

No, inflatable seatbelts are not meant to be used as floatation devices. Thought judging solely by the name, that would be a good guess. Rather they are designed to offer back seat passengers additional protection during a car crash.

The inspiration for Ford's inflatable seatbelts (which made their debut in the 2010 Explorer SUV) came from an existing safety device proven to protect front passengers: the airbag. Covered in super-soft webbing, the inflatable variety…