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Automotive brand Mini says it will no longer use leather in its cars’ interior on future models.
The company will instead use a 100 percent recycled fabric for its seats, and a 70 percent recycled fabric for the lining underneath.
‘We don’t need leather anymore’
Oliver Heilmer is Mini’s Head of Design. Speaking to Autocar, he said: “We don’t need leather any more in the future, because we don’t believe it’s sustainable.
“We’re totally convinced that we will have modern and high-value products without leather… We’re looking to create a timeless design. A one-season design, like fashion, isn’t our aim with the design of future Minis.”
Mini’s ‘luxurious’ fabrics
Heilmer also said that the new materials are made from recycled fabrics ‘they’re luxurious at the same time and inventive in terms of function’.
“For instance, we used cork in the Urbanaut concept,” he added. The aesthetics will be coming more from a home perspective, rather than an automotive one.”
Vegan cars
Animal-rights charity PETA states eve cars with leather-free interior may not be vegan.
This is because other components of the vehicle, such as adhesives, can be made of animal-derived materials.
The organization recommends consumers to ‘contact each manufacturer directly to confirm that all components are entirely animal-free’.
