Morrissey Wants GM to Offer Vegan Interiors; GM Says 'How Soon Is Now?'
In a letter addressed to General Motors CEO Mary Barra, renowned complainer singer Morrissey requested that the company offer vegan leather interiors for the Chevrolet Volt and upcoming Bolt EV. The request is part of a PETA campaign aimed at curbing leather production, helping electric car buyers enjoy all of the pleasures associated with animal skin seats without any of the guilt.
However, it turns out that General Motors already had something in the works.
Published in the Detroit Metro Times, the letter suggests “Given that the Volt and Bolt are being marketed to eco-conscious buyers, entirely vegan options would only broaden their appeal.”
Tesla offers a vegan-friendly interior and luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus provide faux leather alternatives.
Morrissey’s letter cited a recent PETA investigation into the punishing conditions cattle were subjected to at the Brazilian ranches that supply leather to Volkswagen, Toyota, and GM. Since the investigation, PETA has urged its members to encourage automakers to replace leather interiors with a vegan substitute so consumers “can easily make the compassionate choice for animals.”
The Smiths’ former vocalist is doing just that, claiming in the letter that, “A staggering 51 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions are caused by animal agriculture. Animal skins also have to be treated with a toxic soup of chemicals in order to keep them from decomposing, and runoff from leather tanneries poisons vital waterways.”
Responding to the PETA campaign, GM spokesman Nick Richards said the company has “very specific guidelines for our suppliers that require them to follow all local laws and regulations,” in addition to prohibiting animal abuse.
“All the leather we use in our vehicles is a byproduct of some other use of the animal,” Richards said. “So those animals are not raised specifically for their leather.”
And, regarding requests that General Motors provide a vegan leather option for Bolt and Volt interiors, Richards said most GM vehicles already have non-leather options.
The industry term for those non-leather interiors is “cloth”, which has been around for quite some time.
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I owned a 1963 blue and white Rambler 770 with original factory blue and white plaid woven nylon/vinyl seat covers. That's more practical than real or fake leather. It was cooler in Summer, less cold in Winter, easy to clean, and very durable. That's real luxury.
Take a look at some o the old genuine wool broadcloth interiors on classics. 60-70-80 year old wool in great shape. More durable and more elegant than leather. And cool in summer and warm in winter. And then there's mohair . . . . bring 'em back. Leather belongs in mid level compacts these days.