2002 Ford MA Concept

Ford Motor Company Vice President of Design J Mays will debut his latest concept offering at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles as part of an exhibit dedicated to his work.

The MA, with its architectural, minimalist appearance, poses what an automotive aesthetic might look like in the future, said Mays. This car is hard to pin down-and that’s what the MA is all about. It’s about proposing solutions that are not obvious, that are between our traditional visions for a car.

Designed totally on a computer, the MA uses a futuristic combination of materials: bamboo, aluminum and carbon fiber. The car has no welds. Instead, 364 titanium bolts hold the MA together.

Environmental responsibility plays a key role in the MA. Bamboo, a regenerative grass that grows back every five years, figures prominently in the open-air design. Only a few parts are painted. There are no hydraulic fluids and none of the industrial adhesives typically used in automobiles, making the MA more than 96 percent recyclable. The MA concept uses a zero-emission, low-speed electric engine that has virtually no environmental impact. However, the car could also be outfitted with a small conventional gasoline engine.

Story by Ford.