Skip advert
Advertisement

Ford tries to get rid of new car smell

Ford patent application describes cars automatically driving into the sun, opening windows and running the fan to eliminate new car smell

Ford Focus Estate - front seats

‘New car smell’ may be an intrinsic part of the buying process for UK and American buyers, but Chinese buyers are understood to dislike the odour so much that Ford has filed a patent application to eliminate or reduce it.

New car smell is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emanating from plastics, leather and vinyl in a new car, plus adhesives, glass cleaners and sealants used in the manufacturing process.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best new car deals

The removal of these VOCs – and by extension the reduction of new car smell – can be accelerated by heat. To take advantage of this, Ford’s ‘Vehicle Odor Elimination’ patent application describes a system that automatically measures VOC levels shortly after a new car has been purchased. 

If these exceed a predetermined limit, the car will automatically find and drive itself to a sunny spot, open its windows and run its heater and ventilation fan to help clear the smell.

Ford hired a team of 18 smell assessors in July last year, with the experts based in the company’s Nanjing research facility in China. The company’s ‘golden noses’ carry out 300 tests each year, rating the pleasantness or unpleasantness of all materials used in a car.

Debbie Mielewski, a senior technical leader in materials sustainability at Ford, told Detroit Free Press: “While ‘new car smell’ is ingrained in American culture, we know Chinese customers dislike that scent. This patent is the result of years of research and is just one idea we are considering for future use”.

Do you like the new car smell? Let us know your thoughts below...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 10k miles a year in Cupra’s Terramar for under £300 a month
Cupra Terramar - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: 10k miles a year in Cupra’s Terramar for under £300 a month

The Cupra Terramar is an appealing family SUV that looks stylish but offers plenty of practicality. It’s our Deal of the Day for July 5
News
5 Jul 2025
New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life
Volvo XC60 facelift - front tracking

New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life

This refreshed Swedish SUV focuses on familiar areas of strength to take on BMW and Audi
Road tests
4 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month
MG ZS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: MG ZS gives a big SUV feel for a miniscule £194 a month

The MG ZS is an easy car to like and live with. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 July
News
3 Jul 2025